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LMIA Work Permit

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is the foundation of employer-sponsored work permits in Canada. The Global Talent Stream processes applications in just 2 weeks, while the new H-1B fast-track pathway offers US-based tech workers a direct route to Canadian PR.

LMIA Process Overview

Employer Recruitment

Employer must advertise the position for a minimum of 4 weeks and demonstrate genuine efforts to hire Canadians or permanent residents first.

LMIA Application

Employer submits LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) with $1,000 processing fee per worker.

LMIA Assessment

ESDC evaluates whether hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market.

Work Permit Application

With a positive LMIA, the foreign worker applies for a work permit through IRCC. The work permit is employer-specific.

Fees & Costs

Item	Amount
LMIA Application Fee	CAD $1,000 per worker
Employer Compliance Fee	CAD $100 per worker (if applicable)
Work Permit Application	CAD $155
Biometrics	CAD $85
Open Work Permit (spouse)	CAD $255

LMIA Streams & Processing Times (2026)

Global Talent Stream (GTS)

~11 business days

For highly skilled tech workers. No transition plan required. Employer must commit to a Labour Market Benefits Plan. Service standard: 10 business days.

High-Wage Stream

8-12 weeks

For positions at or above the provincial/territorial median wage. Requires a transition plan showing how the employer will reduce reliance on foreign workers.

Low-Wage Stream

8-12 weeks

For positions below the provincial/territorial median wage. Cap on proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers.

Agricultural Stream

Variable

For agricultural workers including seasonal agricultural workers and general farm workers.

Permanent Residence Stream

~277 business days

LMIA supporting permanent residence applications. Longer processing but leads directly to PR.

Global Talent Stream Deep Dive

Category A

Referred by a designated partner organization. For unique, specialized talent that is not readily available in Canada.

Category B

Hiring for occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List. Includes software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, cybersecurity analysts, and more.

Key Features

✓Processing in approximately 2 weeks (10 business day service standard)
✓No transition plan required (unlike high-wage stream)
✓Employer commits to Labour Market Benefits Plan (job creation, skills training)
✓Dedicated service channel for employers
✓Work permit tied to specific employer but can be renewed

H-1B to Canada Fast-Track PR Pathway

Launch Date	2 January 2026
Annual Cap	25,000 slots
Processing Time	6-10 weeks
Cost	~CAD $600-$800 (~USD $440-$590)
Canadian Work Experience	Not mandatory
Target Skills	Tech, engineering, high-value skills
PR Eligibility	After 12-24 months via Express Entry or GTS

Canada launched this pathway to attract tech talent from the US. The program focuses on high-value skills in technology and engineering. Canadian work experience is not mandatory for selection, which prioritizes skills alignment. An accelerated PR initiative (2025) provides a one-time measure to convert up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residents across 2026-2027.

High-Wage vs Low-Wage LMIA

Feature	High-Wage	Low-Wage
Wage Threshold	At or above provincial median wage	Below provincial median wage
Transition Plan	Required (reduce foreign worker reliance)	Not required
Worker Cap	No cap on number	Cap on proportion of TFWs (10-20%)
Work Permit Duration	Up to 3 years	Up to 1 year (max 2 years)
Housing	Not employer-provided	Employer must ensure access to suitable housing
Transportation	Not employer-provided	Employer pays round-trip transportation
Health Insurance	Not employer-provided	Employer provides coverage until provincial plan kicks in

Key LMIA Requirements

✓Employer must demonstrate efforts to hire Canadians first (minimum 4 weeks of advertising)
✓Prevailing wage must be offered to the foreign worker
✓Job must be genuine and the employer must have the ability to fulfill the job offer
✓Employer must be in good standing with no previous compliance issues
✓High-wage LMIA requires a transition plan showing reduced reliance on foreign workers
✓Global Talent Stream requires a Labour Market Benefits Plan instead of a transition plan

FAQ

How much does an LMIA cost?

The LMIA application fee is $1,000 CAD per worker, paid by the employer. There may also be a $100 employer compliance fee. Additionally, the worker pays $155 for the work permit application and $85 for biometrics.

How fast is the Global Talent Stream?

The Global Talent Stream has a service standard of 10 business days, with actual processing averaging about 11 business days in 2026. This makes it significantly faster than the 8-12 week standard LMIA streams.

What is the H-1B to Canada pathway?

Launched January 2, 2026, this pathway offers up to 25,000 slots annually for H-1B visa holders in the US to fast-track to Canadian work permits and eventual PR. Processing takes 6-10 weeks and costs approximately $600-$800 CAD.

Can I change employers on an LMIA work permit?

LMIA work permits are employer-specific. To change employers, your new employer must obtain a new positive LMIA and you must apply for a new work permit. However, you can apply while continuing to work for your current employer.

Does LMIA lead to permanent residence?

Yes. A positive LMIA can support a permanent residence application. LMIA-backed work experience in Canada also contributes to CRS points for Express Entry. The PR-stream LMIA takes about 277 business days to process.

What is the difference between LMIA-exempt and LMIA-required work permits?

LMIA-exempt work permits (e.g., NAFTA/CUSMA, intra-company transfers, international agreements) do not require the employer to go through the LMIA process. LMIA-required permits need the employer to prove no Canadian worker is available for the position.

Last updated: 2026-03-15