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. Almost all Canadian work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), formerly called a Labor Market Opinion (LMO). If the employer needs an LMIA, they must apply for one. Once an employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.

To apply for a work permit, a worker needs

• a job offer letter
• a contract
• a copy of the LMIA, and
• the LMIA number

Processing times of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications can vary depending on the number of applications received.

The processing time taken depends on:

• submitting your application using the LMIA Online Portal
• ensuring your LMIA application is complete before it is submitted. Incomplete applications will not be processed or will be returned.
• ensuring that the signing authority has signed all required documents

LMIA Online applications:

Submit your applications electronically using the LMIA Online Portal. Online applications are processed 10 days faster.

LMIA Online Portal allows:

• To submit an LMIA application at any time and from anywhere
• To upload supporting documents for your application on a secure platform
• To securely pay LMIA application fees
• To view correspondence and decision letters
• To get real-time updates on the status of your application at any time

To access the LMIA Online Portal, an employer and a third party (if applicable) must have a valid Job Bank account for Employers for authentication purposes. Once Job Bank account(s) is/are created, you will be able to complete an LMIA application via the LMIA Online Portal. After you have applied through the LMIA Online Portal , confirm the status of application at any time by logging into LMIA Online account. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for the issuance of work permits after a positive decision is received on your LMIA application.