About

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that many Canadian employers need before they can hire a foreign worker. It is issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

An LMIA is basically a confirmation that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do it.

A positive LMIA is sometimes called a “confirmation letter.” Once an employer gets it, the foreign worker can use it to apply for a work permit.

Who can apply

• Employers in Canada apply for an LMIA, not the worker.
  
  
• The employer must:
  
  
• Show they tried to hire Canadians first (by advertising the job).
  
  
• Offer a genuine job with fair wages and working conditions.
  
  
• Provide proof of business legitimacy and ability to pay the worker.
  
  
• The foreign worker must then use the LMIA approval to apply for a Canadian work permit.
  
  

Some jobs do not require an LMIA (like certain international agreements under free trade), but many regular positions do.

Benefits

• A gateway to work in Canada: For many foreign workers, LMIA approval is the first step to getting a work permit.
  
  
• Can lead to permanent residency: Having LMIA-based work experience in Canada can strengthen immigration applications, such as Express Entry.
  
  
• Employers get access to global talent when Canadian workers are not available.

Real-Life Examples

• Raj, an IT specialist from India, gets a job offer from a tech company in Toronto. The company applies for an LMIA, proving no qualified Canadian applied. After approval, Raj uses the LMIA to get a work permit and move to Canada.
  
  
• Maria, a farm worker from Mexico, is recruited through Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. The employer secures an LMIA, and Maria comes to work legally on the farm each season.

Frequently Asked Questions