Work permits with an LMIA

Most employers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC before hiring a temporary foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms there is a need for a temporary foreign worker and no Canadians or permanent residents are available to do the job. Employers may hire without an LMIA through the International Mobility Program if an exemption applies, and must include the LMIA exemption code in the offer of employment. (IRPR 200(1)(c)(iii): permit issued where employment is offered and an officer has made a positive determination under 203(1)(a)–(g).)

The employer compares the offered hourly wage with the hourly wage threshold, which is the provincial/territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. At or above the threshold: high-wage stream; below: low-wage stream. Thresholds for LMIAs received as of July 17, 2026 (CAD/hour): AB 37.50; BC 38.40; MB 31.33; NB 31.73; NL 33.60; NT 48.00; NS 31.96; NU 45.00; ON 36.92; PE 31.20; QC 36.00; SK 34.62; YT 45.60. (For LMIAs received June 27, 2025 – July 16, 2026: AB 36.00; BC 36.60; MB 30.16; NB 30.00; NL 32.40; NT 48.00; NS 30.00; NU 42.00; ON 36.00; PE 30.00; QC 34.62; SK 33.60; YT 44.40.)

For positive decisions on LMIA applications received as of May 1, 2024, the LMIA is valid for up to 6 months; the worker must apply for the work permit at IRCC before the LMIA expiry date (the job may start later). ESDC may set a shorter validity (e.g. emergency or warranty work). The 6-month rule applies to all streams except the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. If the deadline is missed, the employer must submit a new LMIA.

Employers must: offer a full-time position (a minimum of 30 hours of work per week); submit a transition plan (mandatory for high-wage positions, with listed exemptions such as certain limited-duration positions of 1 day to 2 years); conduct at least three recruitment activities including a Job Bank ad running a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before applying; pay the prevailing wage (the higher of the Job Bank median wage or the wage paid to current employees in the same job, location, skills and experience); and pay a CAD 1,000 LMIA processing fee per position (non-refundable; exemptions include certain on-farm primary agriculture and some in-home caregiver applications). ESDC's high-wage page states employers may request an employment duration of up to 3 years (longer only in exceptional circumstances).

Under the low-wage stream, the program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers for a maximum of 1 year.

There is a 10% cap on the proportion of temporary foreign workers an employer can hire in low-wage positions per work location (20% for listed sectors/subsectors/occupations such as construction and hospitals). Employers (including private households) with fewer than 10 employees at a work location calculate the cap using a workforce size of 10, so they may employ at most 1 temporary foreign worker in a low-wage position under the 10% cap, or 2 under the 20% cap. Employers in rural areas outside census metropolitan areas in participating provinces and territories may be eligible for temporary measures on this proportion. No cap applies to on-farm primary agriculture, certain healthcare caregiving, PR-only positions, positions of 120 calendar days or less, and seasonal positions not exceeding 270 days. As of September 26, 2024, certain LMIA applications are not processed: positions paid below the provincial/territorial wage threshold located in a census metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher (exemptions on ESDC's 'Refusal to process' page). Low-wage employers must also pay round-trip transportation, ensure suitable affordable housing (shelter under 30% of pre-tax income), provide private health insurance where needed, and advertise for at least 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before applying. LMIA fee: CAD 1,000 per position.

An officer shall not issue a work permit to a foreign national who intends to work in Quebec and does not hold a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) where a determination under IRPR s. 203 (LMIA) is required and Quebec law requires the foreign national to hold a CAQ.