Frequently Asked Questions

No. We work with all employers — whether you hire locally, internationally, or both. We support businesses in a range of areas including recruitment, HR services, immigration support, compliance, settlement coordination, and employment law support through affiliated counsel. Some employers come to us for one specific service, while others use us as an ongoing workforce partner.

We primarily support employers in hospitality, food & beverage, construction, and manufacturing. These sectors often face ongoing labour shortages, seasonal hiring needs, and higher compliance demands, which is where our integrated approach adds the most value. We can also assist employers in other industries depending on their workforce needs.

LMIA timelines can vary depending on the type of application, the role, the stream, government processing volumes, and current Service Canada policies. Because of that, there is no guaranteed timeline. In many cases, employers should plan for approximately 3 to 6 months, but some files may take less time and others may take longer depending on the circumstances.

There are two main categories of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits. Open work permits allow a person to work for most employers in Canada and are common in situations such as certain spousal work permits and post-graduation work permits. Employer-specific work permits are tied to a particular employer, role, and location, and often require employer support through an LMIA or another eligible pathway. We help employers understand which type of permit may apply to their candidate or employee.

If you already have a temporary foreign worker on staff, it is usually best to begin planning about 6 months before their work permit expires. If you are hiring a worker from outside Canada, it is often best to start 6 to 9 months before the intended start date. This gives enough time for recruitment, LMIA preparation, government processing, and the worker's permit processing. Timelines can also vary by country and may change throughout the year.

Yes. We help employers prepare for and respond to compliance reviews involving Service Canada, Employment Standards, and related workforce requirements. We also help reduce risk before issues arise by reviewing documentation, identifying gaps, improving internal processes, and strengthening day-to-day compliance practices. While no one can guarantee that an audit will never happen, proactive preparation can make a major difference.

Seasonal hiring may be appropriate for employers whose business regularly experiences predictable peak periods during certain times of the year. This is often seen in industries such as hospitality, tourism, food service, agriculture-related operations, and some production or project-based environments. Depending on the business need, seasonal roles may include housekeeping, kitchen positions, food and beverage support, front desk, general labour, production, or other operational roles. We can help assess whether a seasonal hiring strategy is appropriate for your business.

You can work with us for just one service or for a full workforce solution. Some clients come to us only for recruitment, immigration, or compliance support, while others need help across multiple areas. Our model is flexible, so we can support one part of the process or build an integrated plan based on your business needs.

Yes. We support employers with practical HR needs such as workplace policies, employee handbooks, onboarding processes, performance management guidance, and day-to-day HR support. This is especially valuable for growing businesses that want stronger internal systems, clearer documentation, and more consistent people practices.

Employers work with IMM Employment Solutions because our support goes beyond filling positions. We provide specialized guidance across recruitment, HR services, immigration, compliance, settlement support, and employment law support through affiliated counsel. This is especially valuable for employers dealing with complex workforce needs, temporary foreign worker matters, and long-term staffing strategy. Our goal is to provide practical, reliable support that helps businesses hire with confidence and manage their workforce more effectively.