WHAT IS LABOUR MARKET IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LMIA)?

Formerly known as Labour Market Opinion (LMO), Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. An employer hiring a foreign worker will apply for an LMIA which will render either positive or negative results. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

There are three types of LMIA:

1. Regular LMIA is an LMIA that is used to support an application for a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Once an employer gets a Regular LMIA, the foreign worker whose name appears on the LMIA can apply for a work permit.
2. LMIA for Express Entry is an LMIA that is used to support an application for Permanent Residence in Canada under one of the programs operating under Express Entry. Once an employer gets an LMIA Express Entry, the foreign worker whose name appears on the LMIA will be awarded 600 CRS points on Express Entry, enough for the applicant to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence in Canada.
3. Dual LMIAis an LMIA that is used to support both a work permit application and Express Entry application. Once an employer obtains a dual LMIA, the foreign worker whose name appears on the LMIA can apply for a work permit and will be awarded 600 CRS points on Express Entry, enough for the applicant to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence in Canada.

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