When seeking to hire foreign talents, Canadian employers often encounter the term Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA. Sponsored by Employment and Social Development Canada, this essential document ensures the integration of foreign workers benefits the Canadian job market.
Why an LMIA?
The LMIA process ensures that hiring a foreign worker is beneficial to Canada’s labour market. Businesses might face labour shortages and need temporary foreign workers to meet their operational demands. A positive LMIA confirms that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to fill the position, giving you the green light to hire internationally.
Determining Eligibility: Not all hiring scenarios require an LMIA. Specific conditions exempt employers from needing this assessment, often based on the nature of the job or existing international agreements.
The Recruitment Process: Employers must extensively search for Canadians or permanent residents to fill their vacancies, usually involving at least a month of national job bank advertising. Exceptions apply based on the job type or location.
Applying for an LMIA: This step involves meeting several requirements, including business legitimacy checks, recruitment evidence, and detailed job offers. Application procedures differ depending on whether you’re hiring high-wage or low-wage workers, with unique conditions for each category.
Key Points in the LMIA Process
Exemptions and Work Permits
Certain scenarios allow for LMIA exemptions, and not all foreign workers need a work permit. Various programs and agreements, from the International Mobility Program to Free Trade Agreements, can affect whether you need an LMIA.
Why 4S Canada is Your Ideal LMIA Partner
At 4S Canada, we demystify the complexities of the LMIA process. With our rich experience and profound understanding of the LMIA landscape, we guide Canadian employers seamlessly through every stage, ensuring a smooth hiring process.
Contact us to understand more about your obligations, the process, and how we can assist you every step of the way
You will need to file one LMIA form by employer or in some cases one form for each employee you would like to hire.
LMIA approval times vary depending on the type of process. However, you can expect for the entire process to take a minimum of six weeks, as you will be required to actively advertise a job vacancy for up to 30 days before you can file for an LMIA.
Once you have filed an LMIA, the process will last anywhere between 12 to 48 business days depending on the type of LMIA and system delays by Service Canada. For more detailed information, consult our LMIA Application Processing Time section above. The delay for applications in Quebec can be longer.
Yes. If an employer doesn’t meet the criteria established by Employment and Social Development Canada, an LMIA can be refused.
If your LMIA has been refused, you may file again unless your application has been revoked within the past two years as a result of providing false, misleading or inaccurate information.
On April 4, 2022, Service Canada extended the validity of an LMIA to 18 months. The temporary foreign worker(s) must apply for their respective work permit within those 18 months.
No, an LMIA is a preliminary requirement for employers so that they can be allowed to hire temporary foreign workers. Without a positive LMIA, a work permit cannot be obtained by a foreign worker.
The employer is responsible for paying any fees related to the LMIA process.
Specializing in Hiring Foreign Workers, we streamline the path to global talent for Canadian businesses. Our expertise in Skills Sourcing & Settlement Services ensures a hassle-free process