Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is Service Canada’s assessment of the likely labour-market effect of hiring a temporary foreign worker. A positive LMIA can support an employer-specific work permit, but it does not itself authorize the foreign national to work in Canada.

Choose the correct LMIA stream

For high-wage and low-wage positions, compare the offered wage with the provincial or territorial hourly wage threshold in effect when the application is submitted. Current thresholds were updated effective July 17, 2026. Employers must also meet the prevailing-wage requirement for the occupation and location.

Recruitment

Most high-wage and low-wage applications require at least three recruitment activities: Job Bank, unless an accepted alternative is justified, plus at least two additional methods appropriate to the occupation. Recruitment records must be retained for inspection. Stream-specific variations can apply.

Employer and job-offer assessment

• Correct NOC occupation, duties and employment location
• Prevailing wage and applicable high/low-wage threshold
• Recruitment and results
• Business legitimacy and ability to meet employment commitments
• Genuine labour need
• Transition plan or low-wage cap requirements where applicable
• Working conditions and provincial employment standards

LMIA fee and timing

The standard LMIA processing fee is generally $1,000 for each position requested, subject to limited exemptions. Employers can generally apply up to six months before the expected job start date. Service Canada publishes monthly processing-time averages, which vary significantly by stream.

LMIA Employer Guides

• LMIA business legitimacy documents: employer checklist
• What happens during an LMIA employer interview?
• High-wage LMIA transition plans
• LMIA requirements for trucking companies

After a positive LMIA

The worker generally uses the positive LMIA and employment documents to apply for an employer-specific work permit. The worker must separately satisfy IRCC’s work-permit, admissibility and temporary-resident requirements.