The Canadian labour market is in need of skilled workers to fill in the positions that Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada are not able or do not want to work. Kownia has assisted a large number of employers in Canada in obtaining positive LMIAs to recruit foreign workers in various industries.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

If the employer needs an LMIA, they must apply for one. Once the employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit. There are six specialized applications and two general applications for LMIA as follows.

Specialized applications:

• Express entry: Hire a skilled foreign worker to support their permanent residence through an economic immigration program.
• Global Talent Stream: Hire uniquely-skilled talent or in-demand workers in select ICT or STEM jobs to scale up and grow your business.
• Academics: Hire an academic at a college, university or degree-granting institution in Canada.
• Agriculture: Hire on-farm foreign workers for jobs in primary agriculture.
• Caregivers: Hire an in-home worker to care for children, seniors or persons with medical needs.
• Positions in Quebec.

General applications:

The wage being offered for the position will determine if the employer needs to apply for an LMIA under the Stream for High-wage Positions or the Stream for Low-wage Positions, each with its own requirements.

• Low-wage Positions LMIA: If the employer is offering a wage to a temporary foreign worker that is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, the employer must apply under the Stream for low-wage positions.
• High-wage Positions LMIA: If the employer is offering a wage to a temporary foreign worker that is at or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, the employer must apply under the Stream for high-wage positions.