
June 25, 2025
Employer compliance inspections
News release
For employers hiring temporary foreign workers through the International Mobility Program
An employer compliance inspection
- verifies that you are meeting your obligations when hiring foreign workers
- can happen anytime during the foreign worker’s employment or up to 6 years after a work permit is issued
- may include an on-site component, during which inspectors may interview anyone relevant to the inspection and check records
- requires that you have accurate records demonstrating compliance with immigration and labour laws
- will result in non-compliance if you don’t cooperate, ignore calls and messages
During the employment period
- have the required documents ready to show compliance
- make sure job duties, pay, and work conditions match the employment agreement, and the offer in the Employer Portal
- submit a voluntary disclosure to inform IRCC of any potential non-compliance with program conditions
- keep records if a worker didn’t work for you or left before their work permit expired
- post “Get to Know Your Rights” where workers can easily access it
If found non-compliant
- you’ll have an opportunity to share your account of the situation
- you have 30 days to pay the fine or set up payment arrangements
- penalties depend on the severity of non-compliance. Your business will be added to the public list of non-compliant employers if you receive a fine or a program ban
Additional resources
- A QR code that, when scanned, opens the employer compliance inspections page.
- Employer compliance inspection
- Employer Portal user guide – Canada.ca
- To report visa overstays or immigration violations, call the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
