On March 6, 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced updates to the processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications across different categories. According to data from all processing locations, the average time to process LMIA requests has improved for every category except for those in the High-wage and Low-wage Streams. Here is the the list of the updated processing times for LMIA applications:
- Global Talent Stream – 7 business days
- Agricultural stream – 12 business days
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program – 6 business days
- Permanent residence Stream – 73 business days
- High-wage Stream – 54 business days
- Low-wage Stream – 54 business days
What is LMIA?
Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a crucial process in Canada that involves assessing the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market. Employers in Canada who wish to hire foreign workers are generally required to obtain an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA process helps determine whether there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job or if there are Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to do the job. A positive LMIA indicates that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do the job. Conversely, a negative LMIA indicates that the job should be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The process of applying for an LMIA is rigorous and requires employers to provide various pieces of information, including details about the job offer, the number of Canadians who applied for the job, and the reasons why Canadian workers were not hired. Employers must also demonstrate that they have made efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before applying for an LMIA. Moreover, the LMIA process assesses the wage offered to the foreign worker; it must be consistent with the wage paid to Canadians in similar roles in the same geographical area to ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labor market by driving down wages or conditions. Depending on the type of job and the industry, there may be different requirements and processing times for LMIAs.
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