What is an LMIA?

An LMIA (labour market impact assessment) is a document showing whether hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or negative effect on Canada's labour market.

What an LMIA proves

According to IRCC, a positive LMIA confirms that:

• no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job;
• the employer really needs a temporary foreign worker.

Most employers need an LMIA before hiring a temporary foreign worker.

Who applies and who pays

• The employer applies for the LMIA, not the worker.
• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) runs the program, assesses applications and issues the decision letter.
• LMIA processing fee: CAD 1,000 per position, paid by the employer.
• The employer and anyone recruiting on its behalf must not charge or recover recruitment fees from the worker, directly or indirectly.

After a positive LMIA

The employer must:

• give the worker a copy of the LMIA decision letter;
• give them Annex A – Employment details;
• tell them to apply for a work permit with IRCC.

When no LMIA is needed

• The worker has an open work permit.
• The job falls under an LMIA exemption in the International Mobility Program (IMP), such as C16 (Francophone Mobility), intra-company transfers (ICT) or free trade agreement workers. The employer then submits a job offer in the Employer Portal and pays a CAD 230 compliance fee.
• The work doesn't require a work permit.

Quebec

Hiring with an LMIA in Quebec also requires a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI).

Note An LMIA is not something to buy or sell. Workers never have to pay for an LMIA; charging recruitment fees to workers is a violation.