Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Canadian companies wishing to hire foreign employees and require them to obtain a closed work permit, in most cases, will need an approved/positive LMIA issued by ESDC. The positive LMIA supports the foreign worker's work permit application with IRCC.

➡️ Find out if you need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker here.

To apply for an LMIA, the employer must: 

• Demonstrate the need to hire the foreign worker by proving that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the position.

• Offer fair working conditions, aligned with Canadian labor standards, including salary, benefits and safe conditions. 💼

• Comply with provincial and federal regulations, ensuring that hiring is transparent and legal. ⚖️

• Make genuine recruitment efforts, such as posting job offers on recognized platforms for a certain period of time. 📈

• Be registered and in good legal standing, with an operating business in Canada. 📋 

• There may be additional requirements depending on the LMIA type.

• Employers who are issued a positive LMIA must comply with certain requirements for the entire duration of the employment of TFWs (Temporary Foreign Workers). More information here. 

All costs associated with the LMIA are the employer's responsibility. These costs cannot be recovered from foreign workers. 

A work permit based on an LMIA is an authorization to work in Canada, granted to a foreign worker who has received a job offer from an employer with an approved LMIA. This permit is generally linked to a specific employer and a particular job. 

Eligibility Requirements for Workers 

To apply for an LMIA-based work permit, foreign workers must meet the following requirements: 

• Valid Job Offer: Have a formal offer from a Canadian employer backed by an approved LMIA. 

• Compliance with IRCC CriteriaDemonstrate that they meet the job requirements, such as work experience, education, and skills. 

• Additional requirements: such as financial sufficiency, admissibility to Canada, payment of fees, etc. 

There are situations where a company does not need an LMIA to hire foreign workers. When a work permit is exempt from LMIA, This means the employer does not need to obtain this approval from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). These work permits are usually issued under specific circumstances, generally based on international agreements (Free Trade Agreements) or Canada's economic, cultural, or social interests. You can view all LMIA exemptions. here. 

➡️ Find out if you need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker here.

At ImmiGoal, we understand how complex the process of obtaining an LMIA and work permit can be. Our licensed immigration consultants will guide you through every step to ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements. 

Our services include: 

• Personalized advice for employers and workers. 

• Preparation and review of LMIA applications. 

• Management of work permits and additional documentation. 

• Representation before ESDC and IRCC.