Immigration Policy Wins

HAC has achieved significant immigration policy wins to unlock access to international workers needed in the hotel sector. Below are key policy wins we have been able to secure for hotels across Canada:

ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP)

• Hotels can now access low-skilled workers through EMPP: The expanded Federal pathway now includes low-skilled New Canadians, such as housekeepers. This will help hotels fill in-demand positions across the sector.

TRAVEL VISA CHANGES

• 13 Countries Allowed Visa-Free Travel for eligible travellers: Known-travellers from 13 countries (including the Philippines and Morrocco) no longer require a visa, and now use eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead. This will make it easier for employers to access temporary foreign workers from these countries, as these workers will no longer require a travel visa.

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS (TFWs)

• Last year’s temporary changes to TFW extended:
  • LMIAs valid for 18 months (Until October 30^th, 2023)
  • Accommodations 30% cap extended until October 30^th, 2023)
• TFW family members to receive work permits: The government announced that for 2 years,  spouses and dependents of TFWs will be eligible for work permits, increasing the pool of workers the hotel sector can access.
• New Workforce Solutions Road Map Released: Government introduced the Workforce Solutions Road Map to improve the Temporary Foreign Workers Program and address the labour shortage in the hotel sector. Key changes include:
  • LMIAs valid for 18 months (previously 9 months).
  • Hotels recognized as a sector with demonstrated labour shortage and given a 30% cap (20% for other sectors).
• Family re-unification improvements include measures to address labour shortage: The government announced faster processing times for visas and the following measures that allow out of status workers to stay in work longer while they renew their work permits.
  • Open work permit extensions for open work permit holders expiring between August 1 and the end of 2023
  • Spouses and dependents whose open work permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023, will be able to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months.

STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

• Restrictive cap on hours for International Students removed: The 20-hour per week maximum imposed on international student work permits was removed to allow international students to work full-time hours. This change will allow hoteliers to have more flexibility when scheduling international students. This measure expires December 31^st, 2023.
• Expiring Work Permits for Graduate students extended: Out of status International Graduates offered extensions on work permits through the Post-Graduate Work Permit program. This will allow our sector to keep workers that have already been trained in their positions for a longer period of time.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE CANADA

• Canada’s youth mobility agreement with the UK to expand in 2024: The age limit to participate in the program has been increased from 18-30 to 18-35.  The period participants can stay in Canada is now 3 years (increased from 2 years). There are also two new streams, the International Co-op and Young professionals streams.
• International Experience Canada expanded by 20%: The International Experience Canada program brings almost 90,000 youth to Canada to travel and work. This helps seasonal employers fill gaps with newcomers who are passionate about travel.