For overseas workers, obtaining a work permit in Canada takes time, as the officers of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have to assess how hiring a foreign employee potentially impacts Canadian workers. As a result, an LMI, i.e., Labour Market Impact Assessment, is typically needed. 

Yet, if IRCC is able to recognize the ‘significant benefit’ exemption, the necessity of an LMIA can be avoided. This is possible specifically if the advantages of issuing a work permit significantly outweigh any potential drawback of not admitting a foreign worker or slowing their entry to Canada. In such cases where the requirement of LMIA is bypassed, some factors enable overseas workers to get Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP). 

Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) is an LMIA-exempt work permit that has a quicker processing time. 

It should be noted that the Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) is requested by the Canadian employer, not by the overseas worker itself. 

What is considered a significant benefit? 

If a candidate desires to obtain Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP), they must prove that their work in Canada will greatly support the country economically, culturally, or socially. 

In this context, the concept of significant benefit may be conceptual, but it ultimately involves assessing how hiring a foreign worker will enhance the economic stability of Canada. 

Some contributions of foreign employment/hiring that may be considered are developing employment, establishing an industry or sector in a specific or remote area, and expanding export markets for Canada’s goods and services. 

Additionally, there is more likelihood of obtaining Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit if the employment of foreign employees is able to contribute to the improvement of Canadian industry. This includes technological advancements, innovation in products or services, as well as advancement in Canadian abilities. 

Furthermore, hiring overseas workers could potentially benefit the overall health and wellness of Canadian people or individuals across specific Canadian regions, both physically and mentally. 

Last but not least, incorporating overseas workers in Canada’s work market could enhance tolerance, expand knowledge, or develop chances of communication among individuals of identical or different cultural backgrounds. 

Additionally, there are more specific conditions for each important advantage that overseas workers can contribute to Canada. 

The applicants of SBWP are also required to demonstrate their abilities in specific fields. In particular, they must exhibit their outstanding record via the following: 

• Appropriate educational documents showing worker’s educational qualifications in their field of expertise; 
• Valid documents from their previous or current employers exhibiting significant full-time work experience in their field of expertise. This must be of ten or more years. 
• Demonstrate their international or national honors or patents; 
• Show membership in organizations that require employees to succeed; 
• Documents showing employment in positions where they reviewed the work of other workers; 
• Proof of their recognized work, achievements, and contributions in their field by their coworkers, professional bodies, and government; 
• Affidavit of their scientific or scholarly achievements in their field; 
• Published journals or articles in academics or platforms specific to their fields; 
• Documents showing their leadership roles in respectable associations and/or 
• Employing overseas workers through programs like Destination Canada or federal government-organized job fairs and francophone minority communities; and/or employing individuals in occupations categorized under National Occupation Classification 0, A, and B outside the province of Quebec. 

Prior to issuing a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP), Canadian officials use particular criteria to evaluate foreign workers. This includes their educational qualification, work experience, membership in organizations requiring outstanding performance, honors, and patents, and other accomplishments and contributions in their field of expertise. 

What factors are considered in an SBWP application? 

Immigration authorities are instructed to consider the following factors while evaluating an SBWP application: 

• They must determine whether the application fulfills the requirements and incorporates exemptions. In particular, how the application would satisfy the LMIA requirements. 
• They must determine the job responsibilities of the foreign worker and how they correspond with the criteria of significant benefit; 
• They must evaluate the Job prerequisites that meet this significant benefit; 
• They must assess the minimum education qualifications for the job role and check whether they are satisfied; 
• Any additional training that is necessary for the job role; and 
• Any Federal or Provincial certification, licensing, or registration required for working in that field in Canada 

Who qualifies for Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit? 

International workers who are eligible for a significant benefit work permit (SBWP) include the following: 

• Intra-Company Transferees: Overseas nationals who are employed in a multinational company and are preparing to join its parent, subsidiary, or branch in Canada in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge job; 
• Workers in the Television and Film Production field: Professionals in the TV and film industry who play vital roles in the production; 
• Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Workers: Individuals who are starting a business in the Canadian region or pursuing self-employment and are able to exhibit that their work would result in significant economic, social, or cultural benefits to the country; and 

• Emergency Repair Personnel: Skilled Workers who are urgently required for industrial or commercial equipment repairs to prevent disruption in employment in Canada. 

Besides these, there are some special conditions where certain professionals may be exempt from the LMIA requirement and may also qualify for Canada’s Significant Benefit Work Permit.