Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) confirms that there is a need for unique skill set and experience of the foreign worker and that there are no Canadians or permanent residents with those particular “requirements” to fill the spot, and therefore, there will be no negative effect on Canadian job market. LMIA is a step for a temporary resident to obtain a work permit in Canada.
LMIA
Requirements
Process for employer
01. Initial meeting
During our initial meeting, we will determine if you need an LMIA, ensure the job position falls under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and requires an LMIA, and confirm that your business is eligible to apply for an LMIA
02. Recruitment Efforts
Guide you in conducting and documenting recruitment efforts to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents. We will also prepare evidence of why hiring a foreign employee is necessary.
03. Document collection
Our team of experts will help you collect all necessary documents for a successful LMIA application.
04. Submission to IRCC
This is the final step in acquiring LMIA for your business
Process for employee
01. Initial meeting
During our initial meeting, we discuss every step of the process to ensure that everything is completed up to your standard.
02. Document collection
Our team of experts will help you collect all necessary documents for a successful LMIA application. We will also communicate with your employer to advise them as to the steps they need to take (such as job posting) to prepare the documents for a successful LMIA application.
03. Complete the LMIA application
Our team of experts will help you choose the appropriate stream based on the job type and fill out the application form.
04. Submission to IRCC
This is the final step in LMIA application.
Frequently Asked Questions
An LMIA assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market. A positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no qualified Canadian workers are available.
The LMIA process usually ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months. Processing time depends on the LMIA stream.
Employers are generally required to advertise the position across multiple platforms for a minimum duration to demonstrate that efforts have been made to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Specific advertising requirements may vary based on the position and stream.
No, you do not always need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker. Some work permit categories are exempt from the LMIA requirement. Contact us to find out if you need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker.
The TFWP requires an LMIA and is designed to address labor shortages by allowing employers to hire foreign workers temporarily. The IMP does not require an LMIA and includes categories that serve broader economic and cultural interests, such as intra-company transferees and participants in international agreements.
There may be limits, especially for low-wage positions, where employers are restricted in the proportion of foreign workers they can hire compared to their total workforce. It’s important to review the specific guidelines related to your industry and position.
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