LMIA Applications
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is ESDC's decision that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian labour market. The programme has been tightened repeatedly since late 2024 — shorter permits, tighter caps, higher wage thresholds and far more enforcement. Whether an LMIA is even possible now depends heavily on the wage and the location.
High-wage or low-wage — and the line moved in July
The threshold is the provincial median hourly wage plus 20%, not the bare median. It changed on 17 July 2026: British Columbia is now $38.40 an hour, up from $36.60. Alberta is $37.50 and Ontario $36.92.
- ● At or above it — high-wage: up to 3 years, 4 weeks of advertising, a mandatory Transition Plan, no cap.
- ● Below it — low-wage: maximum 1 year, 8 weeks of advertising, mandatory youth recruitment, and a cap on your foreign workforce at that location.
The rule that stops most Fraser Valley low-wage applications
Since September 2024, ESDC will not process a low-wage LMIA where the work location is in a census metropolitan area with unemployment of 6% or higher. On the table in force until 8 October 2026 that includes Abbotsford–Mission at 8.0%, Chilliwack at 7.9%, Kelowna at 7.5% and Vancouver at 6.7%.
Exempt regardless of location: primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care, certain in-home caregiver positions with medical documentation, and jobs of 120 days or less.
If the wage can reach $38.40 an hour, the high-wage stream is unaffected. Sometimes the answer is to restructure the role rather than abandon the hire.
Caps, duration, validity and fee
- ● Low-wage positions capped at 10% of the workforce at a location, or 20% for construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care, and in-home caregiving.
- ● A temporary 15% option runs to 31 March 2027 for eligible employers outside metropolitan areas in participating provinces, including BC.
- ● A positive LMIA is valid 6 months for the worker to apply — not twelve. Only SAWP is exempt.
- ● $1,000 per position, non-refundable, and it cannot be recovered from the worker.
Compliance is where the risk sits
Penalties across the Temporary Foreign Worker Program more than doubled in a year to $10.2 million, across 1,488 inspections with a 12% non-compliance rate and 30 employers banned. Individual penalties have reached $1 million with a ten-year ban. Since October 2024 an accountant's or lawyer's attestation is no longer accepted as proof a business is legitimate.
We build LMIA files with that in mind: recruitment records that survive an inspection, wages and duties that match what was advertised, and documentation you can still produce in six years, which is how long you must keep it.
Further reading: Why low-wage LMIAs are not being processed in Abbotsford
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC · Last updated 13 August 2026. Immigration rules change often — confirm anything time-sensitive with us or on canada.ca.
Benefits of the LMIA Program
For Canadian Employers
- • Access to a global talent pool to fill critical roles across industries.
- • Hiring international workers fosters innovation and global competitiveness.
- • Resolves labour shortages in key sectors like healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
For Foreign Workers
- • Opportunity to work in Canada and gain valuable international experience.
- • Develop new skills, adapt to diverse environments, explore industries.
- • Work legally in Canada with financial stability in a welcoming country.
LMIA Pathways Available
We support all major LMIA streams. Each has its own eligibility, wage rules, and recruitment requirements.
How to Apply for LMIA
For Employers
- Submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to ESDC.
- ESDC will review your application against required standards and criteria.
- If approved, you will receive a copy of the positive LMIA.
- You can include the foreign worker's name on the LMIA, enabling them to apply for a work permit.
For Foreign Workers
- Submit a work permit application following IRCC guidelines.
- IRCC will evaluate your application against necessary requirements.
- Once approved, IRCC will issue a work visa for entry into Canada.
- Upon arrival you will be granted a work permit specific to the LMIA employer.
Common Reasons for LMIA Refusal
Avoid these common pitfalls that often lead to LMIA refusals.
- ⚠ Failure to demonstrate sufficient efforts to hire Canadians (advertising, job fairs, online platforms).
- ⚠ A history of LMIA revocation within the past two years.
- ⚠ Ongoing labour disputes or non-compliance with employment standards.
- ⚠ Business deemed illegitimate or does not meet regulatory requirements.
- ⚠ Insufficient documentation supporting the foreign worker's work permit application.
- ⚠ For workers: Lacking relevant work experience or qualifications for the role.
- ⚠ For workers: Inability to meet the required language proficiency levels.
- ⚠ For workers: A criminal record (particularly for serious offenses) may disqualify you.
- ⚠ For workers: Failure to meet specific qualifications detailed in the job description.
Not Sure How to Proceed?
If your LMIA application has been refused for any of the reasons listed above, don't lose hope. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in handling cases with prior refusals. While we don't provide job placements for LMIA, we can assist you if you already have a valid job offer.
Our team has successfully secured approvals for clients who faced multiple previous refusals. By taking a personalized approach, we address every concern raised in your past refusals. We leverage case law and reference similar situations where approvals were granted, using them as precedents to strengthen your application.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a low-wage LMIA in Abbotsford right now?
Generally no. Abbotsford–Mission is at 8.0% unemployment on the table in force until 8 October 2026, above the 6% threshold at which ESDC refuses to process low-wage applications. The exemptions are primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care, some in-home caregiver roles, and jobs of 120 days or less. If the wage can reach $38.40 an hour, the high-wage stream is unaffected.
How long is an LMIA valid?
Six months from the date it is issued, for the worker to apply for a work permit. This changed on 1 May 2024 — it used to be twelve months, and a great deal of published guidance still says so. The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is the only exempt stream.
What does an LMIA cost?
$1,000 per position, non-refundable, whether or not it is approved. It cannot lawfully be charged back to the worker. Primary agriculture, in-home medical caregivers, and childcare where family income is $150,000 or less are exempt from the fee.
How long does an LMIA take?
As at July 2026: 10 business days for the Global Talent Stream, 23 for the agricultural stream, 73 for low-wage, 86 for a permanent-residence-supporting LMIA, and 88 for high-wage. Those are business days, so a high-wage application is around four months before the worker can even start their permit application.
Does an LMIA give the worker CRS points?
No. Arranged-employment points were removed from the Comprehensive Ranking System on 25 March 2025. An LMIA-backed job offer no longer adds 50 or 200 points. It can still matter for provincial nominations, for Federal Skilled Trades eligibility, and for the FSW selection grid — but not in the CRS.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
Waymark runs on the Nova System platform — built in Abbotsford, BC by practising RCICs.