Most employers land on this page after the same experience: the role's been posted, the interviews have happened, and the right Canadian or permanent resident candidate hasn't shown up. That's usually when a Labour Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA, enters the picture — the process behind most of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
It has a reputation for being slow, and some of that's earned. But it's still the only route into Canada for a lot of positions, and it's worth understanding what you're actually signing up for before you start.
What an LMIA Confirms
An LMIA is issued by Employment and Social Development Canada, not IRCC. Their job is to decide whether hiring a foreign worker for a specific role, wage, and location is likely to affect the Canadian labour market — which means showing you genuinely tried to recruit a Canadian or permanent resident first and couldn't fill the role. Once you have a positive decision, your candidate applies separately to IRCC for a work permit that's tied to your business, the job, and usually the location.
Choosing the Right Stream
| Stream | Wage Level | Typical Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-wage | At or above the provincial median | Weeks to a few months | Skilled and professional roles |
| Low-wage | Below the provincial median | Longer — expanded advertising rules as of 2026 | Entry-level and support roles |
| Global Talent Stream | Typically high-wage | About two weeks | Tech, AI, advanced manufacturing |
| Agricultural / Seasonal | Varies | Tied to a seasonal calendar | On-farm, seasonal roles |
Picking the wrong stream is one of the more common — and costly — mistakes employers make.
What the Process Actually Involves
Before you can apply, you need to show genuine recruitment effort, generally through the federal Job Bank, and that window has gotten longer for low-wage roles as of 2026. From there, the application itself involves a flat processing fee per position (currently $1,000 CAD, non-refundable, and not something you're allowed to pass on to the worker), a review by ESDC, and — once approved — a separate work permit application from your candidate.
Is LMIA Even the Right Route?
Before committing months to this process, it's worth asking whether your hire actually needs it. A number of situations — intra-company transfers, candidates from certain trade-agreement countries, French-speaking hires outside Quebec — skip the labour market test entirely. It's a question worth answering before you invest in recruitment advertising you didn't need.
How Sana Immigration Consulting Helps
We handle LMIA files the way we'd want our own handled — the right stream from the start, recruitment documentation that holds up under review, and a clear read on whether an LMIA-exempt route might actually be the better fit before you spend weeks on one that isn't needed. We stay with the file through to the work permit stage, not just the LMIA decision.
Based in Oakville, we support employers across Orangeville, Guelph, and the greater GTA, and businesses reaching out from further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an LMIA cost? A flat $1,000 CAD per position, paid by the employer and non-refundable even if the application is withdrawn or refused.
How long does it take? It depends heavily on the stream — Global Talent Stream applications are typically decided in about two weeks, while standard high-wage and low-wage applications often take considerably longer.
Do I need to advertise the job first? Yes, in almost every case, and the requirements for low-wage roles became more demanding in 2026.
Is LMIA the only way to hire a foreign worker? No — several LMIA-exempt categories exist for specific situations, and they're usually faster when a candidate actually qualifies.
Ready to Start the Process?
If you're not sure whether LMIA is the right route for your hire — or you just want the file handled properly the first time — we can help you figure that out before you commit weeks to it.
Get in touch with Sana Immigration Consulting today to talk through your hiring plans.
Phone: +1 (778) 345-7455
Email: info@sanaimmigration.ca
Address: 303 Woodale Ave, Oakville, ON L6K 2N5
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This page is provided for general information and reflects program rules as of mid-2026. LMIA requirements change frequently — this does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Speak with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant before making hiring or application decisions.