IMMICASEWork Permit Case Management Software
Streamline your work permit practice with case management built for Canadian immigration professionals. Track LMIA-based, LMIA-exempt, and open work permit applications from initial consultation through permit issuance, with employer compliance monitoring and document tracking at every stage.
Understanding Canadian Work Permit Types
Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program provide multiple pathways for foreign nationals to work in Canada. Each pathway has distinct requirements, employer obligations, and processing timelines. Immigration consultants must navigate these differences for every client while ensuring compliance with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and IRCC regulations. Managing diverse work permit types across a growing caseload requires structured case management that accounts for the unique workflow of each permit category.
LMIA-Based Work Permits
Requires a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from ESDC before the work permit application can be submitted to IRCC. The employer must demonstrate that no Canadian worker is available for the position through advertising and recruitment efforts. LMIA processing adds weeks or months to the overall timeline and involves a separate application track with its own document requirements, fees, and compliance obligations.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
Issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) where an LMIA is not required. Includes intra-company transferees (ICT), CUSMA/CETA professionals, significant benefit exemptions, and reciprocal employment categories. The employer submits an offer through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the employer compliance fee. Processing is generally faster than LMIA-based permits.
Open Work Permits
Not tied to a specific employer. Issued in specific circumstances including spousal/common-law partner open work permits, bridging open work permits (BOWP) for Express Entry applicants, post-graduation work permits (PGWP), and vulnerable worker permits. Each category has its own eligibility criteria and document requirements that must be carefully tracked.
Work Permit Document Tracking
Work permit applications require documents from both the applicant and the employer. Immicase tracks both sides of the equation, ensuring nothing is missed regardless of the permit type.
Applicant Documents
- Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Completed application forms (IMM 1295 or online equivalent)
- Digital photographs meeting IRCC specifications
- Employment offer letter with job duties, salary, and conditions
- Proof of qualifications (degrees, certifications, licenses)
- Work experience reference letters from previous employers
- Police clearance certificates (if required)
- Medical examination results from a panel physician
Employer & LMIA Documents
- Positive LMIA confirmation letter (LMIA-based permits)
- Employer Portal offer number (LMIA-exempt permits)
- Business registration and incorporation documents
- Proof of recruitment efforts (job advertisements, interview records)
- Transition plan for LMIA high-wage positions
- Employer compliance fee payment receipt ($230 per worker)
- Workplace safety documentation and insurance proof
- Provincial business license and operating permits
Employer Compliance Tracking
Employer compliance is a critical and often underestimated aspect of work permit management. ESDC and IRCC conduct inspections to ensure employers are meeting the conditions of the LMIA or work permit. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties including monetary fines, bans from hiring temporary foreign workers, and public listing on the non-compliant employer registry. For consultants, tracking employer compliance obligations is essential to protecting both the employer and the foreign worker.
Wage and Working Condition Compliance
Employers must pay the wage specified in the LMIA or offer of employment and provide working conditions that are substantially the same as those outlined. Immicase records the committed wage and conditions for each work permit case, creating a compliance reference that can be reviewed during ESDC inspections or employer audits.
LMIA Condition Tracking
LMIA approvals come with specific conditions -- transition plans for high-wage positions, maximum employment duration, and recruitment obligations. Immicase tracks each LMIA condition as a distinct compliance milestone, alerting you when transition plan deadlines approach or when an LMIA is nearing expiry before the work permit has been issued.
Multi-Employer Case Management
Many consultants manage work permit cases for the same employer across multiple foreign workers. Immicase links cases by employer, giving you a single view of all work permits associated with a specific company. Track employer compliance across the entire relationship, not just individual cases.
How Immicase Streamlines Work Permit Applications
Immicase provides work permit-specific workflows that handle the dual-track nature of employer-sponsored immigration -- managing the employer side and the applicant side within a single coordinated case file.
Permit-Type Case Templates
Select the work permit type when creating a case -- LMIA-based, LMIA-exempt, or open work permit. Immicase loads the correct document checklist, employer requirements, and processing milestones for each category. Sub-categories like ICT, CUSMA, or BOWP have their own tailored templates.
Dual-Track LMIA and WP Tracking
For LMIA-based permits, track the LMIA application and work permit application as linked but distinct processes. Monitor LMIA processing separately, and when the positive LMIA is received, seamlessly transition to the work permit application phase with all employer documents already on file.
Employer Portal Integration Tracking
For LMIA-exempt permits, track the employer's offer submission through the IRCC Employer Portal. Record the offer number, compliance fee payment, and offer status. Link the employer offer to the applicant's work permit case for a complete picture.
Work Permit Expiry and Renewal Alerts
Track work permit validity dates and set renewal alerts months before expiry. For clients whose immigration strategy includes transitioning from a work permit to permanent residence, Immicase tracks both the immediate work permit timeline and the long-term PR pathway.
Employer Compliance Dashboard
View all compliance obligations for each employer across their work permit cases. Track LMIA conditions, transition plan deadlines, and inspection readiness. Generate compliance summaries when needed for ESDC audits.
Multi-Party Communication
Work permit cases involve the applicant, the employer, and sometimes a third-party recruiter. Immicase organizes communication and document collection across all parties, ensuring everyone provides their required documents and information on time.
Related Resources
Explore the full Immicase platform
Express Entry ManagementLMIA job offers that support EE applications
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PNP Case ManagementProvincial employer-driven nomination streams
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PricingPlans for solo practitioners to large firms
Simplify work permit case management
From LMIA applications to open work permits, Immicase gives your firm the tools to manage employer compliance, track documents, and hit every deadline across your work permit caseload.