LMIA Work Permits in Canada: How an LMIA Leads to Your Permit
A labour market impact assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that shows a Canadian employer needs to hire a foreign worker. Most employer-specific work permits need one. Your employer applies first, then you apply for the permit with their LMIA letter.
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What is an LMIA work permit?
An LMIA work permit is an employer-specific work permit issued after your employer receives a positive LMIA. The LMIA proves there is a need for a foreign worker, and the permit lets you work for that employer in that job. Without a positive LMIA, most of these permits cannot be issued.
Who applies for the LMIA?
Your employer applies, not you. They apply in LMIA Online and pay the fee. If the LMIA is positive, they give you the decision letter and Annex A, and you include them in your work permit application.
Key rules at a glance
- Fee: $1,000 per position, and the employer cannot recover it from you
- Wage line: the offered wage sets the high-wage or low-wage stream
- Positive or negative: only a positive LMIA supports a work permit
- Express Entry: an LMIA job offer no longer adds CRS points
Is the LMIA route right for you?
Check your situation against the lists below.
An LMIA permit fits if
- You have a job offer from a Canadian employer
- Your employer is willing to apply for an LMIA and pay the fee
- Your job is not LMIA-exempt
- Your employer is not on the non-compliant list
Look at another route if
- Your job is LMIA-exempt: read about LMIA-exempt permits
- You qualify for an open work permit and need no job offer
- Your employer will not pay the LMIA fee or cannot qualify
Read our work permits hub, the Global Talent Stream guide or the guide for employers.
Also read our agricultural workers guide and our caregivers guide.
LMIA streams
ESDC and IRCC run these streams. The one that applies depends on the job and wage.
High-wage and low-wage
Your offered wage against the provincial or territorial wage line decides the stream. The line is the median hourly wage plus 20%.
A faster stream for unique, specialized talent and in-demand jobs. The employer builds a Labour Market Benefits Plan.
Primary agriculture
For occupations and activities tied to primary agriculture. These jobs follow their own program rules.
In-home caregivers
For care of children, seniors or people with medical needs. A live-in requirement can block processing.
Support for permanent residence
For skilled temporary workers an employer wants to keep through an immigration program.
Not sure which stream fits your job?
We check your job, wage and employer against the stream rules before your employer applies.
When an LMIA will not be processed
Low-wage workforce caps
ESDC may refuse to process low-wage positions above 10% of the workforce at a work location. Some sectors face a 20% cap.
Low-wage applications in a metropolitan area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher may be refused. Some occupations are exempt.
ESDC cannot process applications from employers on the non-compliant list, or with an LMIA revoked in the past 2 years.
Documents you need
Your employer supplies the LMIA papers. You supply your own.
How an LMIA work permit works, step by step
Six stages from the job offer to your permit.
Check if an LMIA is needed
Your employer checks if the job needs an LMIA or is exempt.
Employer recruits
The employer advertises and meets the stream’s recruitment rules.
Employer applies
They submit in LMIA Online and pay $1,000 per position.
ESDC decides
A positive LMIA supports your permit. A negative one does not.
You apply for the permit
Send the LMIA letter and Annex A with your IRCC application.
Arrive and work
Work only for the named employer. Extend before the permit expires.
LMIA fees and figures at a glance
From ESDC and IRCC pages, checked 5 October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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LMIA work permit FAQs
What is an LMIA?
A labour market impact assessment is a document from ESDC that shows a Canadian employer needs to hire a foreign worker. Most employer-specific work permits need one. Your employer applies for it, and only a positive LMIA supports your permit.
Who applies for an LMIA, the worker or the employer?
The employer applies, through LMIA Online, and pays the fee. You then apply to IRCC for the work permit with the positive LMIA letter and Annex A. You cannot apply for an LMIA yourself.
How much does an LMIA cost?
The employer pays $1,000 for each position requested. The fee is not refunded if the LMIA is refused or withdrawn. The employer cannot recover it from you.
What are the LMIA streams?
The main streams are high-wage and low-wage positions, primary agriculture, support for permanent residence, the Global Talent Stream, in-home caregivers, foreign academics, Quebec positions and the Recognized Employer Pilot. The job and wage decide your stream.
What is the high-wage line?
It is the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. An offered wage at or above it goes to the high-wage stream, and one below it goes to the low-wage stream. Ontario’s line is $36.92 per hour for LMIAs received from 17 July 2026, and the figures are updated each year.
Is the Global Talent Stream faster?
Yes. ESDC aims to process a GTS LMIA in 10 business days, 80% of the time. IRCC aims to process eligible work permits in 2 weeks. Read our Global Talent Stream guide.
Why might ESDC refuse to process an LMIA?
ESDC will not process applications above the low-wage workforce caps, certain low-wage positions in high-unemployment areas, live-in caregiver positions, or employers on the non-compliant list. It also refuses employers with an LMIA revoked in the past 2 years.
Does an LMIA job offer add points to Express Entry?
No. A job offer no longer adds CRS points. Read our LMIA job offer points guide for the change.
How long can I work on an LMIA permit?
It depends on the LMIA and your permit. Employers in a high-wage Global Talent Stream application may request up to 3 years. Your permit lists the exact dates and conditions.
What if my job does not need an LMIA?
Some jobs are LMIA-exempt. The employer then submits an offer of employment and pays the $230 compliance fee, and you apply for an employer-specific permit. See our work permits hub. Read our LMIA-exempt work permits guide.
Can my employer charge me for the LMIA?
No. ESDC does not allow the processing fee or recruitment fees to be recovered from the worker. Report abuse to ESDC if an employer or recruiter asks you to pay.
What if the LMIA is refused?
Your employer can fix the problem and apply again, or you can look at another route such as an open work permit or an LMIA-exempt permit. We review the refusal and your options.