Canada’s Foreign Worker Visa Policies: A Moral Concern

By Visa Jobs CanadaSeptember 14, 2025September 14, 2025Work Visas & LMIA NewsCanadian immigration, foreign worker programs, immigration policy, visa sponsorship, work permits

Understanding Visa Sponsorship in Canada

If you’re an international job seeker dreaming of a new life in Canada, you’ll want to delve into the details of visa sponsorship and the various programs that can help you settle here. Many industries are on the lookout for skilled workers, making Canada an attractive destination for those looking for new opportunities.

What is Visa Sponsorship?

Visa sponsorship is when an employer helps an international worker obtain the necessary visas to live and work in Canada. This support often comes in the form of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a document that shows a company has tried to hire Canadians for a position but couldn’t find a suitable candidate. An LMIA isn’t just a formality; it demonstrates the genuine need for foreign talent in the Canadian job market.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

One of the main pathways for working in Canada is through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program allows employers to hire foreign workers for specific jobs when Canadians aren’t available. While it began to address temporary labour shortages, it’s become a crucial part of many industries, especially in provinces like Ontario.

International Mobility Program (IMP)

The International Mobility Program (IMP) provides more flexibility compared to the TFWP. Under this program, employers can hire foreign workers without the need for an LMIA, allowing for a quicker and more straightforward application process. The IMP often includes international students who can work while studying, offering them valuable experience and a chance to immerse themselves in Canadian culture.

Challenges and Issues

While these programs play essential roles in supplying labour, they are not without their challenges. Many workers come to Canada under the TFWP but find themselves in difficult situations—living in subpar conditions and working long hours for minimum wage. Some workers face restrictions that tie them to a single employer, making it hard to seek better opportunities.

The IMP, while offering some advantages, has raised concerns about quality. For instance, the rise of diploma mills—schools that exist mainly to recruit international students for worker visas—illustrates the pitfalls of a system that sometimes prioritizes numbers over quality.

Path to Permanent Residency (PR)

If you’re successful in finding a job that offers visa sponsorship, it could pave your way towards becoming a permanent resident (PR) in Canada. Programs like Express Entry allow skilled workers with job offers to apply for PR status. This points-based system takes factors like age, education, work experience, and your job’s classification (known as the NOC or National Occupational Classification) into account.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

In addition to Express Entry, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) can help you gain PR. Each province has its unique criteria and might prioritize certain skills or professions based on local demands. Getting a nomination from a province can significantly boost your chances of securing PR.

Finding Job Opportunities in Canada

If you’re exploring job opportunities from abroad, our website, VisaJobsCanada.com, focuses specifically on Canadian jobs that offer visa sponsorship to international applicants. Each listing on our site includes details on visa support, making your job search easier and more transparent.