LMIA for employers
We prepare your LMIA application to ESDC and plan the steps around it, so your hiring follows the program's rules.
- $3,000
- Written service agreement
- Lexova client portal
With Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC #R706303
What it is
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a decision by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that lets an employer hire a foreign worker when no Canadian or permanent resident is available.
We check whether your job is high-wage or low-wage and whether ESDC will process it in your area, plan the recruitment you must do first, and prepare and submit the application as your representative.
Who it's for
- You're a Canadian employer with a position you haven't been able to fill locally.
- You've found a foreign candidate and need to know whether an LMIA is required.
- You're hiring in Alberta and need to know whether your area is on ESDC's refusal-to-process list.
- You've had an LMIA refused and want to understand why.
What you get
- A written service agreement with the scope, the fee and the timeline.
- Your own access to Lexova, the client portal we use, one of the most advanced client portals for immigration files (see how it compares): forms tailored to your case, a personalized document checklist, progress tracking and secure messages, so your file stays accurate and complete and is easy for you and your consultant to follow.
- A check of the wage, the stream (high-wage or low-wage) and the NOC code for the job.
- A recruitment and advertising plan that meets ESDC's rules.
- A complete LMIA application, including the transition plan where one is required.
- Submission to ESDC as your representative, and answers to ESDC's questions until the decision.
What it doesn't include
- Recruitment. We don't find workers or match job seekers with employers.
- The worker's work permit application, which is a separate service.
- ESDC's processing fee for each position.
- No guarantee: ESDC decides every application.
How it works
- Consultation
We look at your situation and confirm that this service fits before you commit to anything.
- Service agreement and file opening
You get a written agreement with the scope, the fee and the timeline. At signing you pay 50% of the fee, the file-opening fee. It covers opening your file, setting up your client portal and administrative onboarding, and it's non-refundable.
- Your Lexova client portal
You work in Lexova, the client portal we use, one of the most advanced client portals for immigration files (see how it compares). You complete forms tailored to your case, upload documents to your personalized checklist, follow your file's progress and exchange messages and documents securely. It keeps your file accurate and complete, and makes tracking and file management easy for you and your consultant.
- Preparation
Once your forms and documents are complete, we review everything and prepare the application with you. For most standard applications this usually takes about 3 business days; complex files take longer.
- Second payment
When the application is ready, we send you the invoice for the remaining 50%.
- Submission
Once it's paid, we submit your application to ESDC as your declared representative.
- Follow-up until the decision
We follow your file, answer requests for documents or information, and keep you informed until a decision is made.
Processing times are set by the government and change often. For current estimates, see IRCC's processing times page.
What to prepare
- Your CRA business number and proof that the business is active.
- The job description, wage, hours and work location.
- Your recruitment so far: ads, dates, platforms and results.
- Recent financial documents, such as T4 summaries or financial statements.
- The candidate's resume and credentials.
Price and payment
| LMIA application | $3,000 |
|---|
The worker's work permit is a separate application: $1,300, plus $300 for each family member.
- These are professional fees only. Government fees and third-party costs, such as biometrics, medical exams, translations, police certificates and courier, are separate.
- Applicable taxes are added to each invoice and shown before you pay.
- The final price can vary with the complexity of the case, urgency, prior refusals and any extra services. It's set in your written service agreement before you pay anything.
- IRCC fee list
Payment schedule
File-opening fee. Covers opening your file, setting up your client portal and administrative onboarding. Non-refundable.
Once all your documents are ready and the application is prepared.
Questions
Who pays the LMIA fees?
The employer. ESDC's processing fee can't be recovered from the worker.
Can I get a low-wage LMIA in Calgary?
For most sectors, not right now. As of October 2026, ESDC refuses to process low-wage LMIAs in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer. Some sectors are exempt; our LMIA page has the details.
Do I need an LMIA for every foreign worker?
No. Many work permits are LMIA-exempt, for example under trade agreements or for intra-company transfers. We check this first.
No one can guarantee an immigration outcome. Decisions are made by IRCC, ESDC, the provinces and Québec.
Start with a consultation
We look at your situation, confirm this service fits and explain the next steps before you sign anything.
Questions about your situation are answered in a consultation. For booking or payment matters only, email contact@anascanada.ca.