A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a report produced by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). What is the purpose of this you might ask? Well it evaluates the impact of hiring a foreign national in Canada and certifies that:
- A temporary foreign worker is required.
- There are no Canadians or permanent residents who can do the job.
Before starting work in Canada, you must apply for a Canadian work permit, which will be sponsored by the Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA). There are three kinds of Canadian work permits.
When Is A Labour Market Impact Assessment Needed?
Closed work permits are the most frequently-issued kind of work permit. To get this, you need a positive LMIA. In this case, a foreign worker can be granted a closed work permit to work in the specified position and for the specific employer indicated on the LMIA.
An open work permit, on the other hand, allows foreign workers to work in any position, for any company, and in any location throughout Canada. An LMIA is not required for open work permits because they are not confined to a specific occupation or employer. To apply for an open work permit, you do not need to have a job offer.
Closed LMIA-exempt work permits are kind of in the middle. They allow foreign workers to work for a specific employer in a specific position, but do not require an LMIA.
How Much Does a Labour Market Impact Assessment Cost?
To file an LMIA application under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, employers must pay a $1,000 fee.
How Long Does It Take?
An employer can submit an application for an LMIA as early as six months before the position’s expected start date. The method for applying for an LMIA varies depending on the wage of the individual being hired. Employers must advertise the position for at least four weeks and potentially interview candidates who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents first in order to receive an LMIA.
What Happens After LMIA is Approved?
Employers will receive a decision when their LMIA application has been processed. If the LMIA is positive, the company will proceed with recruiting a foreign national. If a negative LMIA is issued, the company will be denied permission to hire a foreign national.
Our licensed Canadian immigration consultants will assess your work permit eligibility, and work with the employer in the LMIA preparation and application, so YOU don’t have to.
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