Last Updated:September 15, 2026
Supervised by Yuki Shiraishi (Immigration Consultant)
New registrations for LMIA-REP closed on September 16, 2024.
What Is LMIA-REP?
LMIA-REP is a 3-year pilot program, and employers who use REP receive benefits such as a simplified LMIA process and a longer validity period for approved LMIAs.
Purpose of LMIA-REP
- Faster and more reliable access to workers for employers.
- Improved worker protection.
- Greater flexibility for the Canadian workforce.
Employers Eligible for LMIA-REP
- Employers that frequently sponsor work permits for foreign nationals in occupations listed as in high demand in Canada.
- Employers that adhere to top-level standards for living and working conditions, including worker protection measures.
Once an employer registers for LMIA-REP and is recognized by Employment and Social Development Canada, the registration is valid for up to 36 months, and the process for LMIA online applications is simplified.
Eligible Occupations for LMIA-REP
The eligible occupations launched in September 2023 are as follows.
Agricultural Workers
85100
Livestock labourers
85101
Harvesting labourers
84120
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85103
Nursery and greenhouse labourers
The eligible occupations expanded in January 2024 are as follows.
Engineering and Architecture
20010
Engineering managers
20011
Architecture and science managers
21200
Architects
21201
Landscape architects
21202
Urban and land use planners
21203
Land surveyors
21202
Urban and land use planners
21203
Land surveyors
Health Care Occupations
31300
Nursing coordinators and supervisors
31301
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
31100
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
31101
Specialists in surgery
31102
General practitioners and family physicians
31103
Veterinarians
31111
Optometrists
31201
Chiropractors
31209
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
31121
Dieticians and nutritionists
31112
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
31202
Physiotherapists
32109
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
31203
Occupational therapists
31204
Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
32120
Medical laboratory technologists
33101
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
31303
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
32104
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
32103
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
32121
Medical radiation technologists
32122
Medical sonographers
32110
Denturists
32111
Dental hygienists and dental therapists
32112
Dental technologists and technicians
33100
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
32101
Licensed practical nurses
32102
Paramedical occupations
33102
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33103
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
33109
Other assisting occupations in support of health services
31200
Psychologists
41301
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
Service and Support Workers
41310
Police investigators and other investigative occupations
44101
Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
65310
Light-duty cleaners
63100
Insurance agents and brokers
Hospitality and Food Services
62020
Food service supervisors
62200
Chefs
63200
Cooks
63201
Butchers – Retail and wholesale
65202
Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale
64100
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
65200
Food and beverage servers
65201
Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
Construction and Manufacturing
72106
Welders and related machine operators
72310
Carpenters
72311
Cabinetmakers
72400
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72402
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
72405
Machine fitters
72406
Elevator constructors and mechanics
72420
Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
72421
Appliance servicers and repairers
72422
Electrical mechanics
72423
Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
72429
Other small engine and small equipment repairers
73200
Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73300
Transport truck drivers
Agriculture and Forestry Workers
85100
Livestock labourers
85101
Harvesting labourers
84120
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85103
Nursery and greenhouse labourers
85102
Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
85120
Logging and forestry labourers
94141
Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
94142
Fish and seafood plant workers
94210
Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors
94211
Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
Other Labourers – Processing and Manufacturing
95100
Labourers in mineral and metal processing
95101
Labourers in metal fabrication
95102
Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
95103
Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
95104
Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
95106
Labourers in food and beverage processing
95107
Labourers in fish and seafood processing
Employer Eligibility for Registration
You are eligible to register for LMIA-REP if you:
- Have received a positive LMIA at least 3 times in the past 5 years for occupations eligible under LMIA-REP.
- Have a track record of consistently meeting the highest standards for working conditions, living conditions and worker protection under the work permit program.
- Pledge to comply with standard work permit program requirements.
Even if you meet the above eligibility requirements, you may be deemed ineligible for LMIA-REP in the following cases.
- You have had an LMIA application refused.
- You have been found non-compliant with the work permit program.
- Charges have been laid against the employer for endangering the health and safety of foreign workers.
- You have failed to fulfill obligations related to an inspection.
- There have been changes in the labour market that affect the position.
No additional information is required when applying to register for LMIA-REP. You can apply for LMIA-REP at the same time you submit your LMIA application. The decision is based on your past history with the work permit program.
Employer Obligations
Costs of an LMIA Application
When applying for a work permit, various costs and fees may arise, such as the following.
