How to get Canadian Work Permit | Canadian Significant Benefit Work Permit
Candidates for the SBWP will not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as part of the International Mobility Program (IMP). Using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canada conducts an internal study known as the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to determine the impact hiring a foreign worker would have on the Canadian labor market.
The SBWP stream is intended for situations where an LMIA would typically be necessary, but practical concerns (extended LMIA processing timeframes) or a lack of an adequate application stream make this impractical. This is done so that Canada can still benefit from the foreign worker’s presence. Significant in this context includes—but is not limited to—advancement of a Canadian industry, broad economic support for Canada, improvement of Canadians’ health and well-being, etc.
Canadian Work Permit Eligibility Criteria
You must demonstrate that your arrival would benefit Canada economically, socially, or culturally if you want to apply for an SBWP. If you are successful in doing this, the standard decision elements for granting a work permit (such as effects on the Canadian labor market, demands of Canadian consumers, etc.) will be skewed in your favor.
In order to establish your eligibility as a candidate who could significantly benefit Canada, you will also need to present proof (as appropriate), demonstrating that you are, among other things:
- Accredited by an academic institution in or relating to your professional area of expertise;
- A Recipient of a national/international awards or patents;
- Are a member of an organization that requires excellence of their members; and/or
- That you serve in a leadership position in your organization with a distinguished position.
Consideration Factors
As a candidate for the SBWP, you must demonstrate your distinction in your profession as well as how working and living in Canada would further the nation’s economic, social, or cultural well-being.
Economic consideration factors
These include:
- Preventing the disruption of employment for Canadians or permanent residents;
- Advancing Canadian industry through market expansion, job creation, and product/service innovation; and/or
- Providing economic stimulus to remote areas.
- Preventing the disruption of employment for Canadians or permanent residents;
- Advancing Canadian industry through market expansion, job creation, and product/service innovation; and/or
- Providing economic stimulus to remote areas.
Social benefit considerations
These include the applicant’s ability to:
- Address health and safety threats to Canadians and permanent residences;
- Strengthening social inclusion in communities; and/or
- Developing products that will assist in improving environmental considerations.
Cultural benefit considerations
These include whether the applicant is or has been:
- A member of peer review panels or authorities to judge the work of others;
- Recognized by their peers, governmental organizations, or business/professional associations for contributions to their field; and/or
- Are renowned for their artistic and cultural endeavors.
Required Documentation
The procedure for submitting an application for an SWP is the same as that of a standard work permit.
You must give the following documentation to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order to submit an application for an SBWP:
- LMIA exempt offer of employment submitted in the Employer portal or by approved alternate submission as per note on Client screen;
- Proof of accreditation, experience, and/or high-level competence in the applicant’s field of work;
- A fully completed application on IRCC’s Global Case Management System (GCMS). GCMS is the universal applicant database platform where all cases handled by the IRCC are kept. You will need to enter specific information into the application work-permit portal
- Proof of employer compliance fee payment; and
- Detailed evidence of how the foreign national’s work provides significant benefit economically, socially, or culturally.
Popular use cases for the SBWP
A few of the most frequent recipients of an SBWP are:
Intra-company transferees, frequently foreign nationals working for multinational corporations and looking to enter Canada (in an executive, senior manager, or specialized role);
Workers in television and film production whose roles are essential to production; Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals; and Emergency repair personnel who work on industrial or commercial equipment.
