The Low-Wage Stream applies where the offered wage is below the applicable provincial or territorial hourly wage threshold. Thresholds were updated effective July 17, 2026. Employers must also pay at least the applicable prevailing wage for the occupation and location.
Refusal to process in certain CMAs
Service Canada currently refuses to process many low-wage LMIA applications where the work location is in a census metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. The CMA unemployment table is updated quarterly. Exceptions apply to specified sectors and occupations, so the work location, NAICS sector and NOC should be checked immediately before filing.
Low-wage cap
The general cap is 10% of the workforce at a specific work location. A 20% cap currently applies to specified positions in construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities and certain in-home caregiver occupations. Rural temporary measures apply in participating provinces and territories, but Ontario is not participating in the current rural measures.
Maximum duration
Low-wage positions are generally limited to a maximum employment duration of one year, subject to program-specific exceptions such as primary agriculture.
Employer obligations
- Recruitment and advertising meeting the applicable requirements
- Business legitimacy and genuine labour need
- Prevailing wage and employment agreement
- Low-wage cap calculation
- Round-trip transportation obligations where applicable
- Suitable and affordable housing requirements where applicable
- Health insurance where the worker is not yet covered by the provincial or territorial plan
- Workplace safety and compliance with employment law
Immigration criteria, document requirements and public policies can change. Advice should be based on the rules and facts applicable when you apply.