The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a report published by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that evaluates the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. It’s a must-have for Canadian businesses hiring foreign workers through immigration programs, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The LMIA ensures that hiring a foreign worker does not risky Canadian job possibilities and that no competent Canadians or permanent residents can fill the position. During the LMIA procedure, the business must demonstrate its attempts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents and provide explanations for hiring a foreign worker.

To be considered for an LMIA, the employer must submit a complete application to ESDC, including information about the position, the company’s recruitment activities, and a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP). The LMBP details the employer’s obligations to the Canadian labour market, such as training Canadian employees or investing in skill development. Before hiring a foreign worker, a Canadian company may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment for India. The LMIA aims to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign worker for a particular position and to show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available. A positive LMIA, also known as a confirmation letter, indicates that the necessity for a foreign worker has been approved.

Labour Market Impact Assessment

labour market impact assessment for india

If an LMIA is required, the employer must initiate the application process. Once the company obtains the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit. The worker must have the necessary documents to apply for a work visa.

  • A letter of employment
  • A written agreement
  • A duplicate of the LMIA
  • The LMIA code

    Find out if you need an LMIA

    Before commencing the hiring process, assessing whether an LMIA is necessary is essential, as most companies typically mandate an LMIA before employing a temporary foreign worker. According to an LMIA,

    • A temporary foreign worker is required.
    • There are no Canadians or permanent residents available to complete the work.

    To assess whether you and the temporary foreign worker you intend to hire are exempt from the requirement of an LMIA or work permit, you can choose one of the following options:

    • Review the LMIA exemption codes and explore the exemptions for work permits to determine if you and the temporary foreign worker you wish to hire are exempt from these requirements.
    • Select the LMIA exemption or work permit code that seems most relevant to your hiring situation, and carefully examine the detailed description provided for that code.
    • If an exemption code applies to you, you must include it in your job offer.

      Or

      • If you are recruiting a temporary foreign worker who is also a United States citizen, don’t hesitate to contact the International Mobility Workers Unit.
        • Presently living outside of Canada.
        • From a country whose citizens are not required to obtain a visa

        How to get an LMIA?

        Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will issue you an LMIA. The LMIA application process varies depending on the program you’re applying for. Learn how to apply for an LMIA position:

        • High-paying jobs
        • Low-wage employees
        • Seasonal agricultural labourers through the Agricultural Workers Program
        • Employees through the Agricultural Stream

          How do you go about hiring an LMIA?

          You can employ temporary foreign workers via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to address labor and skill shortages. After obtaining an LMIA from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) through Service Canada, provide each temporary foreign worker with a copy of the confirmation letter, and we are here to guide you for your visas process, so make an appointment to get consultant with us for visa. An LMIA issued by ESDC is mandatory in this process.

          How do you hire if you don’t require an LMIA?

          If you do not have an LMIA, you can hire temporary foreign workers through the International Mobility Program Canada. You should review the LMIA exemption code that matches your job posting and fulfill the requirement of paying the employer compliance fee and submitting an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal. It is necessary to complete these steps before the intended temporary foreign worker applies for a work permit.

          Outside of Quebec, Francophone Mobility for Temporary Foreign Workers

          The International Mobility Program (IMP) offers an exemption from the Labour Market Impact Assessment Canada requirement for hiring temporary foreign employees who are Francophone or bilingual, excluding those in Quebec. This exemption benefits employers in several ways, including the ability to provide services in both French and English and the promotion of minority language communities throughout Canada. To explore further, discover the advantages of hiring Francophone or multilingual workers outside Quebec.

          Recruitment in the province of Quebec

          If you are an employer in Quebec and are hiring temporary foreign workers through the TFWP, the temporary foreign worker will need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation, et de l’Intégration (MIFI) before a work visa can be provided. A CAQ from the MIFI is not required if you are a Quebec business hiring a temporary foreign worker through the IMP to know more about regarding LMIA, you can contact us for information or any query.