Do you need an LMIA at all?
Before starting an LMIA, we check whether the worker qualifies for an LMIA-exempt work permit, such as an intra-company transfer, a trade agreement professional, francophone mobility, or an open work permit the worker already holds. Exempt routes are usually faster and cheaper.
Choosing the stream
| Stream | When it applies | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| High-wage | Offered wage at or above the provincial or territorial threshold | Recruitment, a transition plan to reduce reliance on foreign workers, and the prevailing wage for the occupation and region |
| Low-wage | Offered wage below the threshold | Cap on low-wage foreign workers per worksite, the 6% unemployment rule, extended recruitment, and employer-paid transport and health coverage |
| Global Talent Stream | Specialized and in-demand tech and other occupations | Labour Market Benefits Plan; about two-week processing |
| Agricultural streams | Primary agriculture positions | Program-specific wage, housing and recruitment rules |
The threshold separating high-wage from low-wage is set at 20% above each province’s median hourly wage and is updated periodically. ESDC has warned that raising a wage just to move a position into the high-wage stream can itself lead to a refusal. The wage must also match the prevailing wage for that occupation and region.
Low-wage positions in 2026
- Unemployment rule: ESDC will not process low-wage LMIAs for work locations in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, unless a sector exemption applies. The list is updated every quarter. Montreal and Laval have a separate pause through December 31, 2026.
- Recruitment (since April 1, 2026): at least 8 consecutive weeks of advertising within the three months before you apply, using at least four methods. These must include the Job Bank, outreach to under-represented groups, and outreach to young Canadians.
- Workforce cap: low-wage temporary foreign workers are capped as a share of the worksite’s workforce, with a temporarily higher cap for some rural employers.
- Employer obligations: round-trip transportation, affordable housing where needed, and private health coverage until provincial coverage begins.
The application
- Job analysisWe confirm the occupation code (NOC), duties, prevailing wage, stream and work location.
- RecruitmentJob Bank posting (with Direct Apply) and other required methods. We keep the records ESDC will ask for.
- SubmissionThe LMIA application, business legitimacy documents, transition plan (high-wage) and the $1,000 fee per position.
- ESDC interviewAn officer may call to verify the business, the job and the recruitment. We prepare you for it.
- Work permitWith a positive LMIA, the worker applies for an employer-specific work permit.
Staying compliant
Employers who use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program can be inspected for up to six years. You must pay the wages and provide the working conditions in the offer, keep records, and maintain a workplace free of abuse. Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 per violation and $1 million per year, publication of the employer’s name, and bans from the program. We run compliance reviews and represent employers during inspections.
LMIAs and permanent residence
Since March 2025, a job offer, including one supported by an LMIA, no longer adds points in Express Entry. Canadian work experience gained on an LMIA-based permit still counts toward the Canadian Experience Class and many provincial streams.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.