Workers whose hiring would significantly benefit Canada economically, culturally, or socially are eligible for the Significant Benefit Work Visa (SBWP), a special work permit.
Candidates for the SBWP will not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as part of the International Mobility Program (IMP). Using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canada conducts an internal assessment known as the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to determine the impact hiring a foreign worker would have on the Canadian labour market.
The SBWP stream is intended for situations where an LMIA would typically be necessary, but practical concerns (extended LMIA processing timeframes) or a lack of an adequate application stream make this impractical. This is done so that Canada can still benefit from the foreign worker's presence. Significant in this context includes—but is not limited to—advancement of a Canadian industry, broad economic support for Canada, improvements in Canadians' health and well-being, etc.
2. Overview
Workers whose hiring would significantly benefit Canada
economically, culturally, or socially are eligible for the
Significant Benefit Work Visa (SBWP), a special work
permit.
Candidates for the SBWP will not require a Labour
Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as part of the
International Mobility Program (IMP). Using the
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canada
conducts an internal assessment known as the Labour
Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to determine the
impact hiring a foreign worker would have on the
Canadian labour market.
3. The SBWP stream is intended for situations where
an LMIA would typically be necessary, but practical
concerns (extended LMIA processing timeframes) or
a lack of an adequate application stream make this
impractical. This is done so that Canada can still
benefit from the foreign worker's presence.
Significant in this context includes—but is not
limited to—advancement of a Canadian industry,
broad economic support for Canada, improvements
in Canadians' health and well-being, etc.
4. Eligibility Criteria
You must demonstrate that your arrival would benefit Canada
economically, socially, or culturally if you want to apply for an
SBWP. If you are successful in doing this, the standard
decision elements for granting a work permit (such as effects
on the Canadian labour market, demands of Canadian
consumers, etc.) will be skewed in your favour.
Accredited by an academic institution in or relating to your
professional area of expertise;
A Recipient of a national/international awards or patents;
Are a member of an organization that requires excellence of
their members; and/or
That you serve in a leadership position in your organization
with a distinguished position.
5. Consideration factors
In addition to proving that you are distinguished in
you field, as an applicant to the SBWP you will also
need to show how your arrival and work in Canada
would be to the benefit of the country; either
economically, socially, or culturally.
Economic consideration factors include:
Preventing the disruption of employment for
Canadians or permanent residents;
Advancing Canadian industry through market
expansion, job creation, and product/service
innovation; and/or
6. Providing economic stimulus to remote areas.
Social benefit considerations include the applicant’s ability to:
Address health and safety threats to Canadians and permanent
residences;
Strengthening social inclusion in communities; and/or
Developing products that will assist in improving environmental
considerations.
Cultural benefit considerations include whether the applicant is or
has been:
A member of peer review panels or authorities to judge the work of
others;
Recognized by their peers, governmental organizations, or
business/professional associations for contributions to their field;
and/or
Are renowned for their artistic and cultural endeavors.
7. Required Documentation
The process of applying to a SWP is the same as the
process for applying to a regular work permit.
To apply for a SBWP, you will need to provide the
following documentation to Immigration Refugees
and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
LMIA exempt offer of employment submitted in the
Employer portal or by approved alternate
submission as per note on Client screen;
8. Proof of accreditation, experience, and/or high-level
competence in the applicant’s field of work;
A fully completed application on IRCC’s Global Case
Management System (GCMS). GCMS is the universal
applicant database platform where all cases handled
by the IRCC are kept. You will need to enter specific
information into the application work-permit portal
Proof of employer compliance fee payment; and
Detailed evidence of how the foreign national’s work
provides significant benefit economically, socially, or
culturally.
9. Popular use cases for the
SBWP
Some of the most common recipients of an SBWP
include:
Intra-company transferees, often foreign nationals
who are employed by a multi-national company and
are seeking entry to Canada (in an executive, senior
manager, or specialized role);
Television and film production workers whose roles
are central to production;
Entrepreneurs and self-employed workers; and
Emergency repair personnel who work on industrial
or commercial equipment.