The Role of LMIA in Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers

Why an LMIA Is Required Before Hiring Foreign Workers

Before a Canadian employer can hire most foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), they must receive approval from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This approval comes in the form of a positive or neutral LMIA, which confirms that hiring an international worker is justified because qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents were not available to fill the position.

The assessment also helps protect Canada's labour market by ensuring employers have made genuine recruitment efforts before seeking talent from outside the country. Without this approval, most employer-specific work permit applications cannot move forward under the TFWP.

Steps in the LMIA Process

Although every application is unique, the overall process follows several important stages.

1. Advertise the Position

Before submitting an application, employers must advertise the job according to federal requirements. Depending on the stream, advertising must take place between 14 days and eight weeks during the three months before the application is submitted. This advertising period is separate from the published processing times.

2. Submit the Application

Once recruitment requirements have been completed, the employer prepares the application with supporting documents, including recruitment records, wage information, business documentation, and proof that hiring a foreign worker will address a legitimate labour shortage.

Submitting complete documentation at the beginning can help avoid unnecessary requests for additional information.

3. Assessment by ESDC

Once the application has been submitted, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), through Service Canada, conducts a detailed review to determine whether hiring a foreign worker will have a positive, neutral, or negative impact on Canada's labour market. During this stage, officers carefully examine the information provided by the employer to ensure all program requirements have been met and that the position genuinely requires international recruitment.

The assessment typically includes a review of the following factors:

• Recruitment efforts to confirm the employer made reasonable attempts to hire qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Wages offered to ensure they meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the occupation and region.
• Working conditions to verify they comply with Canadian labour standards and provide a safe workplace.
• Current labour shortages within the industry and region to determine whether there is a genuine need to hire a foreign worker.
• Business legitimacy, including whether the employer is actively operating and financially capable of fulfilling the employment offer.
• Compliance with Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements, including the employer's history of meeting federal rules and obligations.

If additional information or supporting documents are required, ESDC may contact the employer before making a final decision. Once the review is complete, the employer will receive either a positive, neutral, or negative decision. A positive or neutral outcome allows the employer to proceed with hiring the foreign worker and continue with the work permit application process. A negative decision means the application has not met the required criteria, and the position cannot be filled through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

4. Work Permit Application

After Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) issues a positive or neutral LMIA, the employer can move to the next stage of the hiring process by providing the foreign worker with the documents required for a work permit application. These documents confirm that the position has received government approval and that the worker has been offered employment under the conditions outlined in the application.

The employer typically provides the following:

• The LMIA decision letter issued by ESDC.
• A signed job offer letter outlining the position, wages, duties, work location, and employment conditions.
• Supporting employment documents, which may include the employment contract and other records requested by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Once these documents have been received, the foreign worker can submit an employer-specific work permit application to IRCC. During its assessment, IRCC reviews the worker's eligibility, verifies the supporting documentation, and ensures all immigration requirements have been met before making a final decision.

Although ESDC recommends the expected duration of employment when issuing the LMIA, the final decision regarding the validity period of the work permit rests with IRCC. The approved work permit may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances, passport validity, program requirements, and current immigration policies.

Applicants should also remember that an approved LMIA is generally valid for up to six months from the date it is issued. The work permit application must be submitted before the approval expires; otherwise, the employer may need to obtain a new LMIA before the hiring process can continue. Preparing all required documents promptly and submitting a complete application can help reduce unnecessary delays and keep the recruitment process moving forward.

Remember the Six-Month Validity Period.

One important detail many employers overlook is that an approved LMIA is generally valid for up to six months.

This means the foreign worker must submit their work permit application before the approval expires. Delays after approval could require the employer to begin the process again, resulting in additional costs and waiting periods.

Planning recruitment well in advance can help employers avoid these situations.

Temporary Foreign Worker Admissions Continue to Decline

Canada has also adjusted its immigration targets for temporary foreign workers.

For 2026, the federal government plans to admit approximately 60,000 temporary foreignworkers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, compared with 82,000 in 2025. This reduction forms part of Canada's broader objective of lowering the proportion of temporary residents within the country's population over the coming years

Recent admission figures already reflect this trend, with fewer workers entering Canada during the first several months of 2026 compared with previous years.

A reduction in applications over time may eventually help ease processing inventories, although current wait times remain dependent on application volumes and operational capacity.

What Employers Should Do Now

Businesses planning to recruit internationally should avoid waiting until positions become urgent.

Instead, employers should:

• Begin recruitment several months before the intended start date.
• Complete advertising requirements early.
• Prepare complete documentation before submission.
• Monitor monthly processing time updates.
• Respond quickly if Service Canada requests additional information.

Early preparation reduces unnecessary delays and helps businesses fill vacancies more efficiently.

How Travia Immigration and Consultancy Can Help

Navigating Canada's temporary foreign worker requirements can be challenging, especially as processing times continue to change throughout the year.

Travia Immigration and Consultancy proudly assists employers and foreign workers across the Oshawa, Ajax, and Durham regions with every stage of the immigration process. Whether you are applying through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, preparing employer documentation, or planning a work permit application, our team works closely with you to help keep your application complete, accurate, and organized.

Staying informed about current government processing updates allows employers to make informed hiring decisions while helping foreign workers prepare their applications with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does an LMIA application take in 2026?

Processing times depend on the application stream. According to the latest July 2026 update, processing ranges from approximately 8 business days under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program to 88 business days under the High-Wage Stream.

2. Can a worker apply for a work permit before receiving approval?

In certain situations, IRCC permits concurrent processing measures that allow eligible applicants to submit work permit applications while the employer's application is still being assessed. Eligibility depends on federal requirements.

3. Does processing time include the advertising period?

No. The published processing times begin only after the application has been submitted. Mandatory advertising must be completed beforehand and may take between 14 days and eight weeks

4. Why are some applications processed faster than others?

Processing speed depends on the application stream, the completeness of submitted documents, current application volumes, and whether additional information is required during assessment.

5. Can Travia Immigration and Consultancy assist employers with the process?

Yes. Travia Immigration and Consultancy assists employers and foreign workers throughout theOshawa, Ajax, and Durham region by helping prepare documentation, reviewing application requirements, and supporting work permits and employer-related immigration applications.

Contact Travia Immigration and Consultancy.

If you're planning to hire international talent or apply for a Canadian work permit, let Travia Immigration and Consultancy help you navigate every step of the process. Serving clients throughout the Oshawa, Ajax, and Durham regions, our team is committed to providing clear immigration support, accurate application preparation, and timely assistance based on the latest government requirements. Contact us today to discuss your immigration goals and begin your application with confidence.