Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)#
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker.
Purpose and Overview#
An LMIA verifies that:
No Canadian workers are available for the job
Hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact the Canadian labor market
The job offer is genuine and meets labor standards
Application Process#
- Employer Requirements
Advertise position to Canadians first
Meet minimum recruitment requirements
Offer prevailing wage
Submit detailed business information
- Required Documentation
Business registration information
Detailed job description
Recruitment records
Transition plan (if required)
Processing fee payment
- Assessment Criteria
Wages and working conditions
Labor market benefits
Skills transfer and training
Genuine labor shortage
Processing Streams#
Different streams available:
Global Talent Stream
High-wage positions
Low-wage positions
Agricultural workers
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
In-home caregivers
Employer Obligations#
Maintain Canadian workplace standards
Provide same wages and benefits
Maintain proper records
Comply with provincial/territorial laws
Cannot recover LMIA costs from workers
Processing Times#
Vary by stream and priority
Global Talent Stream: 10 business days
Regular processing: Several weeks to months
Subject to change based on volume