Labour Market Impact Assessment (commonly known as LMIA) is the report, employers need to obtain from ESDC (Employment and Social Development, Canada) before they begin the work permit application process for a foreign worker. The report needs to be positive or neutral. There are many different types of LMIA applications; some of which support a particular industry. The most popular are high wage and low wage applications which are decided based on the per hour wage rate’ the foreign worker will receive. For both types of LMIA applications- low wage and high wage- there are multiple requirements that need to be fulfilled.

For instance, conditions of work, median wage rates in the local district of work place, the minimum hours of work and advertisement requirements. The official fee for LMIA is $1,000, which is waived if it is supporting a Permanent Resident application. A few responsibilities such as work environment, maintenance and preservation of the foreign worker’s record for 6 years, and transition plan come with the hiring of the foreign worker.