A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a decision by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A positive LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign worker for a specific job is justified because no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available. With it, the worker applies to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an employer-specific work permit.
This page is for employers, with a focus on Alberta.
Alberta in October 2026: low-wage LMIAs in most cities are refused
ESDC refuses to process low-wage LMIA applications for jobs in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where unemployment is 6% or higher. For applications received from 9 October 2026 to 7 January 2027, the list includes:
| Alberta CMA | Unemployment rate used by ESDC | Low-wage LMIAs |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary | 6.4% | Not processed |
| Edmonton | 7.6% | Not processed |
| Lethbridge | 6.0% | Not processed |
| Red Deer | 6.9% | Not processed |
Some sectors are exempt, including primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing homes and some caregiver positions. ESDC updates the list every quarter; the next update is expected on 8 January 2027. Check ESDC's refusal-to-process page before you advertise. Alberta is not part of the 2026–27 rural temporary measures.
High-wage or low-wage?
The stream depends on the wage you offer compared with the provincial threshold (the median wage plus 20%). In Alberta, the threshold is $37.50 an hour for LMIAs received from 17 July 2026. ESDC updates it regularly; see ESDC's median wage page.
High-wage positions (at or above the threshold)
- The employer must meet ESDC's recruitment and wage requirements and explain how the hire affects the Canadian labour market.
Low-wage positions (below the threshold)
- A cap of 10% of the workforce at each work location (20% for some sectors).
- A maximum employment duration of 1 year.
- Longer recruitment: ESDC announced in July 2026 that low-wage positions must be advertised for 8 consecutive weeks, including recruitment aimed at youth. Confirm the current advertising rules with ESDC before you start.
For every LMIA
- A processing fee of $1,000 per position (unless an exemption applies).
- Foreign workers can't be hired as independent contractors.
- Employers must respect the job offer's wages and conditions. ESDC inspects employers, and penalties for non-compliance were doubled in 2026.
Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream is for employers referred by a designated partner (Category A) or hiring for listed in-demand occupations, mainly in technology (Category B). ESDC's service standard is 10 business days, and employers sign a Labour Market Benefits Plan.
What an LMIA does not do
- No Express Entry points. Since 25 March 2025, a job offer, including one backed by an LMIA, no longer adds points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. It can still matter for some programs; see Express Entry.
- Not a work permit. The worker still applies to IRCC, which checks eligibility and admissibility.
- Québec is different. Jobs in Québec need a joint LMIA and Québec acceptance certificate (CAQ) process, and Québec has its own low-wage limits in Montréal and Laval until 31 December 2026. See Québec immigration.
How we can help
Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC, is licensed to represent employers before ESDC. He can:
- check whether your position is high-wage or low-wage and whether ESDC will process it;
- plan your recruitment and advertising to meet ESDC's rules;
- prepare and submit the LMIA application and answer ESDC's questions;
- prepare the worker's work permit application.
What we don't do: we don't recruit or find workers, and we don't match job seekers with employers. ESDC and IRCC make all decisions. Book a consultation, or see our fees.