Last Updated:July 27, 2026
What is an LMIA?
LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment, a document that Canadian employers must obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a foreign worker. When a suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident cannot be found for the position, ESDC assesses that hiring a foreign worker is necessary and issues a positive LMIA letter to the employer. Having a positive LMIA letter allows the applicant to apply for a work permit.
Types of LMIA
High-Wage Stream
Hires foreign workers at an hourly wage equal to or above the provincial median hourly wage.
Low-Wage Stream
Hires foreign workers across a wide range of occupations at an hourly wage below the provincial median hourly wage.
Global Talent Stream
Selectively hires individuals with unique talent or workers in high-demand occupations to achieve business growth and expansion.
Caregiver Stream
Hires foreign workers to provide care for children, seniors, or individuals with medical needs.
Agricultural Stream
Hires temporary foreign agricultural workers for occupations and activities related to primary agriculture.
Differences Between High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams
The High-Wage Stream applies when the hourly wage offered is at or above the provincial median hourly wage. Conversely, the Low-Wage Stream applies when the hourly wage offered is below the provincial median hourly wage.
| Item | High-Wage Stream | Low-Wage Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Wage Threshold | At or above provincial median wage | Below provincial median wage |
| Application Cap | None | Cap applies (generally up to 10% of total workforce; 0% in certain regions) |
| Employment Duration | Up to 3 years | Usually 1 year |
| Key Characteristics | Considered to have less impact on the labour market | Considered to have a significant impact on the labour market, subject to strict limitations |
Median Hourly Wages by Province/Territory (Latest)
| Province / Territory | LMIAs received between June 27, 2025 and July 16, 2026 | LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $36.00 | $37.50 (+$1.50) |
| British Columbia | $36.60 | $38.40 (+$1.80) |
| Manitoba | $30.16 | $31.33 (+$1.17) |
| New Brunswick | $30.00 | $31.73 (+$1.73) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $32.40 | $33.60 (+$1.20) |
| Northwest Territories | $48.00 | $48.00 ($0.00) |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 | $31.96 (+$1.96) |
| Nunavut | $42.00 | $45.00 (+$3.00) |
| Ontario | $36.00 | $36.92 (+$0.92) |
| Prince Edward Island | $30.00 | $31.20 (+$1.20) |
| Quebec | $34.62 | $36.00 (+$1.38) |
| Saskatchewan | $33.60 | $34.62 (+$1.02) |
| Yukon | $44.40 | $45.60 (+$1.20) |
Application Restrictions for Low-Wage LMIA
To protect the domestic labour market, the Low-Wage Stream (when hiring at an hourly wage below the provincial median wage) is subject to strict application restrictions and conditions as outlined below.
No Applications Accepted in Metropolitan Areas with Unemployment Rates of 6% or Higher
LMIA applications for low-wage positions will not be processed in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher.
| Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Unemployment Rate (July 10, 2026 – October 8, 2026) |
|---|---|
| St. John’s (NL) | 7.3% |
| Halifax (NS) | 5.9% |
| Moncton (NB) | 8.1% |
| Saint John (NB) | 5.9% |
| Fredericton (NB) | 5.3% |
| Saguenay (QC) | 3.4% |
| Québec City (QC) | 4.0% |
| Sherbrooke (QC) | 4.3% |
| Trois-Rivières (QC) | 5.3% |
| Drummondville (QC) | 5.7% |
| Montréal (QC) | 6.8% |
| Ottawa – Gatineau (ON/QC) | 6.7% |
| Kingston (ON) | 5.3% |
| Belleville – Quinte West (ON) | 6.7% |
| Peterborough (ON) | 7.0% |
| Oshawa (ON) | 8.5% |
| Toronto (ON) | 7.3% |
| Hamilton (ON) | 6.9% |
| St. Catharines – Niagara (ON) | 5.8% |
| Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo (ON) | 8.1% |
| Brantford (ON) | 6.2% |
| Guelph (ON) | 7.4% |
| London (ON) | 7.8% |
| Windsor (ON) | 7.9% |
| Barrie (ON) | 7.9% |
| Greater Sudbury (ON) | 6.2% |
| Thunder Bay (ON) | 4.9% |
| Winnipeg (MB) | 5.6% |
| Regina (SK) | 5.9% |
| Saskatoon (SK) | 6.5% |
| Lethbridge (AB) | 5.4% |
| Calgary (AB) | 7.0% |
| Red Deer (AB) | 7.2% |
| Edmonton (AB) | 7.2% |
| Kelowna (BC) | 7.5% |
| Kamloops (BC) | 7.0% |
| Chilliwack (BC) | 7.9% |
| Abbotsford – Mission (BC) | 8.0% |
| Vancouver (BC) | 6.7% |
| Victoria (BC) | 4.6% |
| Nanaimo (BC) | 6.5% |
Job Advertisement Requirement
Under the Low-Wage Stream, employers are required to advertise the position to local workers (Canadian citizens and permanent residents) for a minimum of 8 weeks prior to submitting the application.
