LMIA Canada — 2026 Guide
Labour Market Impact Assessment: how it works, what it costs, and how it leads to a work permit
What an LMIA Is — and Isn't
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is the document a Canadian employer usually needs before hiring a temporary foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms that hiring you will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market and that no suitable Canadian or permanent resident was available. The employer applies and pays the CAD 1,000 fee — never the worker.
The most important 2026 update: an LMIA no longer adds CRS points in Express Entry. It remains a genuine route to a Canadian work permit and Canadian work experience — but if someone promises you a paid LMIA "for PR points," that is a red flag.
The LMIA Process, Step by Step
Determine wage stream
Compare the offered wage to the provincial median to set high-wage vs low-wage rules.
Advertise & recruit locally
Employer meets minimum advertising and recruitment requirements for Canadians/PRs.
Submit LMIA application
Employer applies to ESDC and pays the CAD 1,000 per-position fee.
Receive decision
A positive (or neutral) LMIA confirms the foreign worker can be hired.
Worker applies for work permit
The worker uses the LMIA to apply for an employer-specific work permit.
Beware of "buy an LMIA" scams. It is illegal for an employer to charge you for an LMIA or to recover the fee from your wages. A legitimate LMIA reflects a real job with real recruitment behind it. Always verify an offer with a licensed professional before paying anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Canadian Job Offer? Let's Check the LMIA
Future Link Consultants (RCIC R506940) reviews your job offer, verifies the LMIA requirements, and guides you through the closed work permit — and the PR pathways that Canadian experience can unlock.