Labour Market Impact Assessment
LMIA
A document an employer may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker, proving no Canadian worker is available for the job.
What is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer may need to obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available.
Why It Matters for Newcomers
If you need a work permit to work in Canada, your employer will often need a positive LMIA as part of the process. A valid LMIA-based job offer also adds 50 or 200 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, depending on the skill level of the occupation.
How It Works
The employer must advertise the position to Canadians first and demonstrate they could not fill it domestically. If ESDC determines the hire will have a positive or neutral impact on Canada's labour market, they issue a positive LMIA. The worker then uses the LMIA to apply for a work permit.
Quick Tip
Some work permits are LMIA-exempt, including those under international agreements like CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), intra-company transfers, and International Experience Canada (IEC). Always check whether your situation requires an LMIA before asking your employer to apply for one.