LMIA

Almost all Canadian work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), formerly called a Labour Market Opinion (LMO), in order hire a temporary foreign worker.

In many countries, there are agencies who issue fake offer letters and Work permits which will not help the candidates to seek their Canada PR. We at ICA Council will help the individual to find out whether the Work permit issued is legitimate. Also, we will help individuals to look for employers in the Canadian Job Market who are looking for employers across the globe. We will continue to perform FREE advisory role to safeguard the benefit of the candidate.

An LMIA is a labour market verification process whereby Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assesses an offer of employment to ensure that the employment of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market.  Employers will be required to provide a variety of information about the position for which they want to hire a foreign worker, including the number of Canadians who applied for the position, the number of Canadians who were interviewed, and detailed explanations for why the Canadian workers considered were not hired.

In their analysis of the offer of employment, ESDC will consider the following elements:

• 1. Is the salary offered to the foreign worker consistent with the average for the occupation in the area the position is located?
• 2. Are the working conditions consistent with labour laws and/or collective bargaining agreements?
• 3. Is there a labour shortage for that occupation in the area the position is located?
• 4. Is there an on-going labour dispute in the company and/or industry?
• 5. Has the Canadian employer undertaken recruitment efforts in order to find a Canadian to fill the position?
• 6. Will the foreign worker be able to transfer unique skills or expertise to Canadians?
• 7. Will hiring the foreign worker help to create or retain jobs for Canadians?
• 8. Will the foreign worker be the employee of the Canadian employer, whereby the foreign worker is expected to work on a full-time basis at a pre-determined wage?

Generally speaking, for jobs located in one of Canada’s major cities, the more specialized the position and the higher the salary offered, the higher the chances of obtaining a positive LMIA will be. In less populated cities and regions, this is still true but generally obtaining an LMIA may be easier.

LMIA Exempt Work Visa

You may be exempt from needing an LMIA for Express Entry if your current temporary job is LMIA-exempt, states a specific employer or employers (for skilled trade jobs, up to two employers can make a job offer), and is:

• 1. covered by an international agreement like NAFTA or GATS, and non-trade agreements. This can include professionals, traders and investors.
• 2. covered by an agreement between Canada and a province or territory. This includes “significant investment” projects.
• 3. exempt for “Canadian interests” reasons:
  • a. “significant benefit” – if your employer can prove you will bring an important social, cultural, and/or economic benefit to Canada. This can include:
    • i. general: Self-employed engineers, technical workers, creative and performing artists, etc.
    • ii. workers transferred within a company (intra-company transferees with specialized knowledge) – only those that will benefit Canada with their skills and experience
    • iii. workers under Mobilité francophone
  • b. reciprocal employment – lets foreign workers get jobs in Canada when Canadians have similar opportunities in other countries
    • i. general (such as professional coaches and athletes working for Canadian teams)
    • ii. International Experience Canada – a work abroad program for youth and young professionals
    • iii. people in exchange programs like professors and visiting lecturers
  • c. designated by the Minister
    • i. academics, including researchers, guest lecturers and visiting professors (sponsored through a recognized federal program)
    • ii. competitiveness and public policy
      • medical residents and fellows
      • post-doctoral fellows and people who have won academic awards from Canadian schools
  • d. Charity and religious work (not including volunteers)

These categories can be exempt only if you also meet the criteria in the first section of this page.

Note: jobs that are exempt from needing an LMIA still need a work permit.

We at ICA Council organize FREE Webinars which help you gain knowledge and details on the LMIA and LMIA exempt Work Permit. Furthermore, we help you seek non-profit organizations who wish to hire immigrants across the globe to work for a noble cause.

• Am I eligible?
• How do I apply?
• How much Funds do I need to qualify?
• Is my work experience relevant to apply for LMIA?
• I have work experience in professional organization, still can I get LMIA exempt Visa for a charitable organization?
• How do I contact the employers for LMIA visa?
• How do I contact non-profit organizations for LMIA exempt visa?
• How much is the processing time for LMIA and LMIA exempt?

And many other questions and topics are answered while this sessions.