Canada’s immigration legislation recognizes that foreign workers can bring in skills and expertise which can help Canadian employers, thereby helping to strengthen Canadian economy. Canadian government also realizes that the employment of these foreign workers should not have any negative effect on the Canadian labor market. So, through a comprehensive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to the Service Canada department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the employer will have to prove that the employment of these foreign workers will have a neutral or positive effect on the Canadian labor market. They will also have to show that they were not able to find a suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the specific job position. There are a number of factors which the Service Canada officer will assess before rendering a final decision. LMIA is a very elaborate application and has complex and specific advertising requirements.

As an employer, you may be looking to hire a new foreign worker or retain an existing foreign worker or even help him/her obtain Canadian permanent residency so that he/she can work for you on permanent basis. A foreign worker can work for you, as long as they are authorized to work under a valid work permit.

Broadly, a foreign worker can obtain their work authorization through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program. An LMIA is required if the foreign worker is submitting their work permit application through Temporary Foreign Worker Program. If applying through one of the International Mobility Program categories, a foreign worker is NOT required to have an LMIA before submitting his/her work permit application. Generally, if you are supporting a foreign worker for permanent residency, you will have to provide him/her a copy of Positive LMIA along with a job offer letter before he/she submits his/her permanent residency application.

Our owner, Akshar Mistry, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC), can assist you in preparing an LMIA application and represent you in front of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Based on the information you provide; he will assess which LMIA stream is applicable to you and provide you a customized solution.

Some Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) streams include:

  • High Wage Stream
  • Low Wage Stream
  • Global Talent Stream
  • Academics Stream
  • Agricultural Stream
  • Support Skilled Worker’s Permanent Residency