LMIA stands for “Labour Market Impact Assessment” and was previously known as an LMO or “Labour Market Opinion.” An LMIA is a document that some employers may need to obtain to hire a foreign worker. The LMIA is an assessment done by the government of Canada to determine that hiring the foreign worker will ultimately benefit the Canadian economy and not displace a Canadian worker. A positive LMIA or approved LMIA will show that there is no Canadian worker available to do that job and that there is a need for the foreign worker to do the job. Once a positive LMIA is issued for a foreign worker, a work permit can be issued for the duration of the LMIA. To determine if you need an LMIA for the position you are hiring for, or wish to work in, please visit the Service Canada website link here.
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If you are an employer and looking to hire a foreign worker you may need to get an LMIA. There are various eligibility requirements for obtaining an LMIA including a duration of time that the employer must prove the job was advertised for, as well as being incorporated for a duration of time. This is for an employer issued LMIA. There is another type of LMIA, an Owner/Operator LMIA which can be issued to a majority shareholder with a controlling stake in a corporation. Obtaining an owner/operator LMIA typically involves a business and transition plan to prove that the LMIA issued will create at least full-time job for a PR or Canadian over the duration of the LMIA. The owner/operator LMIA stream is of particular interest for self-employed foreign workers and if executed correctly can reach a positive immigration result for permanent residency. For more information on the owner/operator LMIA stream and a pathway to permanent residency, please visit our post on owner/operator LMIA’s.
At CIVS we are trained as registered immigration consultants to support you in your application for an LMIA for a temporary foreign worker. Book your free consultation below and we will discuss with you the right avenues on how to proceed forward with hiring a foreign worker successfully on a positive LMIA.
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