Hire a Foreign Worker in Canada: LMIA, LMIA-Exempt and Faster Options
You can hire a foreign worker in Canada through 2 routes: with a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or without one under an exemption. Which route you use depends on the job, the wage and the worker. This guide shows how to choose, what you pay and which rules you must follow.
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Do I need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker?
Most jobs need an LMIA, which proves there is a need to hire a foreign worker. Some jobs are LMIA-exempt, and you then use the International Mobility Program instead. IRCC has a tool to check which route fits your job before you apply.
What changes without an LMIA?
You skip the LMIA but still submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the $230 compliance fee. The worker then applies for an employer-specific work permit with your offer number and exemption code. See our LMIA-exempt work permits guide for every exemption.
Key rules at a glance
- Job Bank: post the job if your stream needs it
- Fees: you pay, and you cannot recover the LMIA fee from the worker
- Compliance: inspections can lead to penalties or a ban
- Ineligible: certain employers cannot use the program
Which hiring route fits you?
Pick the list that matches your job.
LMIA route fits if
- Your job is not on an LMIA exemption list
- You can show a real need and meet the stream rules
- You can pay $1,000 per position
LMIA-exempt route fits if
- The worker qualifies for an exemption, such as a trade agreement or Francophone mobility
- You are hiring a recent graduate or a young worker through IEC
- You can submit the offer and pay the $230 fee
Read our LMIA guide, the Global Talent Stream guide or the work permits hub.
Hiring for a farm or a private home? See our agricultural workers guide and caregivers guide.
Your duties as an employer
These duties come from ESDC and IRCC. Failing them has consequences.
Real job and fair pay
The job and wage must be genuine and match what Canadians and permanent residents get for the same work. Adjusting a wage to fit a stream can lead to a refusal.
You are the employer
The employer hires the worker, sets their conditions and pays them directly. ESDC checks who the real employer is.
No fees from workers
You cannot recover the LMIA processing fee or recruitment fees from the worker. Report abuse if you suspect it.
Compliance
You must meet your employer compliance obligations. Inspections can find non-compliance and lead to a listing on the non-compliant list.
Changes to the LMIA
If the job or wage changes, you must ask ESDC to modify a positive LMIA. Do not change terms without approval.
Not sure which route fits your hire?
We check the job, wage and worker against LMIA and exemption rules before you spend on fees.
Special ways to hire
Global Skills Strategy
IRCC aims to process eligible work permits in 2 weeks for Global Talent Stream and certain top talent hires. The worker applies from outside Canada.
You can hire students and recent graduates, and skilled youth aged 18 to 35 through International Experience Canada.
IRCC lists routes for French-speaking workers outside Quebec, home care workers, camp counsellors and maritime crew.
Documents to prepare
Gather these before you apply.
How to hire a foreign worker, step by step
Six stages from the first check to your worker’s arrival.
Check if you need an LMIA
Use the IRCC tool or ask us to check your job.
Choose your route
LMIA stream or LMIA-exempt offer of employment.
Apply and pay
Apply in LMIA Online and pay $1,000, or submit the offer and pay $230.
Give the worker the papers
Send the LMIA letter and Annex A, or the offer number and exemption code.
Worker applies
The worker applies to IRCC for the work permit.
Comply and extend
Meet your duties, and plan extensions before the permit ends.
Employer costs and figures at a glance
From ESDC and IRCC pages, checked 5 October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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Hiring a foreign worker FAQs
How do I hire a foreign worker in Canada?
First check if the job needs an LMIA. If it does, you apply in LMIA Online and pay $1,000 per position, then give the worker the positive LMIA letter. If it does not, you submit an offer of employment and pay the $230 compliance fee, then the worker applies for the permit.
Do I need an LMIA?
Most jobs do. Some jobs are LMIA-exempt, such as certain trade agreement, Francophone mobility and graduate cases. IRCC has a tool that checks which route fits your job. Read our free trade agreements guide and our Francophone Mobility guide.
What does an LMIA cost an employer?
The fee is $1,000 for each position requested. It is not refunded if the LMIA is refused, cancelled or withdrawn. You cannot recover it from the worker.
What is the $230 employer compliance fee?
It is the fee employers generally pay when they hire an employer-specific LMIA-exempt worker. You pay it, and submit an offer of employment, in the IRCC Employer Portal before the worker applies. The worker needs your offer number and proof of payment.
What are the high-wage and low-wage streams?
The offered wage sets your stream. At or above the provincial or territorial wage line, which is the median hourly wage plus 20%, you use the high-wage stream. Below it, you use the low-wage stream. Wages must still match what Canadians get for the same job.
Why might ESDC refuse to process my LMIA?
ESDC will not process applications from ineligible employers, such as those on the non-compliant list, and may refuse low-wage positions above the 10% workforce cap or in high-unemployment areas. It also refuses employers with an LMIA revoked in the past 2 years.
Can I hire faster?
Yes. Under the Global Skills Strategy, IRCC aims to process eligible work permits in 2 weeks, if the worker applies from outside Canada. For an LMIA hire you need a positive Global Talent Stream LMIA. Read our Global Talent Stream guide.
Can I charge the worker for hiring costs?
No. ESDC does not allow the LMIA processing fee or recruitment fees to be recovered from the worker. Anyone can report suspected abuse to ESDC.
What are my duties after the worker arrives?
You must meet your employer compliance obligations, keep the job and wage as approved and tell ESDC about changes through a modification request. Inspections can find non-compliance. Penalties can include a ban from the program.
Can I hire an international graduate or a young worker?
Yes. IRCC lists routes to hire students and recent graduates, and skilled youth aged 18 to 35 through International Experience Canada. The permit types differ, so check which fits first.
Can I help a worker move to permanent residence?
You can support a skilled worker through an LMIA for permanent residence, or the worker may qualify for Express Entry. Read our Canadian Experience Class guide.
How can we help?
We review your job, wage and the worker against the rules, and map the fastest compliant route. Start with our work permits hub, then book a consultation.