For foreign workers who wish to work in Canada and for their employers, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an unavoidable process. Because LMIA applications are heavily influenced by regional unemployment rates, staying up to date with the latest data is extremely important. In this article, we explain in detail how the unemployment rate data applicable from January 9, 2026 to April 9, 2026 will affect LMIA applications.

In Canada, the eligibility of LMIA applications for low-wage positions is largely determined by unemployment rates on a city-by-city basis. We previously provided a detailed explanation of the LMIA application restrictions announced on September 26, 2024. If you are not yet familiar with the details of these restrictions, we recommend reading that article first.

Under the LMIA application restrictions announced by the Government of Canada on September 26, 2024, LMIA applications are no longer accepted in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Unemployment rates are updated quarterly. This time, the latest unemployment rate data applicable to LMIA applications submitted between January 9, 2026 and April 9, 2026 has been released.

Only the areas listed here are subject to these rules. Unemployment rates are updated quarterly (April–June / July–September / October–December / January–March).

According to the latest data, unemployment rates across Canada are generally trending downward. As a result, some major metropolitan areas—such as Montreal and Vancouver—have seen their unemployment rates fall below 6%.

This news article is based on official information from the Government of Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada) and has been organized and summarized in an easy-to-understand format by Visa JP Canada.

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: Refusal to process a Labour Market Impact Assessment application (English)

In cities across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, unemployment rates have improved to below 6%. Ontario has also seen improvements of approximately 1–2% in most cities, with some exceptions. As a result, it is now possible to submit LMIA applications for low-wage positions in cities such as Halifax, Montreal, and Winnipeg.

In Western Canada, including British Columbia and Alberta, many cities still have unemployment rates of 6% or higher; however, overall unemployment trends are improving. Kelowna stands out as an exception, with its unemployment rate increasing sharply by 2.5%.

Vancouver’s Unemployment Rate Falls Below 6% — A Major Step Toward Resuming LMIA Applications

While British Columbia and Alberta as a whole are experiencing declining unemployment rates, the most notable development in the latest data is that Vancouver’s unemployment rate has fallen below 6%. In the previous reference period, Vancouver’s unemployment rate stood at 6.8%, but it has now improved to 5.9%, making the metropolitan area once again eligible for LMIA applications for Low-Wage Positions.

At the same time, some areas within British Columbia—such as Kelowna—have seen rising unemployment rates, making it essential to continue checking eligibility on a city-by-city basis.

Although there are still major metropolitan areas—particularly in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia—where unemployment rates exceed 6%, the overall trend across Canada is downward. Until April 9, 2026, the number of regions accepting LMIA applications for low-wage positions has increased, including Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.