What’s the Cost for Canada Work Visa Sponsor?

The cost for a Canadian company to sponsor a foreign worker involves several fees, mainly related to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and work permit application. Here’s a breakdown:

Costs for the Sponsoring Company:

1. LMIA Application Fee

• CAD 1,000 per worker (non-refundable)

• Paid by the employer when applying for LMIA with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

2. Recruitment Costs

• Employers must demonstrate they tried to hire Canadians first, which may involve advertising and recruitment expenses (varies by company).

3. Work Permit Application Fee (sometimes employer covers)

• Usually paid by the employee, but some employers cover this.

• CAD 155 for the work permit application.

4. Employer Compliance Fee (only in some cases)

• CAD 230 for employer compliance (if applicable).

Summary:

• Minimum mandatory fee: CAD 1,000 for LMIA per worker.

• Recruitment and other compliance costs vary.

• Work permit fees are usually paid by the employee but can be covered by the employer.