How Canada's LMIA process works — and how to apply

This section is built from the ESDC Positive LMIA Employers List: employers approved to hire foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It shows who was approved, for which occupations and how many positions — but, like the UK and unlike the US, Canada does not publish what they pay.

What a positive LMIA is

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document a Canadian employer usually needs before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA means the government agreed the employer can hire from abroad for that role. An employer on this list has been through that process — evidence they hire foreign workers, though not a guarantee they are hiring now.

The route, step by step

• An employer gets a positive LMIA for a specific occupation and number of positions.
• They make you a job offer supported by that LMIA.
• You apply for a work permit using the offer and LMIA.
• Some occupations and streams (e.g. the Global Talent Stream) are faster; some roles may be LMIA-exempt under trade agreements or other programs.

How to use this list

• See who hires from abroad. Browse the employer directory.
• Find employers near you. Browse by province.
• Match your occupation. Employer and province pages show the occupations (NOC) approved and how many positions.

Before you hit apply

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This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. For authoritative rules see canada.ca. A positive LMIA is not a job offer or a wage.