In most cases, employers are required to get government approval before hiring foreign workers now called a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) formerly known as a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). An LMIA is issued in cases where a Canadian employer is unable to fill the position with a local Canadian worker. The main means of demonstrating this is through advertising the jobs in Canada and making efforts to hire Canadians, proving that the applicants are not qualified for the position offered.
Once an employer applies for the LMIA, he or she will await a document of approval from Employment and Social Development Canada. This document is known as a positive LMIA sometimes referred to as a “confirmation letter” which confirms there is a need to hire a foreign worker. Once the employer receives the LMIA, the potential employee can apply for a work permit as long as he or she has a job offer letter, a contract, a copy of the LMIA, and the LMIA number.
New Rules for LMIA Canada 2025
Starting on November 8, 2024, the wage threshold used to determine the high-wage or low-wage stream increased by 20%. Further, beginning on October 28, 2024, employers are no longer able to use attestations from lawyers and chartered professional accountants to prove their business legitimacy.
On September 26, 2024, the maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the low-wage stream was reduced to one year (from two years).
How to Apply Online for LMIA
- the LMIA Online Portal is a reliable and secure electronic tool. It allows Canadian employers and third-party representatives (on behalf of employers) to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada
- once you have a Job Bank account created you will be able to do the following in the LMIA Online Portal:
- submit an LMIA application 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
- complete or return to an LMIA application before submitting it to Service Canada
- upload supporting documents
- securely pay LMIA fees, if applicable
- get real-time updates on the status of your application
- view correspondence and decision letters issued by Service Canada
- review previously submitted applications
- access and follow the status of your application when a third-party representative is submitting an LMIA application on your behalf
- to access the LMIA Online Portal, an employer and a third-party representative (if applicable) must have a valid Job Bank account for Employers for authentication purposes
- make sure you have a Job Bank account, if you don’t have one, sign up now
- once your Job Bank account(s) is/are created, you will be able to complete an LMIA application via the LMIA Online Portal
- if you have applied through the LMIA Online Portal, you can confirm the status of your application at any time by logging into your LMIA Online account
LMIA Requirements
Hiring High-Wage Workers
When hiring high-wage foreign workers, a transition plan is an important requirement for all Canadian employers seeking to employ a temporary foreign worker(s) at a wage that is equal to or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.
The Transition Plan is a Schedule C form to the Application for an LMIA. The Transition Plan represents commitments that an employer has agreed to undertake specific to the occupation and work location for which they are seeking TFWs.
Hiring Low-Wage Workers
When hiring low-wage workers, a Transition Plan is not needed when applying for an LMIA. Unlike high-wage workers, low-wage workers are subject to a cap that limits the number of workers a business can employ.
Canadian employers with more than 10 employees will be restricted to a maximum 10% cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers.
This cap will be phased in over the next two years, to allow Canadian employers time to transition to a Canadian workforce.
How to Hire if You Need an LMIA
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) lets you hire temporary foreign workers to fill labour and skill shortages. Once the LMIA has been issued, you should provide a copy of the confirmation letter to each temporary foreign worker and tell each of them to apply for a work permit.
How to Hire if You Don’t Need an LMIA
The International Mobility Program (IMP) lets you hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA. If you hire an employee through this program you will need to
- pay an employer compliance fee
- submit an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal
LMIA Processing Time
Below is a list of recent processing times per LMIA stream to help you estimate how long it will take to review your application:
| Application Type | Avg. Processing Time |
| Global Talent Stream | 10 business days |
| Agricultural Stream | 21 business days |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 13 business days |
| High-Wage Stream | 64 business days |
| Low-Wage Stream | 67 business days |
| Permanent Resident Stream | 122 business days |
Visit our page to learn more about other Canada Visa Processing Times.
After An LMIA is Approved, What Is the Next Step?
Employer’s Responsibilities
- The employer must provide the foreign worker with a copy of the positive LMIA decision letter. This is crucial for the worker’s work permit application.
- The employer must adhere to all the conditions outlined in the LMIA, such as wage rates, employment terms, and Canadian labor standards.  Â
- he employer should assist the worker in gathering the necessary documents for their work permit application, which typically includes the LMIA letter, job offer, and proof of compliance with any specific requirements (e.g., accommodation, insurance).
Foreign Worker’s Responsibilities
- Apply for a work permit:Â The foreign worker must submit a work permit application to the appropriate Canadian visa office.
- Gather required documents. This includes the LMIA letter, job offer, and any other supporting documentation.  Â
- The worker must meet all the eligibility criteria for a work permit, which may vary depending on their nationality and the specific circumstances of their employment.
To apply for a work permit, a worker needs:
- a job offer letter
- a contract
- a copy of the LMIA
- the LMIA number
Learn more about Canadian Work Permits.
Does Your Business Need Corporate Immigration Services?
Contact our corporate team at VisaPlace. Whether you are recruiting an individual foreign worker or transferring a group of employees overseas, the are several corporate immigration services available to you.
Need Help With Your LMIA Application? We Can Help!
Applying for LMIA in Canada can be tricky and confusing if you are not completely sure what you are doing. Visaplace has been helping clients complete their LMIA applications with ease. Our immigration professionals are standing by to assist with your LMIA and Temporary Work Permit Applications.
Contact VisaPlace today. VisaPlace connects you with licensed, independent immigration lawyers. Your first consultation is free, and the lawyer gives you a clear quote before any work begins.
Have a Question related to your Corporate Immigration Needs?
Fill out the Talk to a lawyer (free) form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.
The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Michael Niren, Founder of VisaPlace
Michael Niren is the founder of VisaPlace Immigration and has spent more than 30 years helping people through the immigration process. Today, VisaPlace focuses on helping Canadians move to the United States, whether for a new job, a business, family or retirement. Michael’s commentary on immigration has been featured on CNN, CBC and The Globe and Mail. VisaPlace Immigration works with licensed and experienced immigration lawyers, who are independent and operate separately from VisaPlace Immigration, and every client’s case is reviewed by one of them. Michael does not provide legal advice.
