Navigating Canada's Updated LMIA Policies: What Employers Need to Know in 2025

Canada's 2025 Work Permit Policy: Greater Job Flexibility for Foreign Workers On May 27, 2025 , Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a pivotal update to its work permit policy that could significantly improve job flexibility for temporary foreign workers in Canada. This policy is designed to help foreign workers transition more easily between employers while reducing the bureaucratic delays that previously made job changes difficult. What’s New? Under the new temporary public policy, eligible foreign nationals already in Canada on an employer-specific (closed) work permit can now begin working for a new employer immediately after submitting a new work permit application—before receiving approval. This means workers no longer need to wait weeks or months for IRCC processing before starting new employment, as long as they meet specific criteria and receive interim authorization. Don't get too excited - this policy has been in place since Covid. We're not really clear what's entirely different? Key Eligibility Requirements To qualify under this new policy, the worker must: -Be physically present in Canada at the time of application. -Hold or have held a valid employer-specific work permit. -Have submitted an employer-specific work permit application under section 200 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). -Intend to work for a new employer who has obtained a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or is eligible under an LMIA-exempt stream. -Follow the proper process to request interim work authorization. How Does It Work? Once the worker submits the new employer-specific work permit application, they must then request interim authorization from IRCC to begin working while the application is processed. This is a crucial step—starting work without this interim approval is not permitted. Why This Matters This update is part of Canada’s broader strategy to: -Support labor market needs across provinces and territories facing worker shortages. -Protect temporary foreign workers by reducing their dependence on a single employer. -Speed up transitions and reduce financial hardship caused by processing delays. A Win for Employers and Employees For employers, this means faster onboarding of experienced candidates already in the country. For workers, it removes the burden of lengthy unemployment gaps and improves overall job mobility—something that’s been long advocated for in Canadian immigration circles. Again, bare with me. I have no idea how this is any different from what already exists. Good Ol' IRCC for you. 

IRCC Introduces Major Changes to Maintained Status for Temporary Residents in 2025 On May 28, 2025 , Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented notable policy changes that significantly impact how maintained status applies to temporary residents in Canada. These revisions are particularly relevant for individuals on study permits, work permits, and visitor visas who submit applications to extend their stay in Canada. What Is Maintained Status? Maintained status allows foreign nationals in Canada to legally remain and continue their previously authorized activities (such as working or studying) while they await a decision on their extension application—provided the application was submitted before the current permit expired. What Has Changed? 1. Clarification on Multiple Applications A key change in the 2025 update is how maintained status is handled when multiple extension applications are submitted. While applicants were previously uncertain whether submitting a second extension application affected their status, IRCC has now clarified that maintained status continues to apply only to the initial application filed before permit expiry. Any additional applications do not extend or reset maintained status. 2. Leaving Canada Voids Maintained Status Temporary residents under maintained status who leave Canada before their new permit is approved will lose their legal right to continue working or studying upon return. Re-entering Canada does not reinstate maintained status—they must wait for the new permit to be issued before resuming authorized activities. 3. Each Family Member Must Apply Separately If family members (e.g., spouses or children) also wish to maintain their status, they must submit their own extension applications individually. Status is not automatically extended by association with the principal applicant. 4. If Your Application Is Refused If an extension application is refused, maintained status ends immediately. The individual must stop working or studying at once. They may be eligible to apply for restoration of status, but this must be done within 90 days of the refusal notice. 5. Documentation and Proof Individuals on maintained status should keep proof of their expired permit and submission confirmation (such as an Acknowledgment of Receipt or payment receipt from IRCC) in case they need to demonstrate their legal right to remain in Canada during processing. Why These Changes Matter These updates provide clarity for temporary residents navigating Canada’s immigration system and underscore the importance of timing, documentation, and understanding the limits of maintained status. IRCC's revised guidelines help ensure that individuals do not unknowingly fall out of status or violate the terms of their stay—particularly if they are relying on maintained status to continue working or studying. If you're unsure how these changes apply to your situation or need help maintaining or restoring your legal status in Canada, reach out to Foothills Immigration anytime.

