Temporary Visa
Labour Market Impact Assessment
An application for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market, must be submitted by an employer before they may bring on a foreign employee to work for them. The ESDC/Service Canada will provide the employer with the final decision in writing if the employer has submitted an LMIA and has complied with all programme requirements.
How to Submit a LMIA
To prevent a potential processing delay, employers must make sure that all necessary documents are submitted at the time of application. For an LMIA, the following forms must be completed, signed, and submitted:
- LMIA Application form (EMP5593).
When the application is submitted, the employer must provide the name of the foreign national they seek to hire in this document.
- Schedule D – Skilled trades job offer – Employer #2 (EMP5595) (if applicable).
- Job offer signed by employer and the foreign worker.
- Proof of business legitimacy.
- Proof of advertisement (for example a copy of advertisement and information to support where, when and for how long the position was advertised).
- Paid application fee with payment information (if applicable).
A government representative will notify the employer that the application will not be completed if Service Canada determines that it is incomplete after it has been submitted. Applications that are judged incomplete won't be given back to the company. Employers are highly urged to send copies of documents rather than the originals to prevent paperwork loss.
What are the results of a LMIA application?
Based on the data in the supporting documents, the ESDC/Service Canada will determine whether an accepted application receives a positive or negative LMIA. If the LMIA is successful, the employer will be given a letter of confirmation that is good for six months after it is issued. If the company wants the foreign worker to start working while waiting for the outcome of the permanent residency application, this document will support the skilled worker's application for either a Permanent Resident visa or Work Permit. If the ESDC/Service Canada determines that the employer does not meet the conditions of the LMIA programme, a negative LMIA will be issued.
The length of time it takes to process an LMIA depends on the type of employment application. Employers can refer to a chart that the Government of Canada has developed online for precise processing times based on a particular application.
Find out more about LMIA applications and how it relates to your individual situation.
