Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skill shortages.

You may be able to hire eligible foreign workers to work for you temporarily if you can prove that:

• you cannot find suitable Canadians or permanent residents to fill the jobs
• bringing the workers to Canada will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market, and
• you meet all other requirements and conditions.

Employers can hire workers abroad or already in Canada.

Examples of qualified foreign workers already in Canada include those who are about to complete a job contract with another employer or those holding an open work permit that allows the employee to work for any employer in Canada.

The program can be used to hire foreign workers for up to four years.

• Processing times: Vary depending on where and how the application is made.
• The foreign worker is responsible for the application process; however, the employer may need to seek approval from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) through a labour market opinion. This verifies that there is a need for a foreign worker and that there is no Canadian available. To find out what a foreign worker must do to come to Canada, see Working temporarily in Canada: Who can apply.

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Some temporary foreign workers can transition to permanent residence with the following programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Provincial Nominee Program