If you are looking into working in Canada the first thing you and your employer need to know is if you require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)

Generally, an employer who wants to hire a foreign worker must submit in the first place an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada.

This application will provide ESDC with enough proof that there was no suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position offered. Every employer must be ready to comply with all the conditions imposed by ESDC. These conditions will ensure that the recruitment process was done properly and that the job offer is genuine.

To be able to apply for an LMIA you must have an offer of employment that fulfills the requirements in order to submit the application. Under the LMIA there are several categories depending on the type of position offered and the wages for it.

• Global Talent Stream

• Agricultural stream

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

• Permanent residence stream

• In-home caregivers

• High-wage stream

• Low-wage stream

Each category has different requirements and processing times. Due to the recent pandemic, some of them are in constant change.

Once the job offer has been approved a positive LMIA will be issued. This shows that there is a need for the foreign worker to fill the job you are offering and that there is no Canadian worker available to do the job.

Once a positive LMIA has been issued, you should provide a copy of the confirmation letter to the foreign temporary worker and them to apply for a work permit.

The LMIA application is one of the most complex ones, the purpose of it is to make sure that the employer will be able to comply with the requirements of the position offered as well as making sure that there was no permanent resident or Canadian citizen that could have been able to perform the job.

Under the current circumstances of this pandemic LMIA processing and procedures are in constant change we suggest you are up to date. You have questions; we have answers. Subscribe to our Newsletter to continue reading about the latest Canadian Immigration News.