- The cost of hiring an immigration consultant or lawyer.
- The cost of job advertisements.
- Fees for recruitment agencies, recruiters and the like.
Employers and recruitment agencies are obligated not to charge or recover fees from foreign workers, either directly or indirectly. Failure to follow this rule may result in the refusal of the LMIA application.
Legitimacy of the Business
All employers must submit documents and certificates proving that their business and job offer are legitimate.
Recruitment and Job Advertising
Before applying for LMIA-REP, employers must meet the job advertising and recruitment criteria set for each LMIA stream they are applying under, and must also fulfill the obligations below.
- The obligation to give hiring priority to Canadians and permanent residents.
- The obligation to continue recruitment activities until a candidate is officially hired.
- The obligation to submit details of all recruitment activities conducted so far as part of the LMIA application process.
Transition Plan
Creating a transition plan is a required step when applying for an LMIA under the High-Wage stream. The plan must cover the period of employment under the work permit program and must express a commitment to activities aimed at recruiting, retaining and training Canadians and permanent residents in order to reduce future reliance on the work permit program.
Cap on Work Permit Holders
Since April 30, 2022, all employers applying for an LMIA under the Low-Wage stream have been limited to employing work permit holders for up to 20% of their total workforce at each work location. This limit is imposed to ensure that Canadians and permanent residents have priority access to employment opportunities.
However, certain occupations in specific industries have a cap of up to 30%. Some occupations are exempt from the cap.
Health Insurance
If a foreign worker is not covered by the provincial/territorial health insurance plan during the work permit period, the employer must obtain and pay for private health insurance that includes emergency medical care.
The insurance the employer purchases must start on the foreign worker’s first day of work in Canada, and its cost must not be recovered from the foreign worker.
Workplace Safety
Like all other workers in Canada, foreign workers are entitled to a safe workplace free from all forms of harassment. For foreign workers you wish to hire under the work permit program, it is essential to enroll them in provincial or territorial workplace safety insurance and provide protection, as required by law. If provincial or territorial law gives employers the option of choosing a private insurance plan, please observe the following.
- Confirm that the chosen private insurance plan provides coverage equal to or better than that provided by the province or territory.
- Confirm that all workers at the business are covered by the same insurance company.
- Contact the relevant provincial or territorial workplace safety authority regarding the equivalency of private insurance plans.
[Important]
- Coverage must be in effect from the first day the foreign worker starts working in Canada, and these costs must not be recovered from the foreign worker.
- Employers who handle pesticides or potentially harmful chemicals must comply with provincial/territorial regulations.
Employment Contract
You do not need to submit a copy of the employment contract with your LMIA application, but it is essential to pledge to provide a completed and signed employment contract to each foreign worker on or before their first day of work. The employment contract must include the following.
- Details of the same occupation, wages and working conditions as stated in the job advertisement.
- It must be written in either English or French.
- It must be signed by both the foreign worker and the employer.
Employers may create and use their own employment contract as long as it includes all required information. They can also use the employment contract template for primary agriculture.
Employers are required to keep comprehensive employment records throughout the period of employment that fully demonstrate compliance with the employment contract.
In addition, employers registered with LMIA-REP must meet specific conditions regarding the foreign worker’s working language, the quality of housing (for agricultural workers), treatment where the occupation is unionized, and document retention.
Check-Ins and Inspections
In accordance with the conditions above, employers registered with LMIA-REP must agree to the following.
- Cooperate with the current inspection regime and random REP check-in visits to confirm compliance with the work permit program and LMIA-REP guidelines.
- Ensure that foreign workers receive, each year, the average wage for the occupation in which they are employed.
- Continue making reasonable efforts to hire Canadians or permanent residents and carry out ongoing recruitment activities.
If an Employer Does Not Comply with the Rules
If an employer using the work permit program is found to have violated any of the program’s standards, they may face penalties such as the following.
- Being unable to support work permits for the next 2 years.
- Having the business name and address published on IRCC’s “non-compliant employers” page.
- Having pending LMIAs refused.
- Having already issued LMIAs suspended or revoked.
Employers Considering a Work Permit Application
Feel free to contact us first!
Immigration Consultant
Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, she worked for six years in New York as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency, while also studying in an MBA program at the City University of New York. After returning to Japan, she managed the visa center of the same travel company, handling various international visa applications for foreign clients.
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