A labour market impact assessment (LMIA), is a document that an employer in Canada may need to obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before being permitted to hire a foreign worker. A positive LMIA shows that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position the employer is seeking. It also demonstrates that there is no Canadian worker or permanent resident available to do the job, ensuring the job cannot be filled by workers from the Canadian labour market.
Find out if you need an LMIA:
Most employers need an LMIA before they can hire a temporary foreign worker. Before you start the hiring process, you must determine if you need an LMIA.
An LMIA confirms
- There is a need for a temporary foreign worker
- No Canadians or permanent residents are available to do the job
To see if you and the temporary foreign worker you want to hire are exempt from needing an LMIA or work permit, do one of the following:
- Review the LMIA exemption codes and work permit exemptions
- Select the LMIA exemption or work permit code that seems most relevant to your hiring situation and read the detailed description
- If an exemption code applies to you, you’ll need to include it in your offer of employment OR
Contact the International Mobility Workers Unit if you’re hiring a temporary foreign worker who is both
- Currently outside Canada
- From a country whose nationals are visa-exempt
How to get an LMIA:
You’ll need an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA application process depends on the type of program you’re hiring through. Find out how to apply for an LMIA to hire
- high-wage workers
- low-wage workers
- workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
- workers through the Agricultural Stream
How to hire if you need an LMIA
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) lets you hire temporary foreign workers to fill labour and skill shortages. Once an LMIA has been issued, you should provide a copy of the confirmation letter to each
temporary foreign worker and tell each of them to apply for a work permit.
You’ll need an LMIA from ESDC, Service Canada.
How to hire if you don’t need an LMIA
The International Mobility Program lets you hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA. Check the LMIA exemption code that matches your respective job posting.
If you hire a temporary foreign worker through the International Mobility Program, you need to
- pay an employer compliance fee
- submit an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal
This must be done before the temporary foreign worker you want to hire can apply for a work permit.