An LMIA is a document that an employer in Canada may need before hiring a foreign worker. It shows that hiring the foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market.
Most employers hiring a foreign worker for an employer-specific work permit need a positive or neutral LMIA first, unless the position falls under an LMIA-exempt category through a specific program or trade agreement.
Processing times vary by stream and occupation, ranging from a couple of weeks for high-wage or global talent streams to several months for standard applications. We help employers avoid delays by submitting a complete, well-supported file.
The employer must show genuine efforts to recruit Canadians or permanent residents first, that the wage and working conditions meet market standards, and that hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market.
No, only the Canadian employer can apply for an LMIA. The foreign worker uses the positive LMIA result to support their own work permit application once it's approved.
Hiring foreign workers requires proper LMIA documentation. Our team helps Canadian employers navigate the Labour Market Impact Assessment process efficiently and accurately.