LMIA
(Labour Market Impact Assessment)
LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment, which is a document issued by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that employers in Canada may need to obtain before hiring foreign workers. The LMIA is intended to ensure that the employment of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market, and that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the job position. The LMIA process involves the employer demonstrating that they have advertised the job to Canadians first and that the foreign worker will be paid the prevailing wage for that occupation in that location. Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker can use it to apply for a work permit in Canada.
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The employer must demonstrate that they have made an effort to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents before looking to hire foreign workers.
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The job offer must be genuine and must not be created solely for the purpose of bringing a foreign worker to Canada.
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The wages offered to the foreign worker must be similar to the wages offered to Canadian workers in similar jobs in the same geographic area.
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The working conditions offered to the foreign worker must be similar to those offered to Canadian workers in similar jobs in the same geographic area.
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The employer must demonstrate that the employment of the foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labor market.
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The employer must provide evidence that they have the financial ability to pay the wages offered to the foreign worker.
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The foreign worker must have the necessary skills, qualifications, and work experience to perform the job duties required by the employer.