Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

It is important to note that Canadian employers should be a regular taxpayer in Canada. Also, the occupation or job position offered by Canadian employer or selected by candidate (or foreign skilled worker) should be listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list. The NOC is the national system to describe and grouping (classifying) job vacancies or positions according to skills.

In order to secure Canada work permit, both Canadian employers and foreign skilled workers and immigrants need to have a copy of positive LMIA to support job offers and expedite visa application process. In other words, a valid job offer should always be supported by a positive LMIA.

Applicants, who have online profile in Express Entry pool, can gain extra points on Comprehensive Ranking Scale (CRS) by securing valid job offer. It ensures Canada immigration through official channel on fast track mode. Please make a note that foreign skilled workers (or applicants) must fulfil all eligibility criteria of immigration process.

Since application processing under LMIA program requires a lot of documentation and co-ordination, applicants must seek guidance and support from trusted immigration consultant like Key Global Immigration Services to achieve their dreams of Canada migration.

Please make a note that applicants seeking Canada work permit under International Mobility Program (IMP) do not require positive LMIA. In short, the LMIA is required under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is divided into streams for higher-skilled workers and lower-skilled workers. Positions mentioned in skill levels 0, A and B of National Occupational Classification (NOC) system are grouped in higher-skilled category, while job positions mentioned in skills levels C and D are grouped in lower-skilled category.

In order to oversee demands of local labour markets and permit foreign skilled workers to enter the country, the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has designed LMIA Canada immigration process.

To summarise, the ESDC considers below-mentioned aspects in a valid job offer (issued by Canadian employers) –

• Salary offered to foreign skilled workers and immigrants should be in sync with average salary paid for occupation or job position
• The work conditions must follow existing laws for employees
• The hiring of skilled workers must fulfil shortage of labour in specific province or territory
• Canadian employer must obtain LMIA from ESDC
• Through positive LMIA it must be highlighted that foreign skilled worker or immigrant must contribute to economy and growth
• The valid Canada job offer letter must mention all related features of job positions or occupation

Different Categories of Canada Work Permit

The Work Permit can be easily secured by candidates, who fall into the following categories –

• Temporary workers – Based on the education, skills, training, knowledge, experience and nature of work done by the candidate, Canadian employers offer job (employment) offers supported by LMIA or in other terms help candidates secure Canada Open Work Permits and Employer-specific Work Permits. Such foreign skilled workers are allowed to extend Canada work permit after fulfilling eligibility criteria.
  ➜ Open Work Permit– Candidates are allowed to work for any Canadian employer in specific province. Canadian employers, who do not fulfill government’s regulations, do not come in this category. The Open Work Permit is only granted to candidates, who fulfill all eligibility criteria.
  ➜ Employer-specific Work Permit –Candidates having required education, skills, training, work experience and language proficiency are allowed to secure employer-specific work permit.
• Permanent workers – Candidates under this category of work permit are allowed to work and stay in Canada. They need to create online profile in Express Entry pool.