Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Edmonton
We have all the answers to your LMIA questions. Find out what you need, when it’s required and how much that will cost!
What is LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that many Canadian employers must obtain before hiring a temporary foreign worker. Its purpose is to confirm that there is a genuine need to fill the position with a foreign worker because no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available. In some situations, workers may be exempt from the LMIA requirement.
The LMIA application is completed by the employer, who is also responsible for all associated government fees. Once a positive LMIA is issued, the foreign worker can use it to apply for a Canadian work permit. If you are interested in an LMIA-based position, the first step is to speak with your employer to determine whether they are willing to support the LMIA process.
LMIA: New Rules
As of September 2024, the Canadian government has restructured the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) streams to streamline the process for hiring temporary foreign workers.
Recent policy changes have led to the consolidation and modification of these streams. Notably, the High-wage and Low-wage streams have undergone significant adjustments:
- High-Wage Stream: Effective November 8, 2024, the wage threshold for this stream increased by 20% above the provincial or territorial median wage. This change aims to prioritize the hiring of domestic workers and reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers.
- Low-Wage Stream: Starting September 26, 2024, several measures were implemented:
- LMIA applications for low-wage positions in areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher are no longer processed, with certain sectoral exceptions.
- The cap on the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers per employer has been reduced to 10% in many sectors.
- The maximum employment duration for low-wage positions has been decreased from two years to one year.
LMIA Edmonton: Employer Requirements
To be able to apply for an LMIA in Edmonton, employers must prove they are actively conducting business.
In addition, an employer must also meet the following requirements:
- Employer must be actively engaged in business: must have a legal status and must have active operations, providing goods and services
- Must have a physical location in Edmonton, where the employee will work and must be able to provide stable employment for the period requested.
- The company must not be sex-industry related, in the non-compliance list or in default of a non-compliance financial penalty
- Must prove that s/he has made reasonable efforts to hire Canadian citizens/Permanent residents by showing advertising and interview records. Must also substantiate why other candidates cannot be hired after the interviews.
- Cooperate with an on-site inspection if required.
- Must pay the employee not less than the prevailing wage on the Offer of Employment
- Any deductions must be agreed on in the Offer of Employment
- If the employee is unsure if they are violating the terms of employment, they can voluntarily disclose information to ESDC.
When is LMIA needed?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is required if you are hiring a temporary foreign worker under one of the following programs:
- High-wage workers
- Low-wage workers
- Workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
- Workers through the Agricultural Stream
When an LMIA is NOT Required?
- Hiring through the International Mobility Program (IMP).
- If the job falls under an LMIA exemption code.
- If hiring Francophone or bilingual workers outside Quebec under Francophone Mobility.
Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist
How Do I Know Which Stream I Apply Under?
First check what is the median wage for your position in specific location. Then check if the wage is above or under provincial and territorial wage threshold to determine if the wage qualify for high or low-wage stream.
If you are offering a salary at or above the median wage in your province/territory, select the high-wage stream
Conversely, if the hourly wage is below the median, employers should select the low-wage stream.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker is a simplified program that has been designed for citizens of participating countries (see the list below) who wish to work in the agricultural sector.
Agricultural stream is a program open for on-farm work in specific commodity sectors (poultry, livestock, grains, flowers etc as defined by the Canadian Government).
What Should I Do if I Need to Change the Stream?
You will need to cancel your current application and reapply under a different stream.
Can Employers Hire an External LMIA Consultant?
Yes! The Canadian Government accepts applications from employers and their designated representatives. This means that you can process paperwork internally or have it done for you by a certified professional. The latter option is more expedient because you only contract an outside immigration consultant when you need the service vs. having to keep an in-house specialist dealing with LMIA applications.
LIVIN Immigration, led by Justyna Ibek, is officially authorized by the Canadian government to represent employers and submit LMIA applications on their behalf. We encourage you to work with professionals and eliminate the risk of rejection from the government.
Justyna has a proven track record of positive LMIA decisions from the Ministry of Development and Social Development (ESDC) of Canada.
Here are some reviews from happy clients!
What Can an LMIA Consultant Do?
A consultant or lawyer can:
- Determine if an LMIA is required for the position.
- Prepare and submit the LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
- Help with compliance requirements (e.g., fair wages, job posting rules).
