Nothing checked off yet

First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check whether you need a permit at all

Work permitsThe employer's partStep · of 7

BlockedOptionalYou are here

·. Employer gets an LMIA, if one is needed

An LMIA is a decision by Employment and Social Development Canada that hiring you won't harm the Canadian labour market.

Waiting on: Job offer from a Canadian employer

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step · of 7 · OptionalClose

Employer gets an LMIA, if one is needed

BlockedOptional

The authority on this stepWho needs a labour market impact assessmentcanada.ca · Employment and Social Development Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

An LMIA is a decision by Employment and Social Development Canada that hiring you won't harm the Canadian labour market. The employer applies for it, not you. Many streams are exempt: trade agreements, intra-company transfers, International Experience Canada and others run under the International Mobility Program instead.

Why it's required: This is the longest and least predictable part of an employer-specific application, and none of it is in your hands. Ask the employer early whether they need one.

Who appliesThe employerTo ESDC, before you can apply for the permit.

Many are exemptNo LMIA neededInternational Mobility Program streams skip the LMIA entirely.

Before this step

BlockedJob offer from a Canadian employer

This is the last step of the pathway.