Travel & Destination

Is LMIA a Requirement?

Before hiring a temporary foreign worker, most employers are required to have LMIA. An LMIA confirms that there are no Canadians or Permanent residents available to do this particular job and a requirement arises for temporary foreign workers.

By reviewing LMIA exemption codes and work permit exemptions and by adding the exempted LMIA to the offer of employment or by contacting International Mobility Workers Unit to hire a temporary foreign worker currently outside Canada and from a visa-exempt country can have options to hire temporary foreign workers with an exemption of LMIA.

How to get an LMIA?

You will receive an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The process depends on type of program the hiring happens which are:

•  High-wage workers
• Low-wage workers
• Workers through the seasonal agricultural worker program
• Workers through the agricultural stream

This stream came into existence to fill labor and skill shortages by hiring temporary foreign workers which are under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Having got LMIA each employee will be provided with a confirmation letter to each of the temporary workers and later they will be authorized to apply for a work permit. The LMIA issued is to be from ESDC, Service Canada.