What is Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

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 determines that there isn’t any Canadian worker accessible for the job and there is a need for a foreign worker to complete the job.

A positive LMIA can sometimes also be seen as a confirmation letter. To get details on the LMIA application the employer needs to contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The ESDC assesses an offer of employment to be ensured that the employment of that certain foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian Labour Market.

However, LMIA isn’t necessarily needed to apply for a work permit in some cases. If you want to know if your job offer also requires a LMIA, please contact us today and let us assess your situation.

There is two-step process to obtain a Canadian work permit that every foreign worker and employer has to go through.

Step one: The applicant must submit an application to ESDC for a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Step two: a second application must be submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the actual work permit.

Some of the factors ESDC will consider in their analysis of offer of employment are:

• Is there an a labour dispute in the company or industry
• Will the foreign worker be able to transfer unique skills or expertise to Canadians?
• Will hiring the foreign workers help create or retain jobs for Canadians?

The LMIA is issued by ESDC who after considering numerous protective labour market factors, approves and permits the Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker.

Contact us today if you want to know more about work permits and LMIA applications. At Akrami & Associates, there is Always a Way!