Shortly after Canada’s immigration pilot programs for care workers began accepting permanent residence applications, the system crashed. The frustration is real. The highly anticipated programs, designed to provide a pathway to permanent residence for foreign care workers already in Canada, quickly descended into chaos. With limited spots available, applications opened at 10 am ET on Monday March 31, 2025. However, as soon as the Immigration Department’s application portal was activated, it became unresponsive. “As soon as it hit 10 a.m. Eastern time, the system crashed,” said applicants who spent two hours attempting to upload their files, describing the situation as “mayhem.” Some were unable to log in at all, while others were repeatedly kicked out. Many found themselves stuck refreshing their browsers, hoping for a chance to submit their applications. By the afternoon of March 31, 2025—the same day applications opened—the Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Caregiver Class (HCWP:CC) had already reached its cap for online applications. However, alternative formats, such as paper, braille, and large-print applications, were still being accepted. Typically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires applicants to apply via the online permanent residence portal. Alternative formats are only available for those who cannot apply online due to specific accessibility needs.  This year’s application cap was 2,750, with 150 spots reserved for out-of-status workers. The federal government is expected to reopen the pilot next year. So far, only the stream for applicants currently working in Canada has opened. As of now, the government has not announced when the stream for applicants not working in Canada will begin. Like most federal immigration pilot programs, the HCWP:CC is scheduled to run for five years. Critics argue that the chaos was entirely predictable and question why the Immigration Department did not implement a lottery system. Such a system, they say, would have allowed applicants more time to properly submit their applications before being randomly selected from the pool.

Canada to Accept 10,000 Parents and Grandparents Program Applications in 2025 The Canadian government has announced its plans to accept up to 10,000 new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025 . In total, 25,000 applications are expected to be processed, combining new submissions and those carried over from previous years. PGP Application Process for 2025 The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue selecting sponsors from the existing pool of interest-to-sponsor forms submitted in 2020. This means that no new interest-to-sponsor forms will be accepted in 2025. Instead, IRCC will invite individuals who previously submitted their interest to apply and give them a specific timeframe to complete and submit their sponsorship applications. Processing Times and Requirements Processing times for the Parents and Grandparents Program applications vary: Outside Quebec : Approximately 24 months Canada's PGP Immigration Targets According to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to welcome the following number of new permanent residents under the PGP: 24,500 in 2025 21,500 in 2026 20,000 in 2027 In 2024, Canada welcomed 27,290 new permanent residents through the PGP. Super Visa: An Alternative Option For those not selected under the PGP, Canada offers the Super Visa as an alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to:  Stay in Canada for up to five years per visit Apply for extensions of up to two additional years Make multiple visits over a ten-year period The Super Visa is an attractive option as it provides long-term visits without requiring sponsors to meet the same financial obligations as under the PGP. Eligibility to Sponsor Under PGP To qualify as a sponsor for the Parents and Grandparents Program , applicants must meet the following requirements: Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident Be 18 years or older Reside in Canada Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for the past three tax years Agree to provide financial support for the sponsored parent(s) or grandparent(s) for 20 years How many PGP applications will be accepted in 2025? Canada will accept up to 25,000 PGP sponsorship applications for processing in 2025. This includes leftover applications from 2024 and 10,000 new applications submitted in 2025. Can I apply if I did not submit an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020? No. IRCC is only selecting sponsors from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool. If you didn’t submit a form in 2020, you cannot be considered for the 2025 intake. How long does it take to process a PGP application? PGP applications take about 24 months to process outside Quebec and about 48 months for applicants going to Quebec. Times may vary depending on volume and completeness. What is the Super Visa and who can apply? The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit and re-enter multiple times for up to 10 years. It’s a good option for those not selected in the PGP. What are the income requirements to sponsor under PGP? Sponsors must meet the MNI for the past three tax years. Income levels vary depending on family size and are published annually by IRCC. Co-signers are allowed. Conclusion With a limited number of invitations being issued under the PGP 2025, many applicants will need to explore alternative options like the Super Visa. The government’s continued reliance on the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool means that those who have not previously submitted an expression of interest will not have an opportunity to apply under this program. For individuals looking to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada, it is essential to stay informed about available pathways and prepare for upcoming sponsorship opportunities.

