Hiring TFW – Overview of Options
		Key Agencies and Their Roles
		TFW Program Pilot Project for Low-Skilled TFW
			Questions to ask before hiring a Low Skilled TFW The TFW Program - An Overview of the Application Process Step-by-Step Guide for the Application Process Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
		Third-Party Recruiters/Immigration Representatives
		Foreign Worker Q & A
		Updates on the TFW Program
		TFW Program for Skilled Occupations

Hiring Foreign Workers – Overview of Options

Employers considering hiring foreign workers on a temporary basis have two options:  recruitment of foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, or hiring international students/graduates through several work permit schemes.  For employers who wish to hire permanent, full-time skilled workers from outside Canada, there is a pilot project in place, the Provincial Nominee Project. 

Outlined below are the various employer options and links for further information on each.

1. Temporary Foreign Workers
   
   The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows eligible foreign workers to work in Canada for an authorized period of time if employers can demonstrate that they are unable to find suitable Canadians or Permanent Residents to fill the jobs.
   
   There are currently two different levels of foreign workers that an employer can hire on a temporary basis.  There are skilled occupations (managerial, professional, technical/trades) and low-skilled occupations, which include positions that would normally require the equivalent of a high school diploma or two years of job-related experience at most.  Ontario currently has a pilot project in place for low-skilled occupations.
   
   Human Resources and Social Development Canada provides additional information on temporary foreign workers on the HRSDC website.
   
   Or you can access “How to Hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW)”, a guide book for employers, via the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
   
   
2. Students/Graduates Work Permits
   
   
   1. Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)
      SWAP provides a limited number of visas to individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 and assists with the necessary visa paperwork. Employers post jobs with SWAP through TravelCUTS and job seekers submit applications directly to employers. This is a good option for seasonal needs, as the visas granted are short-term and visa holders may work for several employers during their visit to Canada. For more information visit the Student Work Abroad Program website.
      
      
   2. Work Permits for International Students
      The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows certain international students attending colleges and universities in Canada to hold off-campus jobs while still enrolled in their academic programs.  To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a post-secondary program on a full-time basis at an eligible government or privately funded institution.  Under the program, foreign students are required to show that they have been studying on a full-time basis for six of the past 12 months before applying for a work permit.  Students must obtain a work permit that authorizes them to work on a part-time basis (20 hours a week) during the school term, but unlimited hours (keeping in mind Employment Standards) during school breaks.  For more information please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
      
      
   3. Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
      This program allows Canadian employers to hire international student graduates via post-graduation work permits. Employers can hire international students following graduation, provided that students graduate from eligible programs at specific Canadian post-secondary institutions that were at least two years in length.  Under the program, foreign students are eligible to apply for an open work permit without any limitations as to the type and place of employment and are not required to have employment offers during the application process.  A post-graduate work permit is valid for up to three years.   For more information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
      
      
   4. Working Holiday Programs
      Working holiday programs enable individuals, age 18 to 35, to travel to other countries with the option of taking on short-term work to help pay for their travel expenses.  For further information visit the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website.
      
      
3. Ontario’s Pilot Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
   
   Ontario has established the PNP to allow employers to attract skilled immigrants to meet their business needs.  The purpose of the program is to facilitate the hiring of skilled workers and international graduates from outside Canada for full-time, permanent positions.  Employers apply to the program and recruit qualified employees to fill their labour market needs, with the program aiding in the process with access to fast-tracked permanent residency and interim work permits. Further details are available via Ontario Immigration's website.

Contact us for more information.