Canada LMIA Work Permit
In many employer-driven cases, the Canadian employer must first complete the Labour Market Impact Assessment process before the worker applies for a work permit. The LMIA is not itself a work permit.
General information only. Requirements change. IRCC makes the final decision.
What is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is a document from ESDC confirming a Canadian employer needed to hire a foreign worker because no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the job.
The employer's role
The employer initiates the LMIA process. They must advertise the position, demonstrate recruitment efforts, and meet wage and working conditions requirements. The LMIA is addressed to the specific employer and role.
After a positive LMIA
Once an employer obtains a positive LMIA, the worker can apply for an employer-specific work permit. The permit ties the worker to that employer, role, and location.
What you can expect from a serious review
- A route comparison based on the information provided
- A document and evidence checklist
- Clear decision points
- An explanation of what still needs official verification
- A defined next action
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help deciding what to do next?
Share your goal and a short summary of your situation. We will use it to prepare for an initial discussion. This is not an official immigration assessment.
No result is guaranteed. The value of the review is a clearer route, a better-prepared file and a more informed decision.