Many employer-specific work permits rely on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) obtained by the Canadian employer from Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada before the foreign worker applies for a work permit.
At a glance
- Employer LMIA application and recruitment requirements
- Wage, occupation and business-legitimacy evidence
- Foreign worker qualifications and work permit application
- Employer compliance with provincial and federal requirements
Two connected stages
The employer usually completes the LMIA process first. A positive LMIA does not itself authorize the worker to work; the worker generally uses the LMIA and job offer to support a separate work permit application.
Employer requirements
The employer must use the correct LMIA stream and meet applicable recruitment, wage, business-legitimacy and program requirements. Additional provincial employer-registration rules may also apply.
Worker application
The worker must independently meet the work-permit requirements, including admissibility and evidence that they are qualified for the offered position.
Planning for retention
Where appropriate, employers may also want to consider whether the worker has a viable provincial or federal permanent residence pathway so that temporary work authorization and long-term retention planning are coordinated.
Official government resources
Use these official sources for the current program rules, forms and government instructions.
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