What is Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a temporary foreign worker to fill a specific job that the employer is willing to recruit.
LMIA simply confirms that the temporary work is needed for which Canadians or permanent workers aren’t available to do the job.
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What is the process?
- A positive LMIA ensures the TFW can apply for their work permit/permanent residency to IRCC
- If a Canadian employer would like to hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW) to work in Canada, they may submit a LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada.
- The requirements to obtain a positive LMIA are rigorous and the employer must be prepared to comply with all conditions imposed by ESDC/Service Canada.
Why is LMIA Express Entry?
- Candidates with a qualifying offer in NOC skill level 0, A, or B are awarded an additional 50 points
- Candidates with NOC skill level 00 (senior managerial/executive) qualifying offers are awarded an additional 200 points.
- A valid job offer will give you additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Who is an LMIA Exempt Foreign Worker?
- Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), International Experience Class (IEC) Working Holiday, and Open Work Permit holders do not hold employer specific work permits
- Employers of LMIA exempt temporary foreign workers such as NAFTA Professionals, Intra-Company Transferees and International Experience Class (IEC) Young Professionals, can choose to file LMIA application in order to assist their employees
Frequently Asked Questions
An employer in Canada may need to get a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring temporary foreign workers. The LMIA will show that there is an available job and no Canadian citizen or permanent resident can fill it.
A processing fee of CDN $1,000 applies to each Labour Market Impact Assessment application
Yes in some cases it can be extremely difficult
LMIA processing time can be unpredictable, ranging from a couple of weeks to few months. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has pledged that they will process certain LMIA applications in 10 business days.
A positive LMIA will be issued by Service Canada if an assessment indicates that hiring a temporary foreign worker (TFW) in your company, or any TFW for that matter, is going to have a positive impact on the Canadian labour market. As long as you apply and receive one of these statuses before employing someone from abroad, they should pose no problems whatsoever!
The International Mobility Program allows you to hire a temporary worker without a LMIA
All travelers including temporary workers has to go health checks and a must 14 days quarantine as they arrive in Canada.
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