Before being able to recruit and hire skilled international candidates for their companies, Canadian employers must qualify for international recruitment by fulfilling a number of requirements. This article will explain some of these requirements as well as how these requirements may vary based on a Canadian company’s field of business.
Business Requirements for International Recruitment (Canada)
There are many different requirements for businesses looking to recruit internationally. These requirements may vary by the positions your company is hiring for, location in Canada, industry, etc. Regardless, all businesses have general rules to follow when it comes to international recruitment to ensure that the recruiting and hiring process runs efficiently.
Here are some main business requirements for international recruitment:
- Business validity: The business must be legitimate, meaning its operations must adhere to applicable laws in the country, province, municipality, etc. that the business resides in. Legitimate businesses must also adhere to foreign laws for business operations and outputs.
- Job offer validity: The business must be genuinely in need of workers to fulfill vacant roles within the company. Any job postings must clearly and accurately state the responsibilities of the position and not include any misleading information. Upon extending a job offer to an international candidate, the business must verify that it is capable of fulfilling the employment terms stated in the employment offer.
- Local recruitment: The business must try recruiting locally (within the country of Canada) before seeking workers outside of the country.
- Working conditions: The business must adhere to both federal and provincial standards for optimal working conditions. Any international candidates the company seeks to hire should not receive less favorable treatment than local Canadian workers. Other requirements vary depending on the wage requirements of the job position as well as a foreign worker’s need for housing, transportation, insurance, etc.
In order to prove that they meet all these requirements, Canadian companies must complete and submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document evaluates whether or not there is a need for a job to be filled within a Canadian business or company. A positive LMIA (sometimes referred to as a confirmation letter) shows that a foreign worker is needed for the job, as there are no Canadian workers or permanent residents available to fill the job position.
Job- and Industry-Specific International Recruitment Requirements (Canada)
Many job industries in Canada qualify for international recruitment, including farming and agriculture, tech, teaching, and more. Examples of companies that recruit internationally (from Canada and other countries) include:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- IBM
For permanent jobs, businesses looking to hire permanent international workers for their job vacancies must be in business for at least one (1) year. This requirement shows that the business is established and can support a foreign worker’s application for residency. These requirements may not apply for positions filled through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.
International recruitment requirements may also be specific to certain jobs and industries. For example:
- Truck Drivers: Companies hiring foreign workers for truck driving roles must comply with safety standards and regulations for commercial trucks in Canada.
- Agricultural Workers: Companies hiring on-farm agricultural workers from various agricultural LMIA streams must operate within specific agricultural sectors (ex. fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, poultry, apiary products). Foreign workers should engage in farm, nursery, or greenhouse tasks, such as operating machinery, handling animals, or planting and harvesting crops. In addition, seasonal workers from Mexico and select Caribbean countries can be hired for periods of up to eight months.
- Specialized Talent/Technology Workers: Companies hiring specialized talent and for tech roles must demonstrate the potential benefits to the Canadian labor market when hiring under the Global Talent Stream LMIA. Certain exemptions are available within this stream.
To learn more about Canada’s requirements for international recruitment, visit Canada’s official website.
How Can I Recruit Foreign Workers for My Canadian Business?
With the help of No Limit to Canada, you can recruit the best global talent from a vast network of international candidates in your industry, gaining immediate access to potential hires that will greatly benefit your business. No Limit to Canada streamlines the international hiring process by saving you money and resources, minimizing administrative burdens, and offering valuable advice and support from start to finish.
Give us a call at 888-391-1115 or contact us via email at info@nolimittocanada.com. We are available to answer all your questions on international recruitment and help you hire the ideal international candidates for your Canadian business.