Role of Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment(LMIA)

Are you searching for additional information about the LMIA’s role in the Express Entry application?

Well, nearly all Canadian work permits require LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), formerly known as (LMO) Labour Market Opinion.

What is LMIA?

LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is Canada’s employer rating process. Before hiring foreign workers, employers are required to file the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) applications. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada assesses them. ESDC ensures that the employment of foreign workers will not have any negative impact on the Canadian labour market. ESDC provides a valid LMIA after reviewing and verifying all of the information. The validity of this positive LMIA is 6 months from the date of issuance.

How to submit LMIA?

It is the employer’s responsibility to apply for the LMIA. Employers must give a range of information regarding the position for which they wish to hire a foreign worker, such as the number of Canadian applicants who applied, the number of Canadian employees who were interviewed, and a comprehensive explanation of why no Canadian workers were hired.

Why is it important to have a positive LMIA?

A positive LMIA indicates that a foreign worker is required to fill a specific position and that no Canadians are available for the post. Moreover, in their Express Entry, applicants who submit a job offer along with a positive LMIA have a higher chance of getting an (ITA) invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Positive LMIA, on the other hand, does not enable you to change jobs or employers right after a work permit or to relocate to a different part of Canada.

LMIA processing time 

LMIA processing time varies depending on the application. Some applications are handled in a matter of weeks, while others might take months. ESDC processes LMIA applications that are often in high demand or if the applicant’s length of working time is short. These applications are processed in 10 business days.

Point distribution for LMIA under NOC Express Entry 

• Applicants who receive LMIA employment as senior manager, under the description code (NOC 00), will obtain 200 points in CRS.
• Applicants who receive LMIA employment in occupations mentioned in the NOC code (0, A and B) will receive 50 points in CRS.
• Applicants who are presently working in Canada on temporary work permits with the LMIA code and have worked in management skill jobs for at least one year will receive 200 points in the CRS.
• Applicants who have amassed at least 1 year of work experience under NOC code: Skill trade and are presently working in Canada with a particular work permit supported by LMIA will earn 50 points in the CRS.

Can LMIA be transferred?

If you have an employer-specific work permit and you want to change the job or employers, you must apply for new work from inside Canada. Candidates for Express Entry who already have an LMIA from another immigration program will not need to apply for one again. For example, if a person obtained their LMIA through the caregiver program, they do not need to apply through the Express Entry program. Provided:

• The applicant is employed in Canada on a temporary basis.
• The applicant is employed by the company that provided an LMIA in support of his or her temporary work permit application.
• The employer now wants to recruit the candidate on a permanent basis.

What types of Job offers are considered valid under Express Entry?

A job is considered under Express Entry FSWP and CEC, if:

• It’s a full-time position, not a seasonal one.
• It is for a minimum of one year.
• It is a skilled job listed under NOC (National Occupational Classification.)

Skill 0

Skill A

Skill B

• It is a written formal job application and includes details like your pay and deductions, job role, conditions of employment, and working hours.

A job is considered under Express Entry FSTP, if:

• It’s a full-time position, not a seasonal one.
• It is for a minimum of one year.
• Wages and working conditions are similar to those provided to Canadians in the same occupation.
• It is a skilled job listed under NOC (National Occupational Classification) skill level B.
• It is a written formal job application and includes details like your pay and deductions, job role, conditions of employment, and working hours.

Above all, the job offer should be supported by the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). If you obtain a positive LMIA, your employer is required to provide you with a copy of your written employment letter.

The benefit of having a job offer is that it gives you additional points in the Express Entry CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System). Add your LMIA number to your Express Entry profile to indicate that you have a legitimate employment offer.