Cap on Proportion of Low-Wage Positions
In most sectors, the proportion of temporary foreign workers hired in low-wage positions is capped at 10%. However, this cap is set at 20% for the construction and healthcare sectors.
Work Permit Validity Period
Work permits issued under low-wage positions are valid for a maximum duration of 1 year.
Global Talent Stream Application Requirements
The Global Talent Stream is designed to help innovative businesses aiming for growth and expansion quickly hire highly specialized global talent. To apply, businesses must meet the requirements of one of the following two categories depending on their situation and the required talent.
Category A
The foreign worker applicant must receive a job offer from a company listed with designated referral partners (over 40 high-growth firms across Canada, excluding Quebec). In addition, the applicant must be an individual with unique and specialized talent as described below:
- A minimum hourly wage of $38.46 or an annual salary of $80,000
- Advanced knowledge of the industry
- An advanced degree in a specialized field of interest to the employer
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in the specialized field
Category B
Accepts applications from companies in Canada that need to hire highly skilled foreign workers for occupations specified on the Global Talent Occupations List that are in demand and determined to have an insufficient domestic labour supply. Eligible occupations include any of the following:
- Civil engineers
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- Mining engineers
- Aerospace engineers
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- Mathematicians and statisticians
- Information systems analysts and consultants
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Software engineers and designers
- Computer programmers
- Interactive media developers
- Web designers and developers
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- Information systems testing technicians
- Digital media designers
Employers interested in utilizing the LMIA-REP are recommended to seek professional advice to ensure an accurate understanding of the latest information. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Key LMIA Assessment Factors
- Necessity of the position within the business
- Legitimateness of the job requirements for the position
- Wages offered
- Working conditions
- Efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents (mandatory job advertising)
- Legality of the job offer
- Economic contribution of the employment to Canada
- Employer suitability for hiring foreign workers
General LMIA Application Process
01Identifying the Foreign Candidate
The employer selects the staff member they wish to support for a visa.
02Issuing a Job Offer
The employer issues a job offer detailing the occupation, wage, and employment conditions. A suitable position matching the candidate’s background is identified among existing workplace positions, offering a wage equal to or above the prevailing wage for that occupation.
03Posting Job Advertisements for Local Workers
Advertisements meeting ESDC requirements are posted across multiple media platforms for a minimum of 4 weeks.
04Reviewing Job Applicants
If no suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident can be found among the applicants, the employer may proceed with the LMIA application.
05Submitting the Online LMIA Application
The application form must be filled out online, and supporting documents uploaded via the online portal. A fee payment request is issued within a few days of submission, which is paid by credit card.
06ESDC Application Review
Following document review by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), a phone interview with the employer is frequently conducted. During the call, the employer is asked to explain application details and clarify any outstanding questions.
07Issuance of Positive LMIA Letter
Upon approval, a Positive LMIA Letter is issued. As this letter is required for the candidate’s work permit or permanent residency application, the employer provides a copy of the letter to the staff member.
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