Reciprocal Employment Work Permit
An LMIA-exempt work permit for foreign workers entering Canada under exchange or reciprocal arrangements where Canadians gain comparable opportunities abroad.
The C20 Reciprocal Employment Work Permit allows certain foreign nationals to work in Canada without an LMIA where their employment helps create or maintain comparable work opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents abroad. It is commonly used by multinational employers, exchange programs, and organizations with established international mobility arrangements.
The C20 work permit is designed for situations where hiring a foreign national in Canada creates or maintains reciprocal employment opportunities for Canadians abroad. The focus is on whether the Canadian company can demonstrate a genuine pattern or arrangement of two-way international employment opportunities.
Reciprocity does not have to mean an exact one-for-one exchange, and the Canadian and foreign employees do not necessarily have to move between the same two countries. For multinational organizations, an employer may be able to demonstrate that foreign workers coming to Canada are balanced by comparable opportunities available to Canadians or permanent residents across its offices in other countries. There is no specific requirement for the number of people going in or out; the overall level of reciprocal employment should be reasonably comparable.
Who is it for?
The C20 work permit is best suited to foreign workers joining a Canadian company that has a genuine and established pattern of international employee mobility. The strongest candidates are typically working with multinational companies, international organizations, exchange programs, or other employers that regularly move employees between Canada and operations abroad.
The C20 work permit is available to employees at any level participating in global assignments or international exchange arrangements.
What are the requirements
Reciprocity
Evidence that Canadians receive comparable employment opportunities abroad under the arrangement. An exact one-for-one exchange is not required, but the arrangement must demonstrate meaningful reciprocity.
Evidence of International Mobility
Credible evidence showing how the reciprocal arrangement operates in practice, such as an international mobility policy, exchange agreement, records of Canadian employees working abroad, or a documented history of international assignments.
Employer-Specific Job Offer
The foreign worker must have a genuine job offer in Canada and the employer must submit the job offer through the dedicated IRCC Employer Portal.
Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada against criminal and medical admissibility factors.
Visa Timeline
Concord Processing Time
Premium Processing Time
Standard Processing Time
Review of the reciprocal arrangement and supporting evidence.
2-3 business days from receipt of mandatory documents and information
Work permit application drafted.
5 business days from receipt of mandatory information and documents
Work permit application submitted.
3-5 business days from receipt of signed forms and support letters
Varies by method of application
Varies by method of application
10-15 days to prepare the work permit application ready for submission
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