Additional eligibility for out-of-status workers and previous applicants 

Home care workers can now access more information about the upcoming pathways to Canadian permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared additional details about the upcoming Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), including reduced eligibility criteria for language proficiency, work experience, and education requirements for applicants. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will offer two Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt immigration pathways, enabling foreign home care workers to secure employment and permanent residence (PR) upon their arrival in Canada. These pathways are set to launch on March 31, 2025. IRCC clarified that the HCWP will initially accept applications only from candidates currently in Canada. Those outside Canada will be able to apply at a later date. Further details regarding the HCWP pathways have been provided by IRCC: The specific streams available within the HCWP Eligibility criteria for language proficiency, work experience, and job offers HCWP eligibility for out-of-status workers in Canada Guidance for applicants to the previously closed Home Child Care Worker and Home Support Worker Pilots What are the streams for the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots? Foreign nationals can apply to the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) under two streams: The Workers in Canada stream The Applicants not working in Canada stream When the program opens at the end of March, only the Workers in Canada stream will begin accepting applications. The Applicants not working in Canada stream will start accepting applications later in the year. IRCC recommends that potential applicants to the Workers in Canada stream complete an approved language test and have their education assessed through an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) in preparation for the HCWP's March opening. Details about the application process for the Applicants not working in Canada stream have not yet been released. More information will be provided by IRCC as it becomes available. Who is eligible for the HCWP? Work experience Six months of recent, relevant work; OR A credential of at least six months of related home care training. Language proficiency CLB 4 or higher in English or French. Job offer Must have a job offer from either A private household OR An organization* that directly hires full-time home care workers to provide short-term or occasional home care. Education Secondary school diploma. In addition to the criteria mentioned above, home care workers must also intend to reside in a Canadian province other than Quebec to be eligible for these new streams. Candidates who meet the work experience requirement can have obtained this experience either in Canada or abroad. Job Offer Conditions Foreign nationals applying to the HCWP may hold a job offer from any of the following organizations: Home health care service providers Home care support service providers Direct care agencies Personal care services in residential settings Pediatric home health care service providers Job offers from recruitment and placement agencies are not eligible. It is important to note that a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required to support these job offers. Additional Eligibility for Out-of-Status Workers and Previous Applicants IRCC has extended eligibility for the HCWP to home care workers in Canada who are currently out of status. These individuals may still be eligible to apply under the HCWP due to a public policy, with a limited number of spots available for this group. Furthermore, some previous applicants to the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots (which were closed in June 2024) may continue to apply under the previous pathways. Newcomers who applied under the "Gaining Experience" category of the old pilots before June 2024, and who have since accumulated enough eligible work experience, can submit proof of their experience to IRCC in order to have their permanent residence (PR) application considered. Please reach out to us anytime at [email protected]

