LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA (formerly known as LMO or Labour Market Opinion) is a letter (sometimes called Confirmation/job letter) issued by one department of the federal government of Canada. Canadian employers need LMIA if they want to hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW). There are very few exceptions to that rule. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) formerly known as HRSDC - Human Resources and Skills Development Canada issues a positive or neutral LMIA .
Canadian employers only hire foreign worker when they want to fill vacant position, but before hiring foreign national they need to make a genuine effort to search permanent resident or Canadian citizen for the position.
There are several streams within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Requirements for those programs and assessment process for each individual stream may vary slightly.
Employer offering wage to foreign worker that is at or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- LMIA processing fees
If the employer has the names of foreign worker it can be added along with the application or it can be added later once the application is approved.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.
For all trucking applications:
- Current copy of your carrier profile / public profile document
- National safety certificate number, and
- Current fleet insurance
Employer offering wage to foreign worker that is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- LMIA processing fees
If the employer has the names of foreign worker it can be added along with the application or it can be added later once the application is approved.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.
Employers who wish to hire skilled foreign workers and support their permanent resident visa application can make a job offer under (IRCC) Express Entry system. The job offer must meet the criteria of FSWP, FSTP & CEC.
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- LMIA processing fees
Employer needs to have the foreign worker ready. Foreign worker could also be working with employer.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.
Primary agriculture is a farm, nursery or greenhouse, be consistent with one of these National Occupational Classification codes: 80020, 80021, 82030, 82031, 84120, 85100, 85101 and 85103.
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- Employers must provide TFWs with adequate, suitable and affordable housing as defined by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
- The LMIA processing fee does not apply to occupations related to primary agriculture
If the employer has the names of foreign worker it can be added along with the application or it can be added later once the application is approved.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.
This Stream, which is a part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, is designed for innovative firms in Canada that are referred to Employment and Social Development Canada by a designated referral partner and that need unique and specialized foreign nationals in order to scale-up and grow.
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- LMIA processing fees
- Need to develop a labour market benefits plan
If the employer has the names of foreign worker it can be added along with the application or it can be added later once the application is approved.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.
Employing foreign academics can help degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in Canada meet their staffing and teaching needs and attract new knowledge and expertise to Canadian campuses.
An academic is an individual with at least one postgraduate degree (following a Bachelor’s degree) who earns the majority of their income from teaching or conducting research as employees at universities and university colleges in Canada.
Documents needed for LMIA Application:
- LMIA Application form or done online
- Business legitimacy proof: Could be PD7a, City business license, Company financial documents like Schedule 100 & 125. New businesses can get letter from CPA or lawyer regarding financial capability
- Proof of Recruitment efforts
- LMIA processing fees
If the employer has the names of foreign worker it can be added along with the application or it can be added later once the application is approved.
In applicable provinces/territories (P/Ts), employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW is not covered by the applicable P/T health insurance system.