Things you should know about LMIA in Canada
What is an LMIA?
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that allows Canadian employer hire foreign workers when they are unable to fill vacancies locally. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assesses the impact of hiring a foreign national and issues a positive or negative LMIA.
Positive LMIA means hiring a foreign national by a Canadian employer will impact Canadian job market positively or neutrally. On the other hand, negative LMIA will not allow employer to hire a foreign worker. It is not the foreign national who applies for an LMIA, however it is the employer who apply for an LMIA when they are unable to fill vacancies at their business.
How to apply for LMIA ?
Employer can apply for an LMIA when they cannot find a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to fill the vacancy which they have. Employer will need to satisfy EDSC that they have made enough efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent residence and couldn’t find a suitable fit. Here are certain requirements for employers:
- Employers will need to pay $1000 application fee for each position they apply for an LMIA. This fee is non-refundable, employer will have to pay this fee even the LMIA is negative.
- Employer will need to satisfy that they have made enough efforts to fill the position locally. They need to advertisement for the position in Canada on two- three job boards for at least a month.
- They also need to determine if they are offering high-wage or low-wage position. If they are offering a low-wage position, there is a cap on how many foreign workers an employer can hire.
- Employer will be required to provide their business documents to prove that they are able to hire a foreign worker and pay them.
What are the processing times for LMIA’s ?
The processing time for LMIAs vary according to the positions and program under which LMIAs have been applied. Some LMIAs such as under Global Talent Stream are processed within 10 days and some other are processed within one to two months.
What happens if the LMIA gets approved?
The employer would give a copy of this LMIA to the foreign worker he wants to hire and then candidate applies for work permit including approved LMIA in their application.
In an event if the LMIA application get rejected and is negative, employer can re-apply for the LMIA or submit their LMIA for reconsideration.
There are few positions which are exempt from LMIAs. Most of exempt positions come under International Mobility Program. If you need to know more about LMIAs, reach out to us Pacific Link Immigration Services, and we would be happy to answer your queries.
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Things you should know about LMIA in Canada
What is an LMIA?
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that allows Canadian employer hire foreign workers when they are unable to fill vacancies locally. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assesses the impact of hiring a foreign national and issues a positive or negative LMIA.
Positive LMIA means hiring a foreign national by a Canadian employer will impact Canadian job market positively or neutrally. On the other hand, negative LMIA will not allow employer to hire a foreign worker. It is not the foreign national who applies for an LMIA, however it is the employer who apply for an LMIA when they are unable to fill vacancies at their business.
How to apply for LMIA ?
Employer can apply for an LMIA when they cannot find a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to fill the vacancy which they have. Employer will need to satisfy EDSC that they have made enough efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent residence and couldn’t find a suitable fit. Here are certain requirements for employers:
- Employers will need to pay $1000 application fee for each position they apply for an LMIA. This fee is non-refundable, employer will have to pay this fee even the LMIA is negative.
- Employer will need to satisfy that they have made enough efforts to fill the position locally. They need to advertisement for the position in Canada on two- three job boards for at least a month.
- They also need to determine if they are offering high-wage or low-wage position. If they are offering a low-wage position, there is a cap on how many foreign workers an employer can hire.
- Employer will be required to provide their business documents to prove that they are able to hire a foreign worker and pay them.
What are the processing times for LMIA’s ?
The processing time for LMIAs vary according to the positions and program under which LMIAs have been applied. Some LMIAs such as under Global Talent Stream are processed within 10 days and some other are processed within one to two months.
What happens if the LMIA gets approved?
The employer would give a copy of this LMIA to the foreign worker he wants to hire and then candidate applies for work permit including approved LMIA in their application.
In an event if the LMIA application get rejected and is negative, employer can re-apply for the LMIA or submit their LMIA for reconsideration.
There are few positions which are exempt from LMIAs. Most of exempt positions come under International Mobility Program. If you need to know more about LMIAs, reach out to us Pacific Link Immigration Services, and we would be happy to answer your queries.
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