IMP C10, a work permit in Canada because of significant benefits
Anika is a Sinhalese who intends to work in Canada. She is a famous author, speaker, and lecturer in the history of modern civilization. A well-known Canadian think tank wants to hire Anika for two years. As a result, they hope she expands one of their departments that will employ several Canadians and permanent residents. An immigration consultant suggests IMP C10 could be their best option to secure a work permit for Anika and move her from Sri Lanka to Canada.
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What is IMP C10?
Most foreign nationals who work in Canada need a work permit (exceptions exist). A typical work permit requires a letter from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Such letters, also known as LMIA, must indicate hiring a foreign national won’t affect the Canadian labour market negatively. However, in certain circumstances, you could be exempt from an LMIA. All these circumstances fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP). The IMP codes explain why and how someone could be exempt from an LMIA. Here are some examples:
- C11 – an exemption code for self-employed people or entrepreneurs
- A75 – an exemption code for bridging open work permit
- C14 and C23 – exemption codes for artists
- T24, T44, C12, and T51 – exemption codes for intra-company transferees
- C16 – Francophone Mobility program
IMP C10 is an LMIA exemption code that covers significant benefits for Canada. This code overarches many employment activities. Therefore, you may apply if you have a job offer in Canada or when you are a self-employed person or an entrepreneur. However, consider the following recommendations in the next section.
Recommendations for IMP C10 work permit applicants
Before getting excited about IMP C10, consider the following points:
- IRCC officers prefer an LMIA letter and only accept an IMP C10 application if you present enough justification.
- Significant contributions to the Canadian economy, social fabric, or cultural makeup are at the core of this type of request. Read the next section for more information.
- Don’t forget about the word “significant.” The term in the context of IMP C10 could refer to the following factors:
- Supporting the Canadian economy via job creation, expanding export opportunities for Canada, contributing to the remote areas in Canada, or supporting regional economic activities
- Contributing to a specific industry in Canada via innovation, technological development, or improving the employees’ knowledge and skills
- Bringing various cultures together and promoting cultural inclusivity and opportunities
- Contributing to the well-being and health of Canadians either regionally or pan-Canada
- In most cases, the right candidate for this option is a celebrity or an immensely-successful person.
Don’t forget that IMP C10 is an employer-specific work permit. Consequently, you must submit a job offer via the Employer Portal and pay the $230 compliance fee first.
Significant Benefit to Canada
Just like IMP C11, IRCC divides significant benefits for IMP C10 into three major categories: (1) Economic, (2) Social, and (3) Cultural. Remember that contributions must be significant.
Economic benefits
IRCC offers the following guidelines for assessing significant benefits.
- Preventing job losses in communities
- Creating job opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents
- Using their expertise in developing a business that benefits the Canadian economy
- Assisting an activity that promotes growth and job creation in a community
- Contributing to a Canadian industry via innovation, job creation, and market expansion
- Offering economic stimulus in remote areas
- Creating training and job opportunities for Canadians, permanent residents, and registered Indians
This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive. However, it offers us ideas about how IRCC processes C10 applications.
Social benefits
We could consider the following as social benefits for IMP C10. Of course, I refer to how IRCC looks at these benefits.
- Addressing safety and health threats to Canadians and permanent residents
- Promoting communities (especially their pride and heritage)
- Encouraging investment in the local tourism industry (amenities and other resources)
- Advancing social inclusion in communities
- Contributing to improving environmental considerations via developing unique products and services
Cultural benefits
An IMP C10 work permit candidate could show their ability to make cultural contributions via the following factors. Of course, this list is just a guideline:
- Industry or scientific publications
- Significant scholarly contributions
- Being a celebrity in their cultural field
- The leadership of an esteemed organization
- Recognition by their peers, government bodies, etc.
- Acting as a judge to review the work of other artists
- Membership in highly-regarded cultural organizations
- Their previous national or international artistic awards or recognitions
IMP C10 process
An immigration officer approves an IMP C10 work permit if they believe the applicant meets all of the following:
- Exemption from the requirements of an LMIA under the exemption code C10
- Meeting all the needs of section 200 of the Immigration Regulations, e.g.,
- Not staying in Canada beyond their authorization
- Applying correctly with all supporting documents
- Knowing official languages to perform their duties in Canada
- Having a proper job offer
- Not being inadmissible to Canada
Here is a typical process for IMP C10 work permit applicants. Of course, I assume the applicant meets the requirements:
- Prepare and submit a job offer via the Employer Portal.
- Collect all the necessary documents and fill out all the required forms, e.g.,
- Prepare an online submission package or a port-of-entry (POE) package
- Apply online or at a POE and pay the necessary fees
- Wait for the officer’s decision
For POE applications, the processing could take a few minutes. We usually do not include forms in such packages other than IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative form). However, the online applications could take a few weeks before an officer finalizes their decision. Sometimes officers may send you a document request or a procedural fairness letter. You have to comply.
IMP C10 for particular circumstances
IRCC uses the IMP C10 code for the following particular circumstances. Please consider booking a consultation session if you want to apply under any of the following programs.
- Airline personnel (foreign airline security guards)
- Interns with international organizations recognized under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act
- Rail grinder operators, rail welders or other specialized track maintenance workers
- Experts on a mission, working for a United Nations office in Canada
- Foreign physicians coming to work in Quebec
- Caribbean Agricultural Liaison Officers
Let us help
Please book a consultation session with me if you apply for a work permit under IMP C10 or another option. Alternatively, you may fill out our assessment forms. I also offer mentorship sessions for practitioners. The following form is for those entrepreneurs or self-employed people willing to secure a work permit under IMP C11, IMP C10, or other options.
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Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al ParsaiAl Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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