LMIA Application Canada Expert LMIA Work Permit Services
Hiring skilled foreign workers in Canada starts with a successful LMIA Application Canada. CHD Immigration provides professional guidance through every step — document preparation, application submission, and employer compliance support.
98%
Application Success
5000+
Applications Assisted
Licensed
Immigration Experts
What Is an LMIA Application Canada?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an official document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It allows Canadian employers to hire qualified foreign workers when no suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the position.
A positive LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral impact on Canada’s labour market. Once an employer receives a positive LMIA, the foreign worker can usually apply for a Canadian work permit. LMIA plays an important role in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), helping businesses fill genuine labour shortages while maintaining fair employment practices.
Who needs an LMIA? Employers hiring in Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Agriculture, Transportation, Manufacturing, Food Services, IT, and Skilled Trades most commonly use the LMIA process to recruit qualified international workers.
See the Full Document Checklist ↓High Wage LMIA
Applies when the offered wage meets or exceeds the provincial median hourly wage. Employers must show genuine recruitment efforts, competitive wages, and usually a transition plan explaining how they’ll reduce reliance on foreign workers over time. Common for skilled professionals, engineers, managers and healthcare workers.
Low Wage LMIA
Applies when the wage offered is below the provincial median. May involve added obligations such as transportation assistance, housing support, workplace inspections, and limits on the number of temporary foreign workers.
Agricultural & Seasonal LMIA
Special streams for agricultural employers and industries with seasonal labour needs, such as farming, tourism, and hospitality.
Check Who Needs an LMIA
Before applying, confirm both sides of the hire meet ESDC’s requirements.
You, the Employer
- Genuine, actively operating Canadian business
- No qualified Canadian citizen or PR available for the role
- Not in default on any previous LMIA or compliance review
- Able to pay the offered wage and meet labour standards
- Committed to paying fair wages and providing safe working conditions
- Willing to maintain employment records and cooperate during inspections
Your Foreign Worker
- Has a genuine job offer that matches the NOC code
- Meets the education / experience needs of the role
- Passes medical, security and background checks
- Offer is for real, ongoing employment — not for immigration purposes only
- May qualify for an LMIA exemption under CUSMA, intra-company transfers, or significant benefit provisions
LMIA Documents Checklist
Here is the complete, categorized checklist our consultants use to review every file before it’s submitted to ESDC.
Business Documents
- Business licence
- CRA registration
- Payroll records
- Financial documents
Recruitment Documents
- Job advertisements
- Recruitment reports
- Interview records
- Candidate assessment notes
Employee Information
- Job title & wage offered
- Working hours
- Employment contract
- Job responsibilities
Supporting Documents
- Company information
- Transition plan (for High Wage LMIA, where applicable)
- Additional ESDC forms
LMIA Exemption Documents
- Proof of CUSMA / international agreement eligibility
- Intra-company transfer documentation
- Significant benefit to Canada evidence (where applicable)
Not sure what applies to you? Every file is different — our consultants build a personalized checklist for your exact occupation and stream.
Step-by-Step Application Process
From recruitment to a positive decision — here’s how the LMIA journey works.
Determine If an LMIA Is Required
Confirm whether the position needs a standard LMIA or qualifies under an LMIA exemption code based on international agreements, public policies, or employer-specific situations.
Advertise the Position
Advertise the job across the Government Job Bank, industry-specific job websites, your company website and local recruitment platforms — and keep every recruitment record for ESDC review.
Prepare Supporting Documents
Business registration, CRA documents, recruitment records, job advertisements, job description, wage information and employment contract are gathered and reviewed for accuracy.
Submit the Application
The application is filed with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), often through the LMIA Online Portal for faster submission and status tracking.
Government Assessment
Officers review business legitimacy, recruitment efforts, wage offered, labour shortages, compliance history, working conditions and job duties.
LMIA Decision
A positive LMIA confirms hiring the foreign worker won’t negatively impact Canada’s labour market. A negative LMIA means requirements weren’t met — usually due to incomplete documents, weak recruitment evidence, or wage issues.
Work Permit Application
With a positive LMIA in hand, the foreign worker applies for their Canadian work permit.
LMIA Processing Time to Expect
LMIA processing time depends on several factors — type of LMIA, application volume, province, occupation, and completeness of documents. Applications with missing information typically take longer, so employers should apply well in advance to avoid staffing shortages. High Wage LMIA processing time can also vary depending on complexity, employer compliance history and recruitment evidence.
Eligible employers can also submit and manage applications through the LMIA Online Portal — offering faster document submission, secure application management, online status tracking, and electronic updates.
| LMIA Stream | Typical Processing Trend |
|---|---|
| Global Talent Stream | Fastest processing |
| Agricultural Stream | Faster than most standard streams |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | Short processing period |
| High Wage LMIA | Moderate — averages around 64 business days |
| Low Wage LMIA | Similar to High Wage in many cases |
| Permanent Residence Stream | Usually the longest |
Fees and timelines are subject to change by ESDC. Speak with our consultants for the current fee schedule and your specific stream.
Common Mistakes We See Every Week
Guidance You Can Actually Rely On
Complete Eligibility Assessment
We review your business, occupation and wage details to confirm the right LMIA stream before you apply.
Documentation & Portal Support
Full help preparing business, recruitment and wage documents, plus guidance on the LMIA Online Portal.
Founded on Experience
Built by a Canadian permanent resident who has gone through the immigration process himself.
Work Permit Guidance
Ongoing support after a positive LMIA — through to the foreign worker’s Canadian work permit.
LMIA Application — Common Questions
An LMIA Application Canada is an application submitted by a Canadian employer to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to hire a foreign worker when no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the position. A positive LMIA allows the foreign worker to apply for a Canadian work permit.
LMIA processing time varies depending on the application stream, occupation, and current government processing volume. Processing may differ for High Wage LMIA and Low Wage LMIA applications. Submitting complete documentation can help avoid unnecessary delays.
High Wage LMIA requirements generally include offering wages at or above the provincial median wage, providing genuine recruitment efforts, submitting complete business documents, and preparing a transition plan where required.
Yes. Eligible employers can submit and manage their applications through the LMIA Online Portal. The portal allows employers to upload documents, track application progress, and receive updates securely.
Yes. CHD Immigration provides complete assistance with LMIA Application Canada, including eligibility assessment, document preparation, employer guidance, High Wage LMIA support, LMIA Online Portal assistance, and work permit application support.