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IEC
By Rebecca Major
Posted on September 3, 2025
We’ve previously walked you through how to approach your employer for support with the IEC Young Professionals (YP) work permit. But, as you know, YP spots are limited, and not everyone will be eligible or lucky enough to receive an invitation.
If that’s the case for you, don’t worry. You may still have a path forward if you have a job offer in Canada: applying for a work permit with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document your employer applies for through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It proves that there’s a genuine need for your position, and that no Canadian or permanent resident is available to fill it.
Once a positive LMIA is issued, you can use it to apply for a work permit and continue your Canadian journey.
Here’s a high-level look at the main steps an employer must complete to secure an LMIA:
Step 1: Work out which LMIA stream applies – Employers must determine whether the role falls under the high-wage or low-wage stream (based on the provincial/territorial median wage), and/or if it qualifies for a specialized stream (such as agricultural, global talent). Each stream has its own rules and requirements.
Step 2: Recruitment for the position – Most employers must advertise the position and show proof that no qualified Canadians or PRs were found.
Step 3: Submit the LMIA – Submit the application with job details, proof of recruitment, processing fee and all other supporting documents to the ESDC.
Step 4: Wait for processing – LMIA applications generally take 2 to 3 months to be processed, but timelines vary depending on the stream and workload at Service Canada. Some specialized streams, like the Global Talent Stream, may be processed faster, while others can take longer.
Step 5: Receive the decision – If approved, the employer gets a positive LMIA confirmation letter.
Step 6: Provide you with documents – The LMIA letter and a detailed job offer, which you’ll use for your work permit application.
Step 7: Maintain compliance – Keep records of all LMIA-related documents and ensure wages, duties, and conditions match what was approved. Employers must comply with the LMIA decision and all applicable Canadian labour standards.
With an LMIA, most of the responsibility lies with the employer. Unlike the YP process, there’s only so much you can do to help. Still, you can:
Provide accurate information – Share all the necessary information so your employer can complete the forms correctly.
Point them to resources – Gather the official government guides and publicly available information on the LMIA process and share them with your employer so they have everything in one place.
Prepare for your own part – Once a positive LMIA is issued, in most cases, you’ll be responsible for preparing and submitting your work permit application and covering those fees. Use the LMIA processing time to get your work permit application ready. That way, as soon as the LMIA is approved, you can apply for your work permit.
For employers, supporting a work permit through the LMIA process is far more demanding than the straightforward Young Professionals pathway. Understanding the main challenges can help you anticipate concerns, and be ready to reassure your employer.
Job eligibility – Not every role can be supported by an LMIA, and certain occupations and LMIA streams face stricter conditions.
Different streams mean different requirements – Unlike the single YP process, the LMIA system has multiple streams, each with their own eligibility requirements.
Recruitment obligations – The employer must generally advertise the job and provide evidence that no qualified Canadians or permanent residents were available.
Higher costs and administrative work – Most LMIAs require a $1,000 processing fee (per position) and involve detailed documentation and record-keeping.
Processing times – Approvals are not immediate; it can take weeks or even months before a decision is issued.
Complex and Resource-intensive – LMIA applications often demand extensive preparation, and in some cases, employers may need the support of an immigration representative to make sure everything is done correctly.
Just like with the YP process, your goal is to make things simple for your employer. Provide them with clear information, highlight that you’ll help them through each step, and emphasize that this pathway is well-established and commonly used.
While the LMIA route is more involved than IEC, many workers successfully use it every year. If the YP wasn’t an option, this may be your best next step to securing your work permit in Canada.
To make things easier, we’ve pulled together a compact LMIA Resource Guide you can share directly with your employer, to help them decide whether an LMIA is right for them.
1. Determine if the position requires an LMIA? Check if the position requires an LMIA or if it’s exempt. 👉 Find out if you need an LMIA
2. Determine the NOC code The correct NOC code is essential for the application and defines job duties, skill level, and eligibility. 👉 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system
3. Determine the wage to pay Employers must pay the prevailing wage — the higher of:
the median wage on Job Bank for the job and location, or
the wage paid to Canadian or permanent resident employees in the same role and location with similar experience.
👉 Median hourly wages by province/territory
4. Determine the stream Compare the offered wage to the provincial/territorial median wage to identify if the role is high-wage or low-wage, or if it qualifies for a specialized stream. 👉 Determine the stream
5. Understand program requirements Each stream has its own rules, forms, and obligations. Review the correct one before applying: 👉 High Wage LMIA 👉 Low Wage LMIA 👉 Global Talent Stream 👉 Agricultural
6. LMIA process breakdown Step-by-step guidance on how the LMIA system works, timelines, and application details: 👉 Apply for a High Wage LMIA 👉 Apply for a Low Wage LMIA 👉 Apply for a Global Talent Stream LMIA
7. Submit through the LMIA Online Portal Apply online, upload documents, pay fees, and track progress. 👉 LMIA Online Portal
8. Employer compliance obligations Employers must keep records, follow conditions, and remain compliant after an LMIA is issued. 👉 Employer compliance rules
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