While countries like the United States have a long list of different types of work visas, Canada primarily has two broad types of work visas: those that require a Labour Market Opinion and those that do not require a Labour Market Opinion. A Labour Market Opinion is sometimes called an LMO or a confirmation from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). 
Who does not need a labour market opinion?
If you are coming to Canada to work under an international agreement and are a business person, investor, professional or a trader, you may not need a labour market opinion. One example of this is a United States citizen who is coming to work in Canada. Under NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), United States citizens do not need a labour market opinion – with some exceptions.
People working under an active pilot project in Canada as well as their spouses or dependents do not require a labour market opinion.
People who are coming to work in Canada under a Provincial Nominee Program, meaning they have been nominated by a province for permanent residency in Canada, do not need a labour market opinion.
Intra-company transferees and entrepreneurs also do not require a labour market opinion.
The labour market opinion is a form of validation from the Canadian government that bringing a foreign worker to Canada will not adversely affect the economy or job market, but rather benefit it.
US citizens do not need a Labour Market Opinion in some cases
While American citizens do not always require a labour market opinion to work in Canada or obtain a work permit, they do need several things, including a job offer from a Canadian employer. If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer, you may then fill out an Application for a Work Permit in order to work in Canada.
However, even if you are a United States citizen, obtaining a work permit in Canada is not as simple as filing out a single application form. There are many strict requirements you will have to meet before you are even considered. If you are an American citizen or a citizen of a different country, please contact our immigration law firm. We can assess your case and help you determine the best way for you to work in Canada!
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
