Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Based Work Permit for Employer-Specific Work Permits
Purpose
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that shows whether hiring a temporary foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market. It is the first step for most employers who want to hire a foreign worker under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Establishing the Need for Temporary Foreign Workers
The employer must show that no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the job, since priority is given to hiring Canadians and permanent residents. The LMIA was formerly known as a Labour Market Opinion (LMO), but the purpose is the same.
Role of the Employer
The LMIA must be requested by the employer, not by the foreign worker. The employer pays a processing fee of CAD $1,000 for each position requested in the application. The fee is non-refundable and the employer cannot recover it from the worker.
Exemptions
Some positions do not require an LMIA, for example under the International Mobility Program. In those cases the employer submits an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and an LMIA exemption code is required. The current codes are published on the Government of Canada website.
LMIA Application Process
The employer submits the LMIA application to ESDC (Service Canada). ESDC will assess whether qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available for the job, whether the employer made genuine recruitment efforts to hire them first, and whether the wage offered meets the required level for the position. The employer must select a job title and National Occupation Classification (NOC) code and advertise the position accurately.
The route depends on the type of worker being hired:
- High-wage stream: the wage offered is at or above the provincial or territorial wage threshold.
- Low-wage stream: the wage offered is below that threshold.
- Global Talent Stream: a faster route for eligible employers hiring highly skilled specialized talent.
- Agricultural streams: the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and the Agricultural Stream.
High-Wage and Low-Wage Thresholds
The threshold is the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Applications received on or after July 17, 2026 are assessed against the updated thresholds below; earlier applications use the previous thresholds. Confirm the current figures on the Government of Canada website before applying.
| Province / Territory | Previous threshold (CAD/hour) | Threshold from July 17, 2026 (CAD/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $36.00 | $37.50 |
| British Columbia | $36.60 | $38.40 |
| Manitoba | $30.16 | $31.33 |
| New Brunswick | $30.00 | $31.73 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $32.40 | $33.60 |
| Northwest Territories | $48.00 | $48.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 | $31.96 |
| Nunavut | $42.00 | $45.00 |
| Ontario | $36.00 | $36.92 |
| Prince Edward Island | $30.00 | $31.20 |
| Quebec | $34.62 | $36.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.60 | $34.62 |
| Yukon | $44.40 | $45.60 |
Advertising and Recruitment
- High-wage positions: the job must be advertised for at least 4 consecutive weeks.
- Low-wage positions: the job must be advertised for at least 8 consecutive weeks, and the recruitment must target different audiences, including under-represented groups.
High-Wage Transition Plan
Employers hiring high-wage workers must generally submit a transition plan describing their commitment to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers over time.
Low-Wage Limits and Restrictions
A transition plan is not required for low-wage positions, but the employer is limited in how many low-wage temporary foreign workers it can have:
- No more than 10% of the workforce at the work location can be low-wage temporary foreign workers.
- The cap is 20% for certain sectors: construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and in-home caregivers.
- Low-wage LMIA applications are not processed for jobs located in census metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher, with some sector exceptions. ESDC updates the list every quarter, so check it before applying.
- Quebec has paused low-wage LMIA processing in the Montreal and Laval regions until December 31, 2026.
Decision
ESDC decides the LMIA. A positive (or neutral) LMIA means there is a need for a temporary foreign worker and no Canadian or permanent resident is available to do the job. The employer gives a copy of the decision to the worker, who then applies for the work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision on the work permit.
Work Permit Application for Foreign Workers
The LMIA decision must be included with the work permit application. These are employer-specific (closed) work permits: the foreign national can only work in the specific job, for the employer and at the location listed on the LMIA.
Requirements
There may be special requirements depending on where and when you apply, but at a minimum, you must:
- Prove you will leave Canada when the permit expires;
- Show you have enough funds to support yourself and any family members while in Canada and to return home;
- Have no record of criminal activity;
- Not be a danger to Canadian security;
- Be in good health and complete a medical exam if required;
- Not work for an employer listed as “ineligible” or one that regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Requirements and processes change often and are complex. Oro Immigration Services helps employers and applicants with both the LMIA and the work permit to increase the chances of success.