Get a Positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) to hire a Foreign Worker
The purpose of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is to assess whether there will be a positive, negative or neutral impact of hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) on the Canadian job markets. Before allowing employers to hire Foreign National, Employment and Social Development Canada must ensure that they have actively attempted to hire a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to fulfill that position. Employers who receive positive LMIAs can hire a TFW for the role they have applied an LMIA for. TFW will be eligible to apply for a work permit and in some cases for Permanent Residency.
Looking for information about the Owner and Operator Labour Impact Market Assessment (OO-LMIA)?
Requirements
Recruitment
Recruitment is the process of finding and selecting qualified employees. As part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements, you must conduct recruitment efforts to hire Canadians and permanent residents before offering a job to a temporary foreign worker.
Streams
Low-Wage
You need to apply for a low-wage LMIA if the position you are offering to the TFW is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage. Currently in Ontario, the median hourly wage is $22.50 (subject to change). Therefore if you are applying for an LMIA in Ontario, and the wage you are offering to the TFW is below $22.50/hr, you must apply under the Low-Wage stream. There is a cap on the number of low-wage positions an employer can offer at a given location. Low-wage LMIAs also have unique recruitment/advertisement requirements.
High-Wage
If you are offering the TFW a wage at or above the provincial median wage, you must apply for a high-wage LMIA. Apart from unique recruitment/advertisements, High-Wage LMIA applications require that the employer provide a transition plan.
Transition Plan
A transition plan describes the activities the employer agrees to undertake in order to reduce your reliance on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This can include supporting the TFW’s application for Permanent Residency. Adherence to transition plans are vital to success of subsequent LMIA applications.