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How to Apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) in Canada

How to Apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) in Canada

June 23, 20246 minute read

Government officials must consider the effects on domestic laborers when determining whether to allow foreign workers into Canada. Consequently, conducting a labor market test, often known as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), is usually necessary. However, there is an exemption known as “significant benefit” that forfeits the LMIA requirement. The idea behind this is that, in these kinds of situations, the benefits of issuing a work permit would exceed any potential disadvantages of moving away from the normal procedure.

Therefore, a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) is a type of special work permit that can be obtained by individuals whose recruitment would significantly advance Canada’s social, cultural, or economic interests.

The SBWP does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from applicants as part of the International Mobility Programme (IMP). Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP), Canada conducts an internal evaluation known as the Labour Market Impact Evaluation (LMIA) to determine the potential impact of hiring foreign workers on the domestic labor market.

Standards to Be Considered When Issuing an SBWP by the Canadian Government

The standards by which the Canadian government evaluates whether to grant a work permit based on significant benefits are described on the immigration department’s website. The requirements are as follows (based on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)):

  • Certified transcripts from educational institutions verify the foreign worker’s educational background concerning their field of competence.
  • Being awarded honors or rights from both domestic and foreign organizations.
  •  Formal proof from current or previous employers that the foreign employee has 10 years or more of full-time work experience is considered significant.
  •  Being a member of groups that demand excellence from their members.
  •  Once occupied a role in which the individual evaluated the work of others.
  •  Being a foreign employee who has a prominent position in a well-known organization.
  • Having articles published in scholarly or commercial journals by foreign nationals.
  • Evidence that their efforts, successes, and contributions to their field have been acknowledged by professional bodies, the government, or colleagues.
  •  Evidence of their scholarly or scientific accomplishments in their discipline.

Factors to Take Into Account for Foreign Workers Who Want to Apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit in Canada

Candidates who wish to apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) in Canada must demonstrate their distinction in their profession as well as how their employment and entrance into Canada would advance Canada’s social, cultural, and economic well-being.

Social factors to take into consideration: An intending candidate who wants to apply for an SBWP in Canada must be able to assist in the following (social) areas:

  • Creating goods to support the improvement of environmental concerns.
  • Ability to improve Canada’s community social integration.
  • Managing risks to the health and safety of Canadians or permanent residents.
  • Encouraging the enhancement of the community’s pride and reputation as well as an increase in local investments in facilities and resources related to the heritage of the community that enable tourism services.

Cultural factors to consider: The Canadian Framework for Culture Statistics defines culture as the upholding of cultural traditions, as well as creative and artistic endeavors and the products and services they generate. Foreign workers who desire  will provide notable apply for a Significant benefits Work Permit In Canada, to Canada’s cultural heritage if they have the following attributes:

  • Have had a prominent position in an esteemed organization.
  • They are well-known for their creative and cultural pursuits.
  • Are recipients of rights or awards from domestic or foreign organizations.
  • Part of a group that demands outstanding performance from its participants.
  • Have served as an authority to evaluate the work of others or as a member of an evaluation panel.
  • Received honors from peers, governmental bodies, or trade associations for accomplishments and noteworthy contributions to their field.

Economic factors to consider: Economic benefits are those that would help a business grow, expand, or continue. They also have financial advantages, giving the Canadian business community a competitive edge. Thus, the economic factors taken into account for anyone who wants to apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) in Canada include:

A foreign worker must be able to:

  • Prevent Canadians or permanent residents from losing their jobs.
  • They should be able to apply their wealth of professional experience to negotiate and complete business deals that would strengthen the Canadian economy.
  • Avoid a major Canadian event that could affect employment or economic growth from being disrupted.
  • Give job or training opportunities to permanent residents, those recognized as Indians under the Indian Act, and Canadian citizens.
  • Boost the local economy in isolated places.
  • Expanding markets, creating jobs, and innovating new products and services to advance Canadian industry.

Documents Required for Foreign Nationals Who Seek to Apply for a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP) in Canada

The procedure for applying for a standard work permit is the same as that for an SBWP. Foreign nationals must endeavor to submit the following documentation to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply for a significant Benefit Work Permit in Canada:

  • As noted on the client screen, a job offer with an LMIA exemption is submitted through the employer portal or through an authorized alternative submission.
  • Evidence of certification, experience, and/or advanced skill in the applicant’s line of employment.
  • Evidence showing payment of the employment giver compliance fee.
  • Specific proof of the foreign national’s contribution’s major economic, social, or cultural benefits.
  • A completed application on the Global Case Management System (GCMS) of the IRCC. All cases handled by the IRCC are stored on the GCMS, Canada’s universal applicant database platform. Certain details must be entered into the application work permit portal.

Examples of those who can benefit from an SBWP

  • Intra-company transferees: individuals who work for a multinational corporation as employees of foreign nationals and are applying for entrance into Canada (in a capacity such as executive, senior manager, or specialist).
  • Workers are in the core positions of creating films and television shows.
  • Self-employed individuals and business owners.
  • Workers who do emergency repairs on commercial or industrial machinery.

Mfon Umana is a prolific writer, author and critic who uses the principles of communication as a strategy for harnessing desirable benefits from relevant topics of interest.

Mfon Umana is a distinguished Banking and Finance graduate from the University of Uyo, who has carved a niche for herself in the financial writing sphere. With a profound understanding of financial principles and a passion for making complex financial concepts accessible, Mfon has become a go-to financial article writer for numerous websites. Her expertise spans various topics, including personal finance, investment strategies, market trends, and financial planning. Mfon's ability to demystify financial jargon and present information in an engaging, easy-to-understand manner has earned her a loyal readership and widespread recognition in the digital finance community. Her commitment to educating and empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions reflects in every piece she writes. Through her work, Mfon continues to contribute significantly to the financial literacy of her audience, making her an invaluable asset to the finance and education sectors.

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