The LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is the approval a Canadian employer needs to hire most temporary foreign workers. It shows that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job. As of November 2026, it costs $1,000 per position at the federal level and requires documented local recruitment and a wage at least equal to the prevailing wage.
This guide explains, in plain employer terms, what the LMIA actually requires, what it costs and the mistakes that most often lead to a refusal or a delay. Every rule cited comes from official Government of Canada and Government of Quebec sources, checked in November 2026.
What is an LMIA and what is it for?
The LMIA is issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A positive LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive effect on Canada's labour market. The worker then uses it to apply for a work permit.
A positive LMIA for an application received since May 1, 2024 is valid for up to six months: the worker must apply for the work permit before it expires (Canada.ca).
How much does an LMIA cost the employer?
Official fees as of November 2026 are as follows:
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
| Federal LMIA application | $1,000 per position requested, non-refundable | Employer only |
| Quebec LMIA assessment (jobs in Quebec) | $233 per worker | Employer |
| Temporary selection application (CAQ) | $233 per application | Employer or worker |
| Work permit (IRCC) | $155 per person | As agreed with the worker |
| Biometrics (IRCC) | $85 per person | As agreed with the worker |
Sources: ESDC requirements, Quebec fees (2026, in French) and IRCC fee list. The federal LMIA fee can never be paid by the worker or recovered from them. Quebec's fees are indexed every January 1.
These amounts are only part of the total cost. The time spent preparing the file, advertising, the worker's transportation for low-wage jobs and onboarding often weigh more. The heaviest cost is a refusal: you start over, and the job stays empty.
What are the requirements to get an LMIA?
It all depends on the stream, which is set by the wage offered. The threshold is the provincial median hourly wage plus 20%: $36.00/hour in Quebec, $36.92/hour in Ontario and $37.50/hour in Alberta for LMIAs received since July 17, 2026 (Canada.ca).
| Requirement | High-wage stream | Low-wage stream |
| Advertising | Job Bank + at least 2 other activities, one of them national in scope | Job Bank + at least 2 methods reaching under-represented groups, plus efforts aimed at youth |
| Advertising period | At least 4 consecutive weeks, within 3 months before applying | At least 8 consecutive weeks, within 3 months before applying |
| Commitment | Mandatory transition plan | Cap on low-wage workers per work location |
| Transportation | No obligation set out in the stream requirements | Round trip paid by the employer |
| Housing | No obligation set out in the stream requirements | Suitable and affordable (under 30% of gross income) |
| Health insurance | Private coverage from day one where provincial coverage doesn't apply | Private coverage from day one where provincial coverage doesn't apply |
Sources: high-wage stream and low-wage stream (Canada.ca, pages updated in September 2026).
How many low-wage workers can you hire?
The general cap is 10% of employees at a work location. It rises to 20% for construction, food manufacturing, hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities. A business with fewer than 10 employees can hire at most one worker under a 10% cap, or two under a 20% cap. Some agricultural, seasonal and short-duration jobs are exempt.
Another key point: since September 26, 2024, ESDC does not process low-wage applications in census metropolitan areas where unemployment is 6% or higher, subject to exemptions. In Quebec, this measure has applied again to the Montreal and Laval regions since April 10, 2026.
What is different in Quebec?
In Quebec, the LMIA application must be submitted at the same time to ESDC and to the Government of Quebec, together with the worker's temporary selection application. Since December 17, 2025, employers with 25 or more employees must also comply with the francization process under the Charter of the French Language, except agricultural businesses (Québec.ca, in French).
Using a temporary foreign worker recruitment agency also comes with rules: in Quebec, the agency must hold a CNESST licence, and the client business must check it. Industrielle RH holds placement agency licence AP-2000503.
What mistakes cause an LMIA application to fail?
The same mistakes come up again and again. Each one can lead to a refusal, a request for more documents or a new round of advertising.
- A wage below the prevailing wage. The prevailing wage is the higher of the Job Bank median and what you already pay employees in the same job. A lower offer results in a negative LMIA.
- Advertising that is too short or too old. The ad must have run for the minimum period within the three months before you apply, and at least one recruitment activity must continue until a decision is made.
- Incomplete proof of recruitment. Dated screenshots, number of applications, and the reason each Canadian applicant was not hired: document everything and keep these records for six years.
- An inconsistent job offer. Job title, duties, NOC code, wage and schedule must match across the ad, the application and the contract.
- Out-of-sync filing in Quebec. An application sent to only one government, or at different times, slows down the whole file.
- Forgetting the expiry date. A positive LMIA not used within six months is lost.
"An LMIA is won before you submit it: in the quality of your advertising, your wage and your evidence.
To prepare your local recruitment, our article on why your job posting drives good candidates away will help you write a clear ad. For the full timeline, read our guide to the steps and timelines for hiring a foreign worker in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How long does LMIA processing take?
According to ESDC, the September 2026 average was 98 business days for the high-wage stream, 82 for the low-wage stream and 9 for the Global Talent Stream. These times change monthly and do not include the advertising period.
Is the LMIA fee refundable?
No. The $1,000 per position is not refunded if the application is withdrawn, cancelled or refused, unless it was collected in error.
What is a transition plan?
It is a mandatory commitment for high-wage jobs. The employer describes the steps it will take to recruit, retain and train Canadians and permanent residents, to reduce its reliance on foreign workers.
Can the worker be charged for the LMIA or recruitment?
No. LMIA fees cannot be recovered from the worker. In Quebec, the employer also cannot charge the worker recruitment fees, except those allowed under a government program.
Preparing your LMIA with Industrielle RH
A well-prepared application lowers the risk of refusal and extra delays. Industrielle RH helps you set the wage, run and document local recruitment, then find and welcome the right international candidate, working with its partner IR Immigration on the immigration steps. Contact our team to review your job before you start advertising.