The Labour Market Impact Assessment is a key step in Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Here's what it means, how it works, and how to find employers who have been approved.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Canadian employers who want to hire a foreign worker often need a positive LMIA before that worker can apply for a work permit.
The assessment evaluates whether hiring a foreign worker would have a positive or neutral effect on Canada's labour market. ESDC considers factors like whether the employer made reasonable efforts to hire Canadians first, whether the wages and working conditions meet standards, and whether the position fills a genuine labour shortage.
A positive LMIA (sometimes called a "confirmation letter") means the employer has demonstrated the need. The foreign worker then uses this document as part of their work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For positions at or above the provincial/territorial median wage. Employers must submit a transition plan showing how they will reduce reliance on foreign workers over time.
For positions below the median wage. Employers face caps on the proportion of temporary foreign workers at their worksite.
For highly skilled workers in specific occupations or referred by a designated partner. Typically processed within two weeks.
For primary agriculture positions. Seasonal and non-seasonal options are available depending on the commodity sector.
Stream details are simplified for clarity. Visit ESDC's official page for complete eligibility criteria and current processing times.
We compile publicly available LMIA data published by ESDC and make it searchable. You can filter by city, province, or NOC code to find employers with recent positive assessments.
Filter employers by Canadian city or province to find opportunities near you.
Look up employers who have hired for your specific occupation classification.
View how many positions an employer has been approved for and how recently.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer may need before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA shows that there is a need for the foreign worker and that no Canadian worker is available for the job.
The employer applies. They submit the application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). You, as the worker, use the positive LMIA to support your work permit application.
No. A positive LMIA is one requirement for most employer-specific work permits, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision on work permit applications based on all eligibility criteria.
Processing times vary. ESDC publishes current processing times on their website. High-wage and low-wage streams have different timelines, and the Global Talent Stream is generally faster.
Yes. Our employer database compiles publicly available LMIA data from ESDC. You can browse by city, province, or NOC code to find employers with recent positive assessments.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada's system for categorizing jobs. Each occupation has a 5-digit code. LMIA applications reference NOC codes to identify the position being filled.
Search our database of LMIA-approved employers across Canada — free, no sign-up required.