Pathway guide
Reciprocal employment (C20)
Reciprocal employment (exemption code C20) allows a work permit without an LMIA when the job creates or keeps comparable jobs for Canadians in other countries. The exchange can be a formal agreement, a cultural agreement between governments, or a multinational's program that places Canadians in its offices abroad. You need evidence that the exchange is real and roughly balanced over time.
Who it’s for
- Multinationals whose mobility programs send Canadian staff to offices abroad
- Universities, institutions and organizations with exchange agreements
- Organizations hiring under Canada's cultural agreements with Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan or Mexico
What it asks for
- The job must create or keep comparable jobs for Canadians abroad, directly or through your company's offices worldwide
- Exchanges should be roughly similar in number each year; new arrangements usually start with only a few permits
- Cultural agreement hires must fit the agreement (France needs a governing-body letter) and are fee-exempt
- Submit the offer with code C20, explain the reciprocity, and pay the $230 fee unless exempt
What the employer does
- Identify the arrangement and collect its documents: the agreement, your international mobility policy or your HR plan.
- Compile yearly numbers of Canadians placed abroad and workers brought to Canada, with roles and lengths of stay.
- Submit the offer in the Employer Portal using code C20 and explain the reciprocity in "Requirements Exemptions Met".
- Pay the $230 compliance fee, or claim the exemption and upload proof for a cultural agreement hire.
- Give the worker the offer number and the reciprocity evidence for their application.
- Keep tracking exchange numbers; IRCC may ask for data on exchange volumes.
Documents you’ll usually need
- Exchange agreement, international mobility policy or HR plan
- Letter from the receiving Canadian institution, or from the governing body for cultural agreements
- Yearly exchange statistics, ideally for several years
- Offer of employment and signed employment agreement
- Fee receipt or proof of fee exemption
Fees and timing
- Employer compliance fee: $230; work permit processing fee: $155; biometrics: $85 if required
Official source - Cultural agreement applications are fee-exempt (code E04)
Official source - TEER 0 or 1 jobs may get Global Skills Strategy processing, which IRCC aims to complete in 2 weeks
Official source - IRCC says GSS applications will probably take more than 2 weeks while it recovers (help centre, modified 2026-09-28)
Official source
Watch out for
- If reciprocity is not proven, the officer may refuse the permit or tell the worker an LMIA is needed.
- For larger exchanges (for example more than 25 people), officers may expect a higher share of Canadians placed abroad (for example at least 75%).
- International Experience Canada is a separate reciprocity program with its own rules.
- Professional and semi-professional coaches and athletes now use code C26 rather than C20.
- Licensing and medical requirements still apply to the worker.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Checked against official sources on October 16, 2026. The employer assessment checks your answers against these requirements, and a lawyer reviews anything unusual.