What is Labour Market Impact Assessment Application (LMIA)?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment Application is a verification process. An employer provides the required information to Services Canada, which is part of the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Service Canada takes the information and assesses if the employment of a foreign worker will have or will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market.
Labour Market Impact Assessment Application requires information from the employer and from the foreign worker to make that assessment. There are numerous factors that Service Canada takes into consideration when making their assessment. It is important that employers follow all the necessary steps and submit all the required documentation.
Most work permits issued to temporary immigrants workers require a Labour Market Impact Assessment Application (LMIA). It was formerly called Labour Market Opinion (LMO).
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
The ESDC, as a Federal Department of Canada, develops, manages, and delivers social programs and services at a Federal level. Service Canada Centre are part of this Federal institution.
Requirements for the Labour Market Impact Assessment Application
The employer must do the following:
- On the LMIA Application form (EMP5593), employers must provide the name of the foreign national they wish to hire.
- Complete Schedule D – Skilled trades job offer – Employer #2 (EMP5595) (if applicable).
- Provide signed documentation (of the employer and foreign worker) of the job offer.
- Provide proof the business is legitimate.
- Provide proof of advertisement (documentation that shows where, when and for how long the position was advertised).
Employers are to send all required documentation to a Service Canada Centre, who are responsible for processing skilled workers applications.
Benefits of the Labour Market Impact Assessment Application (LMIA)
- Provides a foreign worker the opportunity to work in Canada on a temporary work permit.
- Depending on the information provided by the employer and the foreign worker, Express Entry can accelerate the processing time.
Restrictions of the Labour Market Impact Assessment Application (LMIA)
There is no guarantee Service Canada will accept the LMIA application from the employer and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may reject the foreign worker’s application for a temporary work permit.
Exemptions to the Labour Market Impact Assessment Application
- The LMIA processing fee does not apply to employers choosing only to support a foreign national’s application for a permanent resident visa.
- This falls under Skilled Immigrants for Express Entry. In most cases, an employer will need to provide information for a Labour Market Impact Assessment application (LMIA), but some cases, the employer does not need an LMIA if the job that is offered falls under certain conditions or the job is one that is exempt under the LMIA.
What can Firebird Consultants do for your application to the Labour Market Impact Assessment?
Firebird Consultants will help you with the initial assessment, application preparation and correspondence on your behalf with the federal and/or provincial government until the final decision is made on your application through the Labour Market Impact Assessment.
If you are looking for a Russian speaking immigration consultant in Vernon, Kelowna, Okanagan, or in Canada to provide immigration support – please contact us for a free assessment.