Individuals applying for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) can now refer to a list of regions where applications will not be processed. As of August 26, 2024, the federal government has ceased processing LMIAs for the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. As of January 10, the government has shared a list of CMAs with unemployment rates over 6%. This table will be updated every three months, with the next update coming on April 4, 2025. As of January 10, the government has identified 15 CMAs with unemployment rates 6% or higher. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 6% Saint John, New Brunswick 6.1% Montréal, Quebec 6.2% Oshawa, Ontario 7.5% Toronto, Ontario 7.9% Hamilton, Ontario 6.3% St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario 6.2% Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario 7.3% Guelph, Ontario 6.2% London, Ontario 6.4% Windsor, Ontario 8.8% Barrie, Ontario 6% Regina, Saskatchewan 6.1% Calgary, Alberta 7.5% Edmonton, Alberta 6.8% How do I know if a work location is in a CMA? To determine whether your job falls into one of these CMAs Enter the complete postal code of the work location at Census of Population ; and Under the Geography search results page, look for “Census metropolitan area/ Census agglomeration.” The web page will show which CMA your job is in, and you can see whether that CMA is on the list. What If the Position Is in a CMA with an Unemployment Rate Above 6%? Before submitting an LMIA application, both employers and employees should check the unemployment rate of the census metropolitan area (CMA) where the job is located to determine whether the application will be processed. Options for Employers: If the job is in a CMA with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, employers can increase the wage to meet the high-wage stream requirements, making the position eligible under that category. Options for Employees: If a job offer falls under the low-wage stream in an affected CMA, employees can ask their employers if they are willing to wait three months to see if the CMA’s unemployment rate changes before applying for an LMIA. Those still searching for a job under the low-wage stream of the TFWP should focus on CMAs where LMIAs are still being processed. For Current Low-Wage TFWP Workers: Workers on a low-wage TFWP permit who cannot extend their permit due to these changes must stop working once their status expires. If they wish to remain in Canada, they can apply for a visitor record to stay as a visitor. Reach us anytime and we're happy to assist. Foothills Immigration.

The Canadian federal government has released a list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that remain eligible for spousal open work permits (SOWPs). On January 14, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that spouses of foreign workers will now only qualify for an SOWP if the principal applicant is employed in: A TEER 0 occupation A TEER 1 occupation Specific TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations Additionally, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for an SOWP. These changes took effect on January 21. However, they do not impact existing valid work permits issued under previous policies, nor do they affect eligible renewals of such permits. Previously, spouses of foreign workers could obtain an SOWP regardless of the foreign worker’s occupation. Below is the list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that continue to qualify for spousal open work permits. TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) is the classification system used by the Canadian federal government to define skill levels within the National Occupational Classification (NOC). TEER 0 represents the highest-skilled occupations, while TEER 5 includes the lowest-skilled roles. TEER 2 jobs still eligible for a family OWP NOC group 22 - Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors 22313 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics 22312 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) 22311 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians 22310 Construction estimators 22303 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians 22302 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians 22301 Civil engineering technologists and technicians 22300 Construction inspectors 22233 Occupational health and safety specialists 22232 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers 22231 Non-destructive testers and inspectors 22230 Information systems testing technicians 22222 User support technicians 22221 Computer network and web technicians 22220 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology 22214 Land survey technologists and technicians 22213 Drafting technologists and technicians 22212 Industrial designers 22211 Architectural technologists and technicians 22210 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists 22114 Conservation and fishery officers 22113 Forestry technologists and technicians 22112 Agricultural and fish products inspectors 22111 Biological technologists and technicians 22110 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians 22101 Chemical technologists and technicians 22100 NOC group 32 - Technical Occupations in Health Opticians 32100 Licensed practical nurses 32101 Paramedical occupations 32102 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32103 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians 32104 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 32109 Denturists 32110 Dental hygienists and dental therapists 32111 Dental technologists and technicians 32112 Medical laboratory technologists 32120 Medical radiation technologists 32121 Medical sonographers 32122 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists 32123 Pharmacy technicians 32124 Other medical technologists and technicians 32129 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists 32200 Massage therapists 32201 Other practitioners of natural healing 32209 NOC group 42 - Front-Line Public Protection Services and Paraprofessional Occupations in Legal, Social, Community, Education Services Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces 42102 Early childhood educators and assistants 42202 NOC group 72 - Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations 72010 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations 72011 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades 72012 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades 72013 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers 72014 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades 72020 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews 72021 Supervisors, printing and related occupations 72022 Supervisors, railway transport operations 72023 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators 72024 Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations 72025 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 72100 Tool and die makers 72101 Sheet metal workers 72102 Boilermakers 72103 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters 72104 Ironworkers 72105 Welders and related machine operators 72106 Electricians (except industrial and power system) 72200 Industrial electricians 72201 Power system electricians 72202 Electrical power line and cable workers 72203 Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers 72204 Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians 72205 Plumbers 72300 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers 72301 Gas fitters 72302 Carpenters 72310 Cabinetmakers 72311 Bricklayers 72320 Insulators 72321 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72400 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 72401 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 72402 Railway carmen/women 72403 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors 72404 Machine fitters 72405 Elevator constructors and mechanics 72406 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers 72410 Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators 72411 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics 72420 Appliance servicers and repairers 72421 Electrical mechanics 72422 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics 72423 Other small engine and small equipment repairers 72429 Crane operators 72500 Water well drillers 72501 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 72600 Air traffic controllers and related occupations 72601 Deck officers, water transport 72602 Engineer officers, water transport 72603 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators 72604 Other technical trades and related occupations 72999 NOC group 82 - Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production Supervisors, logging and forestry 82010 Supervisors, mining and quarrying 82020 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services 82021 Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors 82030 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services 82031 TEER 3 jobs still eligible for a family OWP NOC group 33 - Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants 33100 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33101 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 33102 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants 33103 Other assisting occupations in support of health services 33109 NOC group 43 - Assisting Occupations in Education and in Legal and Public Protection Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants 43100 Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces 43204 NOC group 53 - Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport Athletes 53200 Coaches 53201 NOC group 73 - General Trades Concrete finishers 73100 Tilesetters 73101 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers 73102 Roofers and shinglers 73110 Glaziers 73111 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators 73112 Floor covering installers 73113 Residential and commercial installers and servicers 73200 General building maintenance workers and building superintendents 73201 Pest controllers and fumigators 73202 Other repairers and servicers 73209 Transport truck drivers 73300 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators 73301 Railway and yard locomotive engineers 73310 Railway conductors and brakemen/women 73311 Heavy equipment operators 73400 Printing press operators 73401 Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction 73402 NOC group 83 - Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production Underground production and development miners 83100 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers 83101 Logging machinery operators 83110 Fishing masters and officers 83120 Fishermen/women 83121 

