The employer's part of a C16 work permit

With C16, the employer does not need an LMIA, but there are required steps before the worker applies and obligations that last as long as the worker is employed.

Before the worker applies

According to IRCC's hiring instructions, the employer must:

• check that the candidate meets the C16 requirements (French at NCLC 5, work outside Quebec, an eligible occupation);
• sign in to or create an Employer Portal account;
• submit an offer of employment under LMIA exemption code C16;
• pay the CAD 230 employer compliance fee;
• give the candidate the 7-digit offer of employment number and the signed job offer.

The offer of employment includes details about the business, the worker, the job, the wage and benefits.

Obligations after hiring

IRCC lists the obligations of employers hiring through the International Mobility Program, including:

• checking the worker's permit and knowing its expiry date;
• the right occupation, duties matching the NOC code, the location and the period stated on the permit;
• wages and working conditions equal to or better than the submitted offer;
• health insurance and workers' compensation coverage where the province requires it;
• following federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws;
• a workplace free of physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, with no reprisal against whistle-blowers;
• taking part in inspections and providing the documents requested.

Employers must keep documents about the worker's employment for 6 years from the date the work permit was issued.

Benefits IRCC lists for employers

• Serving clients in both official languages.
• Hiring without an LMIA.
• Access to new markets and international networks.
• Support from Francophone networks such as the Francophone Immigration Networks and RDÉE.

What the worker should check

• The employer is real and active, and its contact details match the business name.
• Whether the employer appears on IRCC's public list of non-compliant employers.
• The job offer clearly states the occupation, wage, hours and location.

Note Employers may not charge workers for a job offer. The CAD 230 compliance fee is paid by the employer to the government.