Canada is expanding the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP), which simplifies the process of hiring foreign workers.
The REP allows eligible Canadian employers to cut through some of the red tape associated with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW). It allows employers, with a history of program compliance, to gain access to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) that are valid for up to 36 months and a simplified LMIA application, should they need to hire additional workers from the same occupation during the duration of the pilot—which will be three years.
As of January 2024, Canada has added 84 new occupations to the REP:
REP Eligible Occupations Phase II
NOC code 2021 | Occupation |
---|---|
20010 | Engineering managers |
20011 | Architecture and science managers |
21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
21200 | Architects |
21201 | Landscape architects |
21202 | Urban and land use planners |
21203 | Land surveyors |
31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
31101 | Specialists in surgery |
31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
31103 | Veterinarians |
31111 | Optometrists |
31201 | Chiropractors |
31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
31121 | Dieticians and nutritionists |
31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
31202 | Physiotherapists |
32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
31203 | Occupational therapists |
31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
32122 | Medical sonographers |
32110 | Denturists |
32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
32102 | Paramedical occupations |
33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
31200 | Psychologists |
41301 | Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
41310 | Police investigators and other investigative occupations |
44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
65310 | Light-duty cleaners |
63100 | Insurance agents and brokers |
62020 | Food service supervisors |
62200 | Chefs |
63200 | Cooks |
63201 | Butchers – Retail and wholesale |
65202 | Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale |
64100 | Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers |
65200 | Food and beverage servers |
65201 | Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations |
72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
72310 | Carpenters |
72311 | Cabinetmakers |
72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
72405 | Machine fitters |
72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
72420 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
72421 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
72422 | Electrical mechanics |
72423 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
72429 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
73200 | Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
73300 | Transport truck drivers |
85100 | Livestock labourers |
85101 | Harvesting labourers |
84120 | Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators |
85103 | Nursery and greenhouse labourers |
85102 | Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers |
85120 | Logging and forestry labourers |
94141 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers |
94142 | Fish and seafood plant workers |
94210 | Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors |
94211 | Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products |
95100 | Labourers in mineral and metal processing |
95101 | Labourers in metal fabrication |
95102 | Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities |
95103 | Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing |
95104 | Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing |
95106 | Labourers in food and beverage processing |
95107 | Labourers in fish and seafood processing |
REP Occupations Phase I
NOC code 2021 | Occupation |
---|---|
85100 | Livestock labourers |
85101 | Harvesting labourers |
84120 | Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators |
85103 | Nursery and greenhouse labourers |
To be eligible, employers need to have secured at least three positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the same occupation over the past five years.
The pilot was originally unveiled by Canada’s minister of employment, Randy Boissonnault, on August 8, 2023. It comes in response to the challenges many Canadian employers are encountering in filling essential job positions.
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“The Recognized Employer Pilot will cut red tape for eligible employers—those who demonstrate the highest level of protection for workers—and make it easier for them to access the labor they need to fill jobs that are essential to Canada’s economy and food security,” Minister Boissonnault stated in the August media release.
The REP was originally rolled out in two stages:
- Stage one beginning in September 2023, allowing employers in the Primary Agriculture stream to apply in time for the 2024 season.
- Stage two beginning in January 2024 and opens intake to all other industry sectors.
Applications for both streams have been open since September 2024.
How to know if an employer qualifies for REP
Employers who are eligible for the REP will have a designation that shows their recognized status to prospective workers.
The Canadian government’s website, Job Bank, allows you to search for jobs from Canadian employers who want to recruit temporary foreign workers. These Canadian employers have already received or applied for an LMIA. The website is currently posting more than open for foreigners who want to work in Canada.
You may also find jobs right here on the 鶹 website by using our Job Board.
Can I change jobs as a TFW in Canada?
While you do have the right to change employers, it may be difficult if you have a closed work permit. In that case, you may have to get an open work permit or a new closed work permit with another employer.
Remember: it is illegal for your employer to punish or deport you for looking for another job.
To assist you with the process of changing work permits, you may wish to hire a trusted immigration professional. Check out our list of recommended consultants.
How Canadian work experience can support immigration
Canadian work experience can open you up to a number of permanent residency programs, such as those under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
In addition, work experience in an eligible skilled occupation in Canada can increase your chances of immigrating through the Express Entry system, specifically through the Canadian Experience Class.
If you’re interested in moving to Canada but not sure which program you may be eligible for, check your eligibility for more than 20 different Canadian immigration programs by taking 鶹’s free Canada Immigration Quiz.
Want to be the first to find out about the latest Canadian immigration news? Create a free 鶹 account and sign up for our newsletter!
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