What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by the Canadian government that assesses the impact a foreign worker may have on the Canadian labour market. To get an LMIA, the employer needs to apply with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and show that there is a need to hire the foreign worker as there is no Canadian or permanent resident available to fill that position and the hiring of the foreign national does not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.

Once the employer gets the LMIA, the employee should apply for a work permit.

To be eligible to apply for an LMIA, the Canadian business should be registered in Canada and usually be in good financial standing. Also, there should be no past compliance issues with federal or provincial laws regulating employment or the recruitment of employees and providing a good or service in Canada.

Before applying for an LMIA, the position the Canadian company is looking to fill should be advertised at least four weeks.