If you are a Canadian business looking to hire a foreign national worker, the candidate needs to provide a positive labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). If you want to live and work in Canada, another great option is to apply for a work permit through LMIA. This program allows foreign nationals to fill in labour shortage gaps and work for a Canadian employer through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
If a foreign national receives a job offer through a Temporary Foreign Worker Program or through an economic immigration program, employers will require a LMIA form Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before the job can be offered to the foreign candidate.
It is the Canadian employers’ responsibility to apply for a LMIA and pay for the application fee to ESDC.Requirements include:
- A valid job offer must be present, a position that cannot be filled be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Employer must comply with all conditions imposed by ESDC;
- Employer must be prepared to answer questions about the recruitment process; and
- Foreign worker must provide proof that they are qualified for the position being offered