How to Hire Foreign Workers With An LMIA

By Michael Niren May 3, 2018 (Updated January 27, 2025) 5 min. read
LMIA

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

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

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 TypeAvg. Processing Time
Global Talent Stream10 business days
Agricultural Stream21 business days
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program13 business days
High-Wage Stream64 business days
Low-Wage Stream67 business days
Permanent Resident Stream122 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

Foreign Worker’s Responsibilities

To apply for a work permit, a worker needs:

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. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Have a Question related to your Corporate Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment 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.

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