Labour Market Impact Assessment

We have all the answers to your LMIA questions. Find out what you need, when it’s required and how much that will cost!

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What is LMIA?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that most Canadian employers need before they can hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW).

Meaning of LMIA

LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Purpose of LMIA

This document’s primary purpose is to ensure that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively affect the Canadian labour market.

In other words, LMIA ensures that:

There is a need to hire a temporary foreign worker
No Canadians or permanent residents are available to do the job

In some cases, workers might be exempt from LMIA.

Who Can Provide LMIA?

LMIA is an employer process. All fees associated with LMIA are paid by employers. The Assessment is not meant to be issued to a worker. Talk to your employer first to find out if they provide LMIA support.

Once the employer receives LMIA, the worker applies for the work permit.

LMIA: New Rules

As of September 2024, the Canadian government has restructured the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) streams to streamline the process for hiring temporary foreign workers.

Recent policy changes have led to the consolidation and modification of these streams. Notably, the High-wage and Low-wage streams have undergone significant adjustments:

High-Wage Stream: Effective November 8, 2024, the wage threshold for this stream increased by 20% above the provincial or territorial median wage. This change aims to prioritize the hiring of domestic workers and reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers.
Low-Wage Stream: Starting September 26, 2024, several measures were implemented:
- LMIA applications for low-wage positions in areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher are no longer processed, with certain sectoral exceptions.
- The cap on the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers per employer has been reduced to 10% in many sectors.
- The maximum employment duration for low-wage positions has been decreased from two years to one year.

LMIA Edmonton: Employer Requirements

To be able to apply for an LMIA in Edmonton, employers must prove they are actively conducting business.

In addition, an employer must also meet the following requirements:

Employer must be actively engaged in business: must have a legal status and must have active operations, providing goods and services
Must have a physical location in Edmonton, where the employee will work and must be able to provide stable employment for the period requested.
The company must not be sex-industry related, in the non-compliance list or in default of a non-compliance financial penalty
Must prove that s/he has made reasonable efforts to hire Canadian citizens/Permanent residents by showing advertising and interview records. Must also substantiate why other candidates cannot be hired after the interviews.
Cooperate with an on-site inspection if required.
Must pay the employee not less than the prevailing wage on the Offer of Employment
Any deductions must be agreed on in the Offer of Employment
Any changes that negatively affect the employee may require a new work permit.
If the employee is unsure if they are violating the terms of employment, they can voluntarily disclose information to ESDC.

When is LMIA needed?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment is required if you are hiring a temporary foreign worker under one of the following programs:

High-wage workers
Low-wage workers
Workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Workers through the Agricultural Stream

When an LMIA is NOT Required?

Hiring through the International Mobility Program (IMP).
If the job falls under an LMIA exemption code.
If hiring Francophone or bilingual workers outside Quebec under Francophone Mobility.

Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?

How Do I Know Which Stream I Apply Under?

First check what is the median wage for your position in specific location. Then check if the wage is above or under provincial and territorial wage threshold to determine if the wage qualify for high or low-wage stream.

If you are offering a salary at or above the median wage in your province/territory, select the high-wage stream

Conversely, if the hourly wage is below the median, employers should select the low-wage stream.

Seasonal Agricultural Worker is a simplified program that has been designed for citizens of participating countries (see the list below) who wish to work in the agricultural sector.

Agricultural stream is a program open for on-farm work in specific commodity sectors (poultry, livestock, grains, flowers etc as defined by the Canadian Government).

What Should I Do if I Need to Change the Stream?

You will need to cancel your current application and reapply under a different stream.

Can Employers Hire an External LMIA Consultant?

Yes! The Canadian Government accepts applications from employers and their designated representatives. This means that you can process paperwork internally or have it done for you by a certified professional. The latter option is more expedient because you only contract an outside immigration consultant when you need the service vs. having to keep an in-house specialist dealing with LMIA applications.

LIVIN Immigration, led by Justyna Dzioch, is officially authorized by the Canadian government to represent employers and submit LMIA applications on their behalf. We encourage you to work with professionals and eliminate the risk of rejection from the government.

Justyna has a proven track record of positive LMIA decisions from the Ministry of Development and Social Development (ESDC) of Canada.

Here are some reviews from happy clients!

Hi Justyna, Thank you for assisting us with the LMIA and PR applications. Everything is going well now, and we are happy to have you as a immigration consultant. Me and my husband are together since April. We would like to thank you for all that you did for our family, and all your support. We are very grateful ! Mihaela

Feel free to reach out to us via phone, or website or come to see us in person!

What Can an LMIA Consultant Do?

