Hire a temporary foreign worker through the Recognized Employer Pilot: Overview

Closed: Applications to participate in the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP)

As of September 16, 2024, new applications to participate in the pilot will no longer be accepted. Recognized employers can still access the simplified LMIA. Thank you for your interest in the REP.

Temporary refusal to process LMIA applications for low-wage positions in Montréal

From September 3, 2024, to March 3, 2025, certain Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications submitted for low-wage positions in the economic region of Montréal won't be processed. For more information, consult Hiring in the province of Quebec.

The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) is a 2-phased, 3-year pilot project. The REP offers a streamlined approach for employers who:

• regularly access the TFWP to fill positions for in-demand fields from the REP occupations list, and
• meet the highest standards for working and living conditions and worker protection

Recognized employers can benefit from validity periods of up to 36 months for LMIA applications that receive a positive decision. They can also access a simplified LMIA application when hiring additional workers.

Designed for administrative efficiency, the REP will maintain existing worker protections while providing:

• simpler and more predictable access to labour for employers, and
• more flexibility for the Canadian labour market

Request to participate in the REP

As of September 16, 2024, Service Canada will no longer accept new applications to participate in the REP. Employers who are already enrolled in the REP can continue to submit requests for positions on the REP occupations list using a simplified LMIA.

The REP was divided into 2 phases:

1. Phase 1: Applications for positions on the Phase 1 occupations list were accepted as of September 12, 2023
2. Phase 2: Applications for positions on the Phase 2 occupations list were accepted as of January 2024

As of September 26, 2024, employers submitting an LMIA application for a low-wage position may request a maximum employment duration of 1 year, down from 2 years.

Employers submitting an LMIA application for a high-wage position may request an employment duration of up to 3 years. The employment duration must align with the employer's reasonable employment needs.