LMIA Canada: What It Is and How It Works
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is the document a Canadian employer gets from ESDC before hiring a foreign worker. The employer applies, recruits and pays the $1,000 fee, which it may never charge the worker. A positive LMIA is valid for up to 6 months and supports an employer-specific work permit.
$1,000
The LMIA fee per position, paid by the employer
$155
The work permit fee, paid by the worker
$85
Biometrics, paid by the worker ($170 family maximum)
$230
The employer compliance fee for an LMIA-exempt job
The Fee Calculator adds the worker’s own permit and biometrics fees.
What is an LMIA, and what does ESDC check?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document a Canadian employer may need to obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC/Service Canada) before hiring a foreign worker under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). A positive LMIA (sometimes called a "confirmation letter") is what lets the worker apply for an employer-specific work permit. An officer or ESDC makes the final decision in every case.
The LMIA protects the Canadian labour market by ensuring that:
- No qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the position
- Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect Canadian wages or working conditions
- The employer has made genuine efforts to recruit Canadians first
- The foreign worker will be paid at or above the prevailing wage for the occupation and region
The rule
Employer-specific work permits generally require a positive LMIA unless an exemption applies.
How does an employer get an LMIA?
Determine the wage category
Compare the offered wage to the threshold for the province or territory, which ESDC sets at the median hourly wage plus 20%. At or above it is generally a high-wage LMIA; below it is a low-wage LMIA.
Conduct recruitment efforts
Advertise on Job Bank (mandatory) plus at least 2 additional methods suited to the occupation. High-wage positions need at least 4 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before applying, and low-wage positions at least 8 consecutive weeks.
Prepare the LMIA application
Complete the LMIA form for your stream (canada.ca lists the form numbers), with business legitimacy documents, recruitment evidence, a transition plan (high-wage) and the job offer details.
Pay the processing fee
Per position, paid by the employer and non-refundable even if the LMIA is denied. The seasonal agricultural stream pays no fee.
$1,000
Submit through LMIA Online
Submit up to 6 months before the expected job start date, with proof of recruitment and the fee payment.
Respond to any requests
Service Canada may request additional information or clarification.
Receive the LMIA decision
A positive LMIA comes as a confirmation letter with an LMIA number, which the employer shares with the worker. It is valid for up to 6 months: the exact date is in its "LMIA Validity Period" field, and IRCC or the CBSA must receive the work permit application by that date.
What changes between a high-wage and a low-wage LMIA?
| Feature | High-wage | Low-wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wage threshold | At or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20% | Below that threshold |
| Transition plan | Required: a plan to reduce reliance on TFWs over time | No transition plan |
| Cap on low-wage TFWs | No cap | Generally 10% of the workforce at a worksite (some sectors differ) |
| Maximum employment duration | The employer may request up to 3 years | A maximum of 1 year |
| Transportation and housing | Not on ESDC's high-wage list of requirements | Employer pays round-trip transportation and must provide or ensure suitable and affordable housing |
| Health insurance | Where applicable, the employer pays private emergency medical insurance until provincial or territorial coverage applies | The same as high-wage |
The low-wage stream has been tightened since 2024. ESDC will not process certain low-wage LMIA applications submitted as of September 26, 2024, for a work location in a census metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions include primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, some in-home caregiver positions and short-duration positions.
Caps, durations and the exact threshold change. Check the current median wage by province (opens in a new tab) on canada.ca.
Which work permits need no LMIA?
These categories are exempt under IRPR r.204, r.205 and r.206. The employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal and pays a $230 compliance fee instead of the LMIA fee.
- CUSMA/USMCA (formerly NAFTA), R204: eligible US and Mexican citizens, including listed Professionals, Intra-Company Transferees, Traders and Investors.
- Intra-company transfers under a trade agreement such as CUSMA, CETA or CPTPP (R204). A general transfer within a multinational falls under R205(a).
- International Experience Canada (IEC): Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op.
- Significant benefit (R205(a)): C10 is the general code and C11 covers entrepreneurs. Reciprocal employment (R205(b)) and charitable or religious work are exempt too.
- Open permits such as Bridging Open Work Permits, Post-Graduation Work Permits and some Spousal Open Work Permits.
- Francophone Mobility (R205(c)(ii)): French-speaking workers hired outside Quebec, in any TEER category except a primary agriculture job in TEER 4 or 5, with French speaking and listening skills at NCLC 5 or higher.
The LMIA-exempt work permit guide lists the categories.
How do the Global Talent Stream and SAWP work?
- Global Talent Stream
- A fast-tracked LMIA under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The LMIA service standard is 10 business days, 80% of the time, and the same for IRCC's work permit processing. The $1,000 fee still applies, and the employer must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan.
