The Recognized Employer Pilot Program in Canada enters its second phase

The Recognized Employer Pilot Program in Canada enters its second phase.

Canada is renowned for its welcoming stance towards immigrants and offers various immigration programs to cater to a diverse range of needs and qualifications. Understanding the types of immigration programs available in Canada is crucial for anyone considering making Canada their new home. A greater number of Canadian employers now have the opportunity to submit applications for the Recognized Employer Pilot Program (REP)

An employer may qualify for participation in the Recognized Employer Pilot Program (REP) by securing at least three favorable Labor Market Impact Assessments within the past five years. Additionally, they must be hiring Temporary Foreign Workers for positions listed as ‘in-shortage' based on data from COPS (Canadian Occupations Projection System).

Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), employers can bring in foreign nationals to address immediate workforce needs in Canada. The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) submitted by the employer to ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) verifies that there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents available for the job.

ESDC affirms that employers can also anticipate:

A simplified LMIA application process for future positions listed on the COPS.
Reduced interaction points between participating employers and ESDC during the pilot, facilitated by simplified LMIA forms. This allows employers to onboard more Temporary Foreign Workers with authentic employment offers within REP.
A Job Bank recognition indicating their acknowledged status to enhance interest among potential workers.

An expanded list of eligible professions is introduced in Phase 2.

The REP's first phase, introduced in September 2023 for primary agriculture sector employers, included just four professions.

Livestock labourers
Harvesting labourers
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
Nursery and greenhouse labourers

Phase 2 expands REP eligibility to over 80 in-demand professions across various sectors. Note: Professions eligible for Global Talent Stream work permits are excluded, as they already benefit from expedited processing.

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our free assessment! A member of the ITC Immigration Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

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Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Canadian employers looking to hire through the TFWP must submit an LMIA to ESDC, where the department evaluates the impact on Canada's labor market and economy. If the assessment is neutral or positive, the employer can likely proceed with recruiting foreign workers.

Employees hired through the TFWP receive closed work permits, preventing them from working for another employer in Canada. ESDC conducts checks to ensure employer compliance with conditions, including adherence to provincial and territorial employment regulations, payment consistency with the employment contract, and the provision of safe working conditions free from abuse.

84 eligible occupations are recognized for the Recognized Employer Pilot program.

From January 2024 onward, applications will be open for positions listed in Phase 2 of Service Canada's Recognized Employer Pilot (REP). These occupations have been identified as in-demand with an inadequate domestic labor supply.

84 Recognized Occupations in REP Program
NOC2021	Occupations
20010	Engineering managers
20011	Architecture and science managers
21321	Industrial and manufacturing engineers
21322	Metallurgical and materials engineers
21200	Architects
21201	Landscape architects
21202	Urban and land use planners
21203	Land surveyors
31300	Nursing coordinators and supervisors
31301	Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
31100	Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
31101	Specialists in surgery
31102	General practitioners and family physicians
31103	Veterinarians
31111	Optometrists
31201	Chiropractors
31209	Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
31121	Dieticians and nutritionists
31112	Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
31202	Physiotherapists
32109	Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
31203	Occupational therapists
31204	Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
32120	Medical laboratory technologists
33101	Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
31303	Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
32104	Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
32103	Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
32121	Medical radiation technologists
32122	Medical sonographers
32110	Denturists
32111	Dental hygienists and dental therapists
32112	Dental technologists and technicians
33100	Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
32101	Licensed practical nurses
32102	Paramedical occupations
33102	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33103	Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
33109	Other assisting occupations in support of health services
31200	Psychologists
41301	Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
41310	Police investigators and other investigative occupations
44101	Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
65310	Light-duty cleaners
63100	Insurance agents and brokers
62020	Food service supervisors
62200	Chefs
63200	Cooks
63201	Butchers – Retail and wholesale
65202	Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale
64100	Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
65200	Food and beverage servers
65201	Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
72106	Welders and related machine operators
72310	Carpenters
72311	Cabinetmakers
72400	Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72402	Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
72405	Machine fitters
72406	Elevator constructors and mechanics
72420	Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
72421	Appliance servicers and repairers
72422	Electrical mechanics
72423	Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
72429	Other small engine and small equipment repairers
73200	Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73300	Transport truck drivers
85100	Livestock labourers
85101	Harvesting labourers
84120	Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85103	Nursery and greenhouse labourers
85102	Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
85120	Logging and forestry labourers
94141	Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
94142	Fish and seafood plant workers
94210	Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors
94211	Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
95100	Labourers in mineral and metal processing
95101	Labourers in metal fabrication
95102	Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
95103	Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
95104	Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
95106	Labourers in food and beverage processing
95107	Labourers in fish and seafood processing