An LMIA-exempt work permit is a work permit that does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment from ESDC. These permits fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP), and each one is issued under an exemption code that tells IRCC why no LMIA is needed.
Source: IRCC, "International Mobility Program: exemption codes" (page modified 2026-09-23). Codes below are the ones in use since December 15, 2022. IRCC changes codes and programs, so confirm on its page before applying.
How exemption codes work
- Employer-specific LMIA-exempt jobs need an offer of employment submitted in the IRCC Employer Portal (form IMM 5802) and a compliance fee. The offer includes the job's NOC code, wage and duties, so the duties must match the code.
- Open LMIA-exempt permits (for example PGWP or spousal permits) have no employer offer.
- Several codes depend on the TEER of a job. C41 and C46 cover family of workers in TEER 0 to 3 jobs; C47 and C48 cover family of workers in TEER 4 or 5 jobs. See SOWP eligible NOC codes for the current spousal rules.
Most used LMIA exemption codes
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| C10 | Significant benefit, general |
| C11 | Entrepreneurs or self-employed business owners |
| C61–C63 | Intra-company transferees (C61 starting a branch, C62 executives and managers, C63 specialized knowledge) |
| C16 | Francophone mobility |
| C21 | International Experience Canada (working holiday, young professionals, co-op) |
| C41 | Spouses or common-law partners of high-skilled workers (TEER 0 to 3) |
| C42 | Spouses or common-law partners of full-time students |
| C43 | Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) |
| C90 / C91 | Caregivers in the home care pilots, and their family |
| T13 | Provincial nominees, significant investment projects |
| T36 | CUSMA professionals |
| A75 | Bridging open work permits |
Full list by authority
Canada-international agreements (R204(a))
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| T11 | Non-trade agreements (airline personnel, US government personnel) |
| T33 | GATS professionals |
| T34, T35, T36 | CUSMA traders, investors, professionals |
| T37, T38 | CUSMA intra-company transferees: executives or senior managers, specialized knowledge |
| T41, T42, T44 | CETA intra-company transferees: specialized knowledge, graduate trainees, executives or senior managers |
| T43, T46, T47, T48 | CETA independent professionals, investors, contractual service suppliers, engineering and scientific technologists |
| T45 | CETA spouses and common-law partners |
| T50, T52 | CPTPP investors, professionals and technicians |
| T51, T54, T55 | CPTPP intra-company transferees: executives or senior managers, management trainees, specialized knowledge |
| T53 | CPTPP spouses |
| F10–F15, T25 | Colombia FTA (traders, investors, professionals and technicians, intra-company transferees, spouses) |
| F20–F24 | Chile FTA (traders, investors, professionals, intra-company transferees) |
| F30–F36 | Korea FTA (traders, investors, service suppliers and professionals, intra-company transferees, spouses) |
| F42 | Panama professionals |
| F50–F55 | Peru FTA (traders, investors, professionals and technicians, intra-company transferees) |
| F60–F67 | UK (independent professionals, intra-company transferees, spouses, investors, contractual service suppliers, technologists) |
| F70, F71, F72, F74 | CUFTA (Ukraine) investors, intra-company transferees, professionals |
Canada-provincial agreements (R204(c)) and youth mobility (R204(d))
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| T13 | Nominated by a province for PR; significant investment projects; exceptional events |
| C18 | Atlantic Immigration Program |
| T10 | Quebec investors with a notice of intent to select |
| C21 | International Experience Canada |
Significant benefit (R205(a))
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| C10 | Significant benefit, general |
| C11 | Entrepreneurs and self-employed business owners |
| C60 | Provincial business candidates, Quebec self-employed with a CSQ |
| C61, C62, C63 | Intra-company transferees (new branch, executives and managers, specialized knowledge) |
| C13 | Emergency or out-of-warranty repair personnel |
| C14 | Essential television and film production workers |
| C15, C17 | Rural and Francophone community immigration pilots, and spouses |
| A71 | Live-in caregivers whose PR application is submitted |
| C90, C91 | Home care pilot caregivers (occupation-restricted), and their spouses and dependants |
| A73, A76 | Certain CSQ holders inside or outside Quebec |
| A74 | Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class and family class applicants in Canada |
| A75 | Bridging open work permits and PR facilitation |
| A77 | Start-up business class PR applicants |
Reciprocal employment, research and public policy (R205(b) to (d))
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| C20 | Reciprocal employment, general |
| C22, C23, C24, C26 | Academic exchanges, performing arts, summer camp counsellors, coaches and athletes |
| C31, C32, C33 | Research; co-op at post-secondary and secondary level |
| C16 | Francophone mobility |
| C41, C46 | Spouses and dependent children of workers in TEER 0 to 3 jobs |
| C47, C48 | Spouses and dependent children of workers in TEER 4 or 5 jobs |
| C42 | Spouses of full-time students |
| C43 | Post-graduation work permit |
| C44, C45 | Post-doctoral fellows; medical or dental residents and fellows |
| C49 | Family members of economic class PR applicants |
| C52 | Academic award recipients |
| C88 | Innovation Stream pilot |
| C50, C51 | Religious work, charitable work |
Other authorities
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| R01, R02 | Public policies (Hong Kong pathways, H-1B holders, provincial support letters, Quebec) |
| S61, S62 | Refugee claimants; persons under an unenforceable removal order |
| A70 | Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, protected persons, H&C applicants |
| A72 | Vulnerable workers and their family |
| H81, H82 | Destitute students; temporary resident permit holders |
LMIA-exempt and your NOC code
Even without an LMIA, the job's NOC code still matters: it goes on the offer of employment, it decides whether family members qualify for open permits, and it decides whether the experience counts for Express Entry. Read more on what an LMIA is and how NOC codes affect it.
Common questions
What is an LMIA-exempt work permit?
A work permit that does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment. It falls under the International Mobility Program and is issued under an exemption code, for example an international agreement, a significant benefit to Canada, or a public policy.
Is there a list of LMIA-exempt jobs?
Exemptions are mostly based on the type of permit, not the job. A few depend on the NOC TEER, such as C41 for spouses of workers in TEER 0 to 3 jobs, and trade agreements cover listed professions.
Does an LMIA-exempt job still need a NOC code?
Yes. Employer-specific LMIA-exempt offers are submitted through the IRCC Employer Portal (offer of employment, form IMM 5802), which asks for the NOC code of the job.