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Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

  • LMIA is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a specific job that the employer is willing to recruit. This also means that the employer has tried to recruit a Canadian or a permanent resident (candidate) from within Canada, but, no Canadian worker is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.
  • If a Canadian employer has attempted but failed to attract a Canadian or permanent resident and would like to engage a temporary foreign worker (TFW) to work in Canada, they can apply to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada for a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
  • The prerequisites for obtaining a positive LMIA are stringent, and the employer must be willing to comply with all ESDC/Service Canada regulations. Employers should be ready to address inquiries regarding the hiring process, if the job offer is real, and whether they have previously submitted any LMIAs.
  • Temporary Foreign Workers can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit/permanent residency after receiving a positive LMIA
  • Temporary Foreign Workers can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit/permanent residency after receiving a positive LMIA

Express Entry LMIA

  • A genuine employment offer will earn you additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System under Express Entry. Include the LMIA number in your Express Entry profile to demonstrate that you have a valid employment offer.
  • In general, a valid offer is for a full-time, non-seasonal work in a skilled position designated as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B. A valid job offer must, in most situations, be accompanied by a LMIA.
  • Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada must be contacted and a positive LMIA must be obtained. They must also provide you with a copy as well as a written job offer.
  • Candidates who receive a qualifying offer in NOC skill level 0, A, or B will receive an additional 50 points, while candidates who receive a qualifying offer in NOC skill level 00 would receive an additional 200 points.
  • Candidates who receive a qualifying offer in NOC skill level 0, A, or B will receive an additional 50 points, while candidates who receive a qualifying offer in NOC skill level 00 would receive an additional 200 points.

Exempt Foreign Workers LMIA

  • Employers of LMIA-exempt foreign workers, such as NAFTA Professionals, Intra-Company Transferees, and International Experience Class Professionals, can choose to file an LMIA application to help their employees earn an extra 50 points before they have completed one year of experience on an employer-specific work permit.
  • Holders of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), an International Experience Class (IEC) Working Holiday Permit, or an Open Work Permit do not have employer-specific work permits, and hence do not have a qualifying offer of scheduled employment for the purposes of Express Entry.