- Category A
- For employers referred by a designated partner, such as the Council of Canadian Innovators. The mandatory benefit is creating jobs for Canadians and permanent residents, and the hire must be unique and specialized talent.
- Category B
- For employers hiring in occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List, such as software engineers and data scientists. No referral is required; the mandatory benefit is increasing skills and training investments.
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
- Farm employers hire temporary workers from Mexico and participating Caribbean countries for up to 8 months between January 1 and December 15. The LMIA fee is waived, and the employer provides inspected housing, transportation to and from Canada and workplace safety insurance. SAWP does not lead to permanent residence directly.
What does an LMIA cost, and how long does it take?
- Fees
- $1,000 CAD per position, non-refundable, and $0 for SAWP. The worker pays the work permit fee and biometrics.
- Processing
- Standard LMIA processing varies; check current times on canada.ca.
- LMIA validity
- Up to 6 months after approval.
Which free tool checks your own case?
- NOC FinderYour occupation code and TEER level
- Fee CalculatorCurrent government fees, itemized
- Processing TimesIRCC wait times by program
Free, with no account. What you enter in a tool stays in your browser.
What do people ask?
What does LMIA mean in Canada?
LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment. It is a decision from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on whether hiring a foreign worker will displace an available Canadian or undercut wages and working conditions. A positive LMIA, sometimes called a confirmation letter, lets the worker apply for an employer-specific work permit. The Work Permit Canada page explains the permit step that follows.
Can a worker apply for their own LMIA?
No. The Canadian employer submits the LMIA application, runs the recruitment and pays the $1,000 fee. A worker asked to pay for the LMIA or file it should report this to Service Canada, because it breaks program rules. Once the employer has a positive LMIA, the worker applies for the work permit while it is valid, for up to 6 months. The LMIA process explained guide walks through each step.
How much does an LMIA cost, and can the employer charge me?
The employer pays $1,000 CAD per position, and the fee is non-refundable even if the LMIA is refused. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program employers pay no LMIA fee. An employer may never recover the fee from the worker: IRPR s.203(1)(e)(i) and s.209.3 prohibit it. Report any such request to Service Canada's confidential tip line. The Fee Calculator adds the worker's own permit and biometrics fees.
How long does an LMIA take to process?
It depends on the stream. The Global Talent Stream has a service standard of 10 business days, 80% of the time, while standard streams can take considerably longer, and times change often. Completeness and any ESDC request for more information also affect the wait. A positive LMIA is valid for up to 6 months, so the worker should apply within that window. The Processing Times page links the current figures.
How do I find LMIA jobs in Canada?
Start with Job Bank, Canada's official job board, which lists jobs from Canadian employers who want to recruit temporary foreign workers. ESDC prioritizes LMIA applications in a list of health care, agriculture and food processing occupations. Tech workers can look for employers that use the Global Talent Stream. The employer applies for the LMIA. The guide on getting a Canadian job offer from abroad covers the search.
What is the difference between a high-wage and a low-wage LMIA?
The offered wage decides it. ESDC sets the line at the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. High-wage applications need a transition plan. Low-wage applications face a cap on low-wage foreign workers at a work location, a maximum duration of 1 year (high-wage: up to 3 years) and duties such as transportation and housing. ESDC will not process certain low-wage applications for a work location in a census metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, with exceptions for some sectors. The LMIA process explained guide covers both streams.
What is an LMIA-exempt work permit?
It is a work permit that skips the LMIA under the International Mobility Program. The employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal and pays a $230 compliance fee instead of the $1,000 LMIA fee. Common categories include CUSMA professionals, intra-company transfers, International Experience Canada and Francophone Mobility. Open permits such as the PGWP are exempt too. The LMIA-exempt work permit guide lists the categories.
Can an LMIA help me get permanent residence?
Indirectly. Since November 3, 2026, a job offer in Express Entry does not need an LMIA to earn CRS points: job offer points (100, 70 or 50) go only to qualifying offers in occupations on IRCC's high-wage list, and IRCC says having an LMIA gives no extra CRS points or priority. Under a temporary public policy, officers may also exempt the LMIA for Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades job offers. Working in Canada on an LMIA-based permit still builds Canadian work experience, which earns CRS points and can open the Canadian Experience Class after about a year of eligible work. An officer assesses each profile. The Canadian Experience Class guide explains that route to permanent residence.
Part of:Working in CanadaWork permits
- Can You Buy an LMIA? The Law on LMIA Fraud
- How to Get a Canadian Job Offer From Abroad
- In-Demand Jobs in Canada 2026
- How to Extend Your Work Permit in Canada
The textbook on this subject
Volume 2: Immigrating to Canada $79
The economic and family pathways to permanent residence, explained from the published criteria.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.