- Guide the foreign worker in applying for a work permit after the LMIA is approved.
Application should be filed up to 6 months prior to the expected date of hire.
How to Receive an LMIA
To obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the employer must submit an application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) along with supporting documents. These documents must demonstrate the need to hire a temporary foreign worker, confirm the legitimacy of the business, and include proof that the required government fee has been paid.
Employers are also required to show that they made reasonable efforts to recruit qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents before offering the position to a foreign worker. This typically includes evidence of job advertisements, interview records, and explanations of why local candidates were not suitable for the role.
If ESDC determines that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market, it issues a positive LMIA. The foreign worker can then use the approved LMIA to apply for a Canadian work permit.
Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist
LMIA Application Process
The LMIA process starts with checking whether you are exempt from the LMIA requirement. Some occupations are exempt, allowing employers to hire temporary foreign workers without obtaining an LMIA. We recommend reviewing the LMIA exemption codes first or booking a consultation if you are unsure which category applies.
Once it has been determined that an LMIA is required, the application process can begin. The process involves two separate steps: the employer submits an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and once a positive LMIA is issued, the foreign worker applies for a Canadian work permit.
Employers can submit their application through the LMIA Online Application Portal or by email to the appropriate ESDC office, depending on the application type.
The LMIA application is processed remotely and no in-person meetings are required, but if the officer has doubts about the job offer, an on-site inspection can be done. Additionally, LMIA/Work Permit applications can be refused or the employer can be contacted to provide clarification before making the final decision.
LMIA Application Processing Time
Completing an LMIA application through the LMIA Online Portal takes only a few minutes, but preparing the application and gathering all required supporting documents can take significantly longer. Because the LMIA process is highly technical, careful preparation is essential to avoid delays or refusals.
Processing times vary depending on the LMIA stream. As of January 2025, the average processing times are:
- Global Talent Stream: 7 business days
- Agricultural Stream: 22 business days
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 14 business days
- High-Wage Stream: 68 business days
- Low-Wage Stream: 76 business days
- Permanent Resident Stream: 156 business days
You can find the latest official processing times on the Government of Canada website.
In general, applications for high-demand, highly skilled, and higher-paying occupations are processed more quickly. Applications for lower-paid or long-term positions typically require longer processing times.
Need help with LMIA-related paperwork?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist
LMIA Processing Fee
The processing fee for every temporary foreign worker is $1000. The only exception is when families are applying for a caregiver to provide care to someone with medical needs or when the family income is less than $150,000.
LMIA Restrictions in Alberta Lifted on May 1, 2022
On May 1, 2022 the Government of Alberta announced that restrictions on certain occupations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program would be lifted.
Restrictions were introduced on November 2, 2020 as a COVID-19 response and covered 475 occupations that were added to ‘The Refusal to Process list’.
This measure was introduced to prioritize jobs for Albertans. This limitation has now been cancelled and businesses in Alberta are free to recruit Temporary Foreign Workers as usual.
LMIA Employer List in Alberta
The Government of Canada publishes a list of employers who have received a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). You can filter the database by province, occupation, and employer name to identify businesses that have previously hired temporary foreign workers.
Please note that an LMIA is issued for a specific employer, position, and worker. Being listed does not mean an employer is currently hiring or willing to provide LMIA support. However, employers with previous positive LMIAs may be more familiar with the process and could be open to sponsoring qualified candidates in the future.
LMIA Jobs in Edmonton & Alberta
Many employers specify in the job advertisements that they have LMIA available if required. Jobs that offer LMIA in Edmonton and Alberta can be found online via job sites.
The most popular trades are cooks, food industry supervisors, construction workers, retail and sales supervisors, and truck drivers. The list, however, isn’t exhaustive – the list of LMIA job openings is actually extensive, so feel free to apply for the job of your dream! Once a hiring decision is made by the employer and there is a labour shortage in the Canadian workforce, they may apply for an LMIA, and if a positive decision is made it will allow you to apply for a work permit.Work with Best LMIA Consultants in Edmonton
We proudly provide immigration consulting services across Canada, assisting clients in major cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Surrey, Kelowna, and Mississauga. Our team is dedicated to guiding individuals and families through the complexities of immigration, from visa applications to permanent residency and citizenship. No matter where you are, we are committed to offering professional support tailored to your unique immigration needs.
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