LMIA pathways/streams

High-Wage Positions

Low-Wage Positions

Agriculture Stream

Permanent residency

Global Talent Stream

In-home Caregiver/Nanny

Owner Operator LMIA

Documents required for an LMIA application

LMIA application(s) can be different depending on the type of business/industry, business location, and the foreign worker they are looking to hire. Following is a generic checklist for reference:

• The LMIA rules, regulations and requirements are subject to frequent changes. These changes deal with different categories of jobs, duration, exemptions etc. Continuous research, attention to detail and painstaking hard work is required to obtain a positive LMIA. We help in assessment of our client’s profile and advice them on their eligibility to get an LMIA.

• We also assist our clients/employers with the advertisement posting.

• We help Canadian employers for applying Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application and legally representing them before ESDC during the procedure.

• Copy of advertisement and information to demonstrate where, when and for how long the position was advertised.

• Business registration or legal Incorporation documents (if first LMIA application). This does not apply to employers of In-home Caregivers.

• Provincial/municipal business license (where applicable and if first LMIA application). This does not apply to employers of In-home Caregivers.

• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) documents: T2 Schedule 100 Balance Sheet Information and T2 Schedule 125 Income Statement Information (for corporations). These are only required if this is the employer’s first LMIA application. This does not apply to film and entertainment or employers of In-home caregivers.

• Provincial/territorial workplace safety and insurance (e.g. workers compensation board) clearance letter/certificate (if applicable).

• Attestations (if required) from a lawyer or Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in good standing with a law society or respective professional body. Attestations from Chartered Accountants in Quebec are not authorized by the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec.

• Commercial lease agreement (where applicable). This does not apply to employers of In-home Caregivers.

• Film and Entertainment: Copy of employment contract (except film and TV).

• Provincial documentation requirements

  British Columbia: Employment Agency License (British Columbia’s Employment Standards Act) if applicable

  Alberta: Employment Agency Business Licence (Alberta’s Fair-Trading Act) if applicable.

  Manitoba: Certificate of Registration (Manitoba’s Worker Recruitment and Protection Act).

  Saskatchewan: Employer Registration Certificate (The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act) (no documentation required; however, employers must be registered).

  Nova Scotia: Employer Registration Certificate (Labour Standards Code).

LMIA application processing times

The processing times are averaged across all processing centres in Canada. Timelines represent the average time it takes to process an application from when it is received by Service Canada to when the decision is made on the application.

Global Talent Stream and applications that qualify for expedited service have a service standard of 10-business days that is expected to be met 80% of the time. The service standard date starts on the business day after the application has been received.