An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document issued by the Government of Canada that assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. It is required for most workers to come to Canada to work temporarily for their Canadian employer
The LMIA exists to protect the Canadian labour market. The LMIA is needed because the Canadian government wants to ensure that foreign workers are not taking jobs away from Canadian citizens or permanent residents, this process helps to determine if there is a shortage of qualified Canadian workers for a particular job and if hiring a foreign worker is necessary.
To obtain an LMIA, a Canadian employer must advertise a position for 4 weeks on different platforms including the Federal Job Bank, and then submit an LMIA application to Service Canada, along with the required fees. The LMIA application includes information about the job offer, the employer, and the foreign worker. If the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker can then apply for a work permit.
It’s important to ensure that the application follows the rules and regulations of each program stream established by Service Canada. The government differentiates between High Wage and Low Wage applications for its LMIA streams, and each category has its own rules when it comes to advertising, as well as whether the employer is required to provide repayment for travel expenses and provide affordable housing to the workers.
The LMIA process can be daunting at first review, but often it is a matter of respecting the program requirements established by the government. We find that applications for LMIAs are successful so long as the employer does their due diligence when preparing an application.
HR Departments and businesses in Canada can benefit from using a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to prepare their LMIA applications to avoid a refusal based on non-compliance with program rules established by Service Canada.
For more information on the LMIA process and how we can help you with an application, please reach out to us. If you have any questions about how to file for an LMIA , please get in touch and book an online consultation with us here.
Our Services
Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. is rated Canada's number one boutique immigration consultancy. We serve clients across Canada and internationally. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in Canada and abroad.
We can assist with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
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