In 2026, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the median wages for each province and territory.

As a result, employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the High Wage stream must offer a higher hourly wage than before. For companies looking to hire foreign nationals in Canada and individuals aiming to obtain a work visa, this change is a crucial point that will influence the direction of future applications.

An LMIA is an authorization application required when Canadian employers hire foreign nationals. Employers submit it to Employment and Social Development Canada to prove that hiring a foreign national will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market, thereby prioritizing the employment of Canadian workers.

The LMIA has two categories: High Wage and Low Wage. The dividing line between these categories is whether the hourly wage offered by the employer exceeds the median wage of that province. If the hourly wage is equal to or higher than the provincial median wage, it is classified as High Wage, and if it is lower, it is classified as Low Wage.

The High Wage stream applies when the offered hourly wage is equal to or higher than the provincial median wage. When applying under this stream, you generally need to meet the following requirements.

• Hourly Wage Requirement: The offered hourly wage must be equal to or higher than the provincial median wage.
• Cap on Number of Applications: In principle, there is no cap on the number of foreign workers you can hire.
• Employment Duration: Applications can be made for up to three years.
• Other: Because the impact on the labour market is considered relatively low, it features fewer restrictions compared to the Low Wage stream. Additionally, submission of a Transition Plan for Canadian workers is required.

On the other hand, the Low Wage stream applies when the offered hourly wage is below the provincial median wage. This stream has the following requirements and restrictions.

• Hourly Wage Requirement: The offered hourly wage must be less than the provincial median wage.
• Cap on Number of Applications: There are strict limits on the proportion of low wage workers an employer can hire. Generally, this is up to 10 percent or 20 percent of the total workforce. Applications may not be accepted in certain regions with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or higher.
• Employment Duration: Usually one year.
• Other: Because the impact on the labour market is considered significant, stricter assessment criteria are in place, including caps on the number of applications and limits on the duration of employment.

With this change, LMIA applications under the High Wage stream will require a higher hourly wage level than before. The new median wages for each province and territory are as follows.

2026 Latest Median Wages for Canadian Provinces and Territories

Conclusion and Shiraishi Visa JP Canada Guidance

With this update to the median wages, employers must offer higher salaries than before when utilizing the High Wage stream. If the hourly wage requirement cannot be met, the application will fall under the Low Wage stream, which comes with severe restrictions, potentially requiring a review of hiring plans.

In recent years, many revisions and stricter restrictions have been implemented specifically regarding work visas and LMIAs. Accurately understanding the latest rules and preparing appropriately is more important than ever.

To understand how your situation is affected by the changing Canadian LMIA system and work visa rules, the first step is to accurately organize your information.

At the Shiraishi Visa JP Canada free consultation, we carefully listen to your current occupation, employment region, and visa status, and clearly explain the current system based on the latest wage data and official government guidance announced this time.

• You want to confirm how the hourly wage of your occupation is classified against the new median wage
• You want to grasp the overall picture regarding the differences between the High Wage and Low Wage rules

If this applies to you, please feel free to utilize our free consultation.

Please note that the free consultation is limited to listening to your current situation and providing general system information. Specific LMIA application procedures based on an individual’s specific work history or an employer’s corporate situation, as well as concrete countermeasure advice accompanying hourly wage increases, are provided through paid individual consulting by our government authorized consultants. Please start by organizing your current situation with our free consultation.

This article is a summary prepared by Visa JP Canada based on official information from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source (Last updated: July 17, 2026): Median wage – Temporary Foreign Worker Program (English)