LMIA Work Permits
Canadian immigration process for foreign workers
The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a key component of the Canadian immigration process for foreign workers seeking employment in Canada. LMIA is used by the Canadian government to assess the impact that hiring a foreign worker will have on the Canadian labor market. It is a document that must be obtained by the employer before a foreign worker can be granted a work permit.
High-Wage Workers:
High-wage workers are foreign workers who are offered a salary that is higher than the median wage for the occupation in the province or territory where they will be working. For high-wage workers, the LMIA process is typically faster and easier than for low-wage workers. The employer must provide evidence that they have tried to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the job but were unable to find a suitable candidate.
The LMIA application process for high-wage workers includes the following steps:
- Job Offer: The employer must make a formal job offer to the foreign worker.
- LMIA Application: The employer must complete and submit an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The application must include information about the job, the foreign worker's qualifications, and the impact the hiring of the foreign worker will have on the Canadian labor market.
- JLMIA Processing: ESDC will review the LMIA application and determine if the hiring of the foreign worker will have a positive or negative impact on the Canadian labor market. If the LMIA is approved, the employer will receive an LMIA certificate.
- JLMIA Processing: ESDC will review the LMIA application and determine if the hiring of the foreign worker will have a positive or negative impact on the Canadian labor market. If the LMIA is approved, the employer will receive an LMIA certificate.
The LMIA application process for high-wage workers includes the following steps:
- Job Offer: The employer must make a formal job offer to the foreign worker.
- LMIA Application: The employer must complete and submit an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The application must include information about the job, the foreign worker's qualifications, and the impact the hiring of the foreign worker will have on the Canadian labor market.
- JLMIA Processing: ESDC will review the LMIA application and determine if the hiring of the foreign worker will have a positive or negative impact on the Canadian labor market. If the LMIA is approved, the employer will receive an LMIA certificate.
- Work Permit Application: The foreign worker must use the LMIA certificate to apply for a work permit. The work permit application must include the LMIA certificate, a job offer letter, and other relevant documents.
Low-Wage Workers:
Low-wage workers are foreign workers who are offered a salary that is lower than the median wage for the occupation in the province or territory where they will be working. The LMIA process for low-wage workers is typically more complex and time-consuming than for high-wage workers. The employer must demonstrate that they have made significant efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the job and that there is no available Canadian worker to fill the position.
The LMIA application process for low-wage workers includes the following steps:
- Job Offer: The employer must make a formal job offer to the foreign worker.
- LMIA Application: The employer must complete and submit an LMIA application to ESDC. The application must include information about the job, the foreign worker's qualifications, and the impact the hiring of the foreign worker will have on the Canadian labor market.
- Advertisements: The employer must advertise the job for at least 4 consecutive weeks in at least 3 different sources. The employer must provide proof of these advertisements as part of the LMIA application.
- JLMIA Processing: ESDC will review the LMIA application and determine if the hiring of the foreign worker will have a positive or negative impact on the Canadian labor market. If the LMIA is approved, the employer will receive an LMIA certificate.
- Work Permit Application: The foreign worker must use the LMIA certificate to apply for a work permit. The work permit application must include the LMIA certificate, a job offer letter, and other relevant documents.