Employer Compliance / Portal Support

What is the IRCC Employer Portal?

The IRCC Employer Portal is the mandatory online system Canadian employers must use to submit job offers when hiring foreign workers under LMIA-exempt work permit categories through the International Mobility Program (IMP). The portal submission creates a formal record of the employment offer that IRCC officers review alongside the worker's permit application.

This is not a formality — errors or inconsistencies in the Employer Portal submission are a leading cause of work permit refusals and processing delays.

When Employer Portal submission is required

Employers must submit an offer through the Employer Portal for most LMIA-exempt work permit categories, including:

• Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) — exemption code C12.
• CUSMA/CPTPP professionals — exemption codes C10, C11.
• Francophone Mobility — exemption code C16.
• Provincial Nominee (PNP) work permits — exemption code C11.
• Significant benefit — various C-codes depending on the specific stream.
• Spousal Open Work Permit (worker stream) — when the principal applicant's employer must be verified.

Employer compliance fee

Most LMIA-exempt employer portal submissions require payment of a $230 employer compliance fee per worker. This fee covers IRCC's compliance verification and inspection framework. Key points:

• The fee must be paid by the employer, not the worker.
• Payment is required at the time of portal submission.
• Some categories are fee-exempt (e.g., certain reciprocal employment, charity workers).
• The fee is non-refundable even if the worker's permit is refused.

What must be included in the portal submission

The Employer Portal requires detailed information that must be accurate and consistent with what the worker submits in their application:

• Business information: legal business name, operating name, CRA business number, NAICS code, business address.
• Job details: job title, NOC code (2021 TEER system), detailed duties, work location, hours per week.
• Wage and benefits: hourly or annual wage, vacation entitlement, any additional compensation.
• Employment duration: start date and end date matching the requested permit period.
• LMIA exemption category: the correct exemption code (C10, C11, C12, C16, etc.).
• Worker information: full name, date of birth, country of citizenship matching the worker's application.

Common employer portal errors that cause refusals

• NOC code selected does not match the job duties described.
• Wage offered is below the prevailing wage for the NOC and region.
• Job title or duties in the portal do not match the worker's application or supporting documents.
• Wrong exemption code selected for the permit category.
• Employer compliance fee not paid or payment failed.
• Portal offer expired before the worker submitted their application (offers are valid for limited time).
• Business legitimacy concerns — no evidence of active operations, revenue, or employees.

Employer compliance obligations

Submitting an offer through the Employer Portal creates ongoing legal obligations for the employer under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations:

• Provide the job as described: the actual employment must match what was submitted — same duties, wage, hours, and location.
• Comply with employment standards: follow all federal and provincial employment laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and workplace safety.
• Maintain records: employers must retain employment records for at least 6 years from the date the work permit was issued.
• Cooperate with inspections: IRCC and ESDC may conduct inspections to verify compliance. Employers must provide requested documents and access.
• Report changes: notify IRCC if the worker's employment ends early or if there are significant changes to the terms.

Consequences of non-compliance

IRCC takes employer compliance seriously. Violations can result in:

• Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs): fines of up to $100,000 per violation, with higher amounts for repeat offenders.
• Temporary or permanent ban: employers found non-compliant may be banned from hiring foreign workers for 1-10 years, or permanently.
• Public listing: non-compliant employers are published on IRCC's public list of ineligible employers.
• Work permit revocation: workers employed by non-compliant employers may have their permits affected.

Recordkeeping checklist for employers

To be inspection-ready, employers should maintain the following records for each foreign worker:

• Copy of the Employer Portal submission and offer confirmation.
• Signed employment contract or offer letter.
• Payroll records, pay stubs, and proof of wage payments.
• Time and attendance records.
• Copy of the worker's work permit.
• Any correspondence with IRCC related to the worker.
• Documentation of any changes to employment terms and reasons.

Who this service is for

This service is designed for Canadian employers, HR professionals, and business owners who are hiring foreign nationals under LMIA-exempt work permit categories and want to ensure their Employer Portal submissions are accurate, compliant, and aligned with the worker's application before filing.

How we help

We review your Employer Portal submission before you file, verify that job details match the correct NOC code and prevailing wage requirements, ensure the right exemption code is selected, and coordinate with the worker's application to eliminate inconsistencies. We also advise on recordkeeping best practices and help you prepare for potential IRCC inspections so your organization remains compliant and eligible to hire foreign workers.