Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Apply for a work visa in Canada, foreign nationals must have an LMIA approval letter. Employers can submit such requests to hire internationals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A foreign worker can get an LMIA-based work permit with confirmation.

LMIA Process

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) receives and handles LMIA requests through eight (8) different channels.

Each category outlines the eligibility, job advertising, forms, supporting papers, processing cost, and timeframe requirements for businesses. While application criteria differ, the goal of assessment is usually to answer the central question. What are the consequences of hiring a foreign worker? Whether it has a beneficial or negative impact on the Canadian Labour market?

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) receives and handles LMIA requests through eight (8) different channels. Each category outlines the eligibility, job advertising, forms, supporting papers, processing cost, and timeframe requirements for businesses. While application criteria differ, the goal of assessment is usually to answer the central question. What are the consequences of hiring a foreign worker? Whether it has a beneficial or negative impact on the Canadian labour market? Each LMIA request is evaluated by ESDC based on seven criteria. It assesses whether Canadian personnel, either citizens or permanent residents, are available to perform the job given to a foreign worker. If not, a letter confirming the hiring of a temporary worker to meet a labour or skill shortfall will be sent. To put it another way, hiring a foreign national must have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market. Temporary employees with a positive LMIA can earn up to 200 extra points in Express Entry, allowing them to immigrate to Canada.

A confirmation letter isn’t usually necessary. Workers can obtain an LMIA-exempt work permit for certain jobs. As a result, a foreign worker with a job offer from a Canadian business can apply for a work permit directly. The confirmation of ESDC is not required, and IRCC can provide work permission without it.

On the other side, there are limitations. Employers who are ineligible cannot apply. If a job is in a prohibited industry sector or vocation, ESDC will not even process it and will most likely reject it.

Do you have a labour shortage and wish to recruit a foreign worker through a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

Contact us at +1 (403) 903-7996 for a consultation, email us at info@ojascanadavisa.com or message us using the contact form below.