Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Here are some key points about the LMIA process in Canada:

1.     Purpose: The primary purpose of the LMIA is to ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on Canadian citizens or permanent residents in terms of employment opportunities.

2.     Employer's Responsibility: Employers in Canada are generally required to obtain an LMIA before they can hire a foreign worker. They must demonstrate that they have made efforts to hire Canadians for the position and that hiring a foreign worker is necessary.

3.     Application Process: Employers must submit an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), depending on the specific job offer and circumstances. The application requires the employer to provide detailed information about the position, recruitment efforts, wages, and benefits offered to the foreign worker.

4.     Impact Assessment: The ESDC or IRCC will assess the job offer and its impact on the Canadian labor market. They will consider factors such as the availability of Canadians or permanent residents to fill the position, wages being offered, working conditions, and the employer's compliance with labor standards.

5.     Positive LMIA: If the application is approved, the employer will receive a positive LMIA. This document allows the foreign worker to apply for a work permit from IRCC. A positive LMIA demonstrates that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the position.

6.     Work Permit Application: With a positive LMIA, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit to come to Canada. The work permit application will be assessed by IRCC, considering factors such as the worker's qualifications, admissibility, and the specific job offer.