Canadian employer wishing to hire a foreign worker must receive government approval.
Type of LMIA:
High Wage Position
Low Wage Position
LMIA Process
LMIA process is different depending on whether the employee is classified under “high-wage” or “low-
wage”. Process starts by submitting two applications, one to Employment and Social Development
Canada (ESDC) for assessment, after Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) approves a
positive LMIA second application for Work Permit is submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC) to process work permit.
Applicant Requirement for Canadian Employers
Application processing fees for LMIA is $1000.
Job must be advertised on Canadian Job Bank for minimum 4 weeks before submitting LMIA
application.
Employers must prove that they have used at least two other recruitment methods in addition
to having posted advertisement on the Canadian Job Bank.
Employers must also focus advertising efforts on groups of Canadians who are persons with
disabilities and First Nations.
Official English and French languages have to be mentioned in job advertisements unless any
another language is required.
For high-pay positions, employers have to show transition plan to ESDC. This transition plan
shows that foreign worker hired will benefit Canada’s workforce.
Employers cannot fire Canadian workers or reduce their work hours to hire a foreign worker.
Employer needs to give information about job description, number of Canadians applied,
Canadians interviewed with other aspects (in detail) as to why a foreign worker is needed over
Canadian citizen.
Our team at New Track Immigration is committed to help our clients with correct guidance starting from day one till end.