Cascadia Immigration Services Ltd. and the LMIA Process

Cascadia Immigration Services Ltd. assists employers in submitting Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour shortages when no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available.

Steps to Apply for an LMIA

1. Determine the Need for an LMIA
   • Employers must first assess whether their hiring situation requires an LMIA. Most employers need an LMIA unless the foreign worker is exempt under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
   • To check for possible exemptions, employers can review the LMIA exemption codes or contact the International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU) if the worker is from a visa-exempt country.
2. Identify the Type of LMIA Required
   • High-Wage Positions: If the wage offered is at or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage.
   • Low-Wage Positions: If the wage offered is below the median hourly wage.
3. Prepare the LMIA Application
   • For High-Wage Positions, the application must include:
     • LMIA Application Form for High-Wage Positions (EMP5626)
     • Proof of business legitimacy
     • Proof of recruitment efforts
   • For Low-Wage Positions, the application must include:
     • LMIA Application Form for Low-Wage Positions (EMP5627)
     • Proof of business legitimacy
     • Proof of recruitment efforts
     • A signed employment contract
   • The employer must pay a $1,000 processing fee per position, which is non-refundable even if the LMIA is denied.
4. Submit the Application to Service Canada
   • The completed application and supporting documents must be submitted to the appropriate Service Canada Processing Centre.
   • LMIA applications can be submitted up to six months before the foreign worker’s start date.
5. Receive LMIA Decision
   • A positive LMIA means the employer can hire a temporary foreign worker, proving no Canadian or permanent resident is available for the job.
   • A negative LMIA means the job must be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
6. Next Steps After a Positive LMIA
   • Provide the foreign worker with:
     • A copy of the LMIA confirmation letter
     • Annex A of the LMIA letter
     • A signed employment contract
   • The foreign worker can then apply for:
     • A work permit using the LMIA letter and employment contract
     • Permanent residence, if applicable
7. Employer Responsibilities
   • Employers must retain all LMIA-related documents for at least six years from the worker’s first day of employment.
   • The Government of Canada may audit these documents to ensure compliance with TFWP regulations.

Cascadia Immigration Services Ltd.’ Role

Cascadia Immigration Services specializes in assisting employers with the LMIA application process by ensuring proper documentation and compliance with government requirements. However, Cascadia Immigration Services Ltd. does not provide recruitment services—it is the employer’s responsibility to find and select a foreign worker before applying for an LMIA.

As of November 8, 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) increased the wage thresholds used to determine the application stream for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) by 20%. This adjustment affects the classification of positions as high-wage or low-wage across various provinces and territories. ​canada.ca

Here are the updated wage thresholds by province and territory:​

For expert assistance with your LMIA application, contact Cascadia Immigration Services today!