What Is an LMIA and Why Does Your Job Offer Depend on It?

You got a job offer from a Canadian employer. Things were moving along, and then the employer mentioned they need to get an LMIA before they can proceed. Now you are wondering what that is, how long it takes, and whether you should be worried.

Here is everything you need to know about the LMIA, explained without the immigration jargon.

What LMIA Stands For and What It Does

LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment. It is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to a Canadian employer that assesses whether hiring a specific foreign worker for a specific position will have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market.

In plain terms, it is the government’s way of confirming that the employer genuinely tried to hire a Canadian first, could not find a suitable Canadian candidate, and that bringing in a foreign worker makes sense for the position and the wage being offered.

A positive LMIA is then used as a key document in the foreign worker’s work permit application to IRCC.

Who Applies for the LMIA: You or Your Employer?

The employer applies for the LMIA, not you. This is a critical distinction. The LMIA process is entirely on the employer’s side of the equation. You, as the worker, cannot initiate or submit an LMIA. Your role is to respond to requests for your information and documents that your employer or their representative will need to include in the application.

This means that if your employer is not actively pursuing the LMIA, the process will not move. Following up regularly and professionally with your employer on the status of their LMIA application is both appropriate and often necessary.

What Does a Positive LMIA Actually Mean?

A positive LMIA means ESDC has assessed the employer’s application and determined that it is acceptable for a foreign worker to fill the specified position. It confirms that the job offer is legitimate, the wage meets or exceeds the prevailing rate for that occupation in that region, and the hiring of a foreign worker is appropriate for the labour market.

A positive LMIA document contains a specific LMIA number, which you as the worker will include in your work permit application to IRCC. The LMIA itself is not your work permit. It is the document that supports your work permit application.

What Is a Negative LMIA?

A negative LMIA means ESDC determined that the employer’s application did not meet the requirements. This could be because the recruitment efforts were deemed insufficient, the wage being offered was below the prevailing rate for the occupation, or there were concerns about the legitimacy of the job offer. A negative LMIA means the employer-specific work permit process stops at that point. The employer can appeal or reapply, but you cannot proceed with a work permit based on a negative LMIA.

What Is an LMIA Exemption and Is Your Job Offer Exempt?

Not every job offer requires an LMIA. LMIA exemptions exist for positions covered under international trade agreements, intracompany transfers, workers with significant benefit to Canada, and several other categories. If your job falls into an exempt category, the employer can support your work permit application using an exemption code rather than going through the LMIA process. This is significantly faster.

Knowing whether your specific job offer is LMIA-exempt is one of the most valuable questions to answer early in your process. A regulated immigration consultant can assess this based on your job duties, your employer’s business, and the specific immigration stream.

How Long Does an LMIA Take?

Standard LMIA processing at ESDC currently runs approximately two to five months. Some categories, including agricultural positions and caregiving roles, have dedicated streams with different processing timelines. Global Talent Stream LMIAs, which cover certain technology and highly skilled roles, have a processing target of two weeks.

After the LMIA is issued, your work permit application to IRCC adds additional processing time. Plan for a total of six to nine months from the start of the LMIA process to receiving your work permit and being ready to start work.

Frequently Asked Questions