Canada is set to launch the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots on March 31, 2025 , replacing the previous Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which concluded on June 17, 2024. These new programs aim to streamline the immigration process for caregivers, offering a more direct pathway to permanent residency. Expected Application Quota for 2025 While the total annual application intake for the previous pilots was capped at 5,500, the broader pilot category's quota, as outlined in Canada's 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, will see a slight reduction from 10,920 in 2024 to 10,875 in 2025. It is anticipated that the new caregiver pilots will maintain a similar application allotment, estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 for 2025. Enhanced Features and Eligibility Criteria The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots introduce several key enhancements: Permanent Residency Upon Arrival : Caregivers will receive permanent resident status immediately upon their arrival in Canada, eliminating previous uncertainties and delays. Flexible Employment Opportunities : Participants can work with organizations that provide temporary or part-time care to semi-independent individuals or those recovering from illness or injury, broadening employment prospects. Eligibility Requirements : Language Proficiency : A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 is required. Educational Qualifications : Applicants must hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Relevant Work Experience : Recent and pertinent work experience is essential. Job Offer : A full-time job offer from a Canadian family or within Canada's home care sector is necessary. Significance of the New Pilots With Canada's aging population and an increased emphasis on community-based care, there is a growing demand for professional caregivers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots aim to: Provide a reliable immigration pathway for caregivers. Support families and communities by ensuring access to high-quality home care services. Attract skilled workers who can contribute to Canada's economy and social well-being. These initiatives reflect Canada's commitment to addressing labor shortages in the caregiving sector while offering caregivers a clear and efficient route to permanent residency. If you need assistance with this program, don’t hesitate to contact Foothills Immigration. We provide professional immigration advice and guidance to support you every step of the way.