A consultant or lawyer can:

Determine if an LMIA is required for the position.
Prepare and submit the LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Help with compliance requirements (e.g., fair wages, job posting rules).
Guide the foreign worker in applying for a work permit after the LMIA is approved.

When Should Employers Apply for LMIA?

Application should be filed up to 6 months prior to the expected date of hire.

How to Receive LMIA

To receive LMIA, the employer must provide a set of documents showing the need for foreign temporary work, prove the legitimacy of the business, and prove that LMIA payment has been made.

Employers should also demonstrate that they have taken reasonable efforts to find qualified Canadian workers to fill the position, however, has not been able to do so. This includes evidence of job advertisement, interview records with substantiation why this candidate is not a good fit.

Who Issues LMIA?

LMIA is issued by the Ministry of Employment and Social Development (ESDC) by conducting on-site inspections on behalf of the IRCC.

A positive LMIA means that the employee has been able to prove to the authorities that a foreign worker is needed, and as a next step employee can apply for a work permit.

Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?

LMIA Application Process

The LMIA process starts with checking whether you are exempt or not. Some occupation codes are exempt from LMIA, and you might be able to hire a temporary worker without having to apply for LMIA. Therefore, we recommend that you refer to the exemption codes first or ask for a consultation if needed.

Once the need for LMIA has been determined, you are free to initiate the process.

This application process is two-fold: the employer submits an application to ESDC and the employee applies for a work permit when positive decision on LMIA is rendered.The application is submitted via the LMIA application portal or via e-mail to specific office.

The LMIA application is processed remotely and no in-person meetings are required, but if the officer has doubts about the job offer, an on-site inspection can be done. Additionally, LMIA/Work Permit applications can be refused or the employer can be contacted to provide clarification before making the final decision.

LMIA Application Processing Time

Initiating your LMIA application takes up to 10 minutes via an LMIA Online Portal. Preparation of the application and supporting documents can take hours. LMIA is a very technical application.

Depending on the stream you choose, your application processing time can range from 7 business days (Global Talent Stream) to 76 business days (Low Wage Stream).

As of January 2025, the average processing times are:

Global Talent Stream: 7 business days
Agricultural Stream: 22 business days
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 14 business days
High-Wage Stream: 68 business days
Low-Wage Stream: 76 business days
Permanent Resident Stream: 156 business days

The general rule of thumb is that highest-demand, highest-paid, shortest duration occupations (the so-called ‘skilled trades’) are usually processed within the shortest possible time. Conversely, applications to hire low-paid, long-term workers are processed at a slower pace.

Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?

LMIA Processing Fee

The processing fee for every temporary foreign worker is $1000. The only exception is when families are applying for a caregiver to provide care to someone with medical needs or when the family income is less than $150,000.

LMIA Restrictions in Alberta Lifted on May 1, 2022

On May 1, 2022 the Government of Alberta announced that restrictions on certain occupations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program would be lifted.

Restrictions were introduced on November 2, 2020 as a COVID-19 response and covered 475 occupations that were added to ‘The Refusal to Process list’.

This measure was introduced to prioritize jobs for Albertans. This limitation has now been cancelled and businesses in Alberta are free to recruit Temporary Foreign Workers as usual.

LMIA Employer List in Alberta

Here is a list of employers in Alberta, who were issued a positive LMIA. Please note that while LMIA is employee specific and these LMIAs were issued to employees already hired, there is a chance that this employer will support you in your LMIA efforts.

LMIA Jobs in Edmonton & Alberta

Many employers specify in the job advertisements that they have LMIA available if required. Jobs that offer LMIA in Edmonton and Alberta can be found online via job sites.

The most popular trades are cooks, food industry supervisors, construction workers, retail and sales supervisors, and truck drivers. The list, however, isn’t exhaustive – the list of LMIA job openings is actually extensive, so feel free to apply for the job of your dream! Once a hiring decision is made by the employer and there is a labour shortage in the Canadian workforce, they may apply for an LMIA, and if a positive decision is made it will allow you to apply for a work permit.

Work with Best LMIA Consultants in Edmonton

We proudly provide immigration consulting services across Canada, assisting clients in major cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Surrey, Kelowna, and Mississauga. Our team is dedicated to guiding individuals and families through the complexities of immigration, from visa applications to permanent residency and citizenship. No matter where you are, we are committed to offering professional support tailored to your unique immigration needs.

Here is what our clients say about us:

“Justyna did our LMIA application. This was my second LMIA application and I was surprised how smooth and stress free was the whole process. Justyna was very supportive and did excellent job! I truly recommend her services!!”

Get in touch with us today at (780) 975-9159 to discuss your LMIA application.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Edmonton