LMIA · EMPLOYER-DRIVEN WORK PERMITS
Hire the worker Canada needs.
We'll prove the labour market need.
An LMIA is the gate between a Canadian job offer and a foreign worker's work permit. We prepare the application, the advertising record, the Transition Plan or Labour Market Benefits Plan, and the supporting documents that Service Canada expects to see.
THE LANDSCAPE
What's actually
happening right now.
A quick read of the policy weather before we open your file - so the strategy fits the ground you're standing on.
Most LMIA refusals happen because the employer did not document the recruitment effort correctly, chose the wrong wage stream, or submitted a Transition Plan that was too generic. Service Canada scrutinizes every file - and a negative LMIA cannot be appealed, only refiled.
We work with the employer from the start: defining the NOC and wage, running the mandatory recruitment, and building the business-case narrative. A strong LMIA protects the worker's work permit application downstream.
HOW WE WORK
Four phases. No handoffs.
Position & stream audit
We confirm the NOC code, the provincial median wage, and which LMIA stream applies - high-wage, low-wage, Global Talent Stream, or caregiver.
001Recruitment & advertising review
We ensure the mandatory recruitment meets ESDC requirements: where it was posted, for how long, and why Canadian candidates were not suitable.
002Application & plan preparation
We draft the LMIA application, the Transition Plan or Labour Market Benefits Plan, and assemble employer financials and supporting documents.
003Filing & work-permit bridge
We file with Service Canada, respond to any requests for additional information, and then prepare the worker's work-permit application once the positive LMIA is issued.
004WHAT'S INCLUDED
Every file,
every time.
Not add-ons. Not tiers. Every labour market impact assessment file we open ships with the full scope below - quoted flat, priced up front.
- 01High-Wage & Low-Wage LMIA applications
- 02Global Talent Stream (GTS) filings
- 03Caregiver / in-home support worker LMIA
- 04Transition Plan & Labour Market Benefits Plan
- 05Recruitment advertising strategy
- 06Work-permit application after positive LMIA
WHERE FILES FAIL
The three pitfalls we see most.
Wrong wage stream
Choosing high-wage when the offer is below median - or vice versa - will get the file returned or refused. We run the math before submission.
Weak recruitment record
ESDC wants to see that Canadians had a real chance to apply. A few screenshots are not enough; we build a defensible recruitment file.
Generic Transition Plan
High-wage LMIAs need a credible plan to train or transition to Canadians. Copy-paste plans are a leading cause of refusal.
Missing caregiver requirements
Families must prove need, financial ability, and fair employment terms. We make sure the household file is complete before filing.
QUESTIONS WE GET
Straight answers.
How long does an LMIA take?+
Standard LMIAs typically take 2-3 months. The Global Talent Stream is processed in about 2 weeks. Caregiver and low-wage files can take longer depending on the Service Canada queue.
Can a worker apply for a work permit before the LMIA is approved?+
No. The worker usually needs the positive LMIA confirmation letter and the LMIA number before filing the work-permit application, unless they are LMIA-exempt.
What is the difference between high-wage and low-wage LMIA?+
It depends on whether the offered wage is at or above the provincial median. High-wage LMIAs need a Transition Plan. Low-wage LMIAs are subject to workforce caps and additional rules around housing and transportation.
Does every job offer need an LMIA?+
No. Many work permits are LMIA-exempt, including International Mobility Program streams, spousal open work permits, and post-graduation work permits. We assess whether an LMIA is actually required.
Can a refused LMIA be appealed?+
There is no formal appeal. A negative decision can only be addressed by refiling with a stronger application or, in limited cases, requesting a reconsideration.
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