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$1,000
Employer ESDC fee
18 mo
LMIA validity
2 wks
GTS processing
1 yr
CEC eligibility (TEER 0-3)
VMC verifies the LMIA and prepares your work permit application.
Book your Expert Consultation →An LMIA is a government document that proves your employer could not find a qualified Canadian or permanent resident to fill the role - so they can hire you.
Your employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for an LMIA. ESDC reviews whether the employer genuinely tried to hire a Canadian first - by checking advertising, recruitment efforts, wages, and working conditions.
If ESDC is satisfied, they issue a positive LMIA - a letter confirming the employer may hire a foreign worker for the specific position.
Once your employer has a positive LMIA, they share the LMIA number with you. You then apply to IRCC for a closed work permit tied to that employer, location, and NOC code.
Working in Canada on an LMIA work permit builds Canadian work experience - which earns CRS points through the skilled work experience factor and qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway to permanent residence.
Important distinction: The LMIA belongs to the employer. You cannot apply for an LMIA yourself. You need an employer willing to go through the process on your behalf. VMC helps you find and vet legitimate LMIA employers, and handles the work permit application once a positive LMIA is secured.
An LMIA is not needed for Express Entry job-offer points from 3 November 2026, but it remains a reliable route to PR through Canadian work experience.
Policy update (from 3 November 2026): a job offer in a high-wage occupation earns 50, 70 or 100 CRS points, and no LMIA is needed for those points. IRCC has not yet published the updated CRS grid.
Your employer obtains a positive LMIA from ESDC, then you apply for a closed work permit tied to that employer and position. This authorizes you to work legally in Canada.
After 12 months of full-time work in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, you earn up to 80 CRS points through the Canadian skilled work experience factor in Express Entry.
With 1 year of Canadian experience, you become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) - often the fastest Express Entry pathway, with frequent dedicated draws.
| Years of Canadian Experience | CRS Points (TEER 0/1, no spouse) | CRS Points (TEER 2/3, no spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 40 pts | 32 pts |
| 2 years | 53 pts | 40 pts |
| 3+ years | 80 pts | 70 pts |
CEC advantage: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw scores are typically lower than Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) draws - meaning your 1+ year of LMIA work experience often earns an ITA faster than applying from abroad with no Canadian experience.
The LMIA stream your employer uses determines processing time, conditions, and requirements. Understanding which stream applies to your job offer matters.
Before you commit to any employer's LMIA job offer, VMC verifies the LMIA is legitimate with ESDC. This protects you from fraud and ensures your work permit application will succeed.
Finding an employer willing to go through the LMIA process requires a targeted strategy. These are the most reliable channels.
Fraudsters advertise fake LMIA jobs on social media and WhatsApp, charging workers $5,000-$30,000 for a "positive LMIA." This is illegal - it is a criminal offence for workers to pay for an LMIA. Legitimate employers never ask workers to contribute to LMIA costs. VMC verifies the legitimacy of every LMIA employer before advising clients to proceed.
If you are offered an LMIA job and asked to pay any amount - stop and contact VMC for a verification check.
Once your employer has a positive LMIA, they must provide you with these documents for your work permit application.
Issued by ESDC. Must include the LMIA number, job title, wage, and location.
Must exactly match the LMIA conditions: same wage, duties, hours, and location.
Written confirmation of the wage offered and number of hours per week.
Business registration, CRA number, operating evidence. VMC verifies these.
The work permit application is your responsibility as the worker. Here is the full process from receiving the LMIA to getting your work permit.
Government fees: Work permit application CAD $155 · Biometrics $85/person (if first time or expired) · Open work permit holder fee $100 (if applicable) · Processing times vary by country and occupation - VMC provides current IRCC estimates at consultation.
Getting the LMIA and Express Entry timing right is critical. A misaligned timeline can cost you CRS points or delay your permanent residence.
The most common PR pathway for LMIA workers: obtain work permit → work 12 months in TEER 0-3 → apply through Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in Express Entry. CEC draws are frequent and typically require lower CRS scores than FSW draws.
Note: From 3 November 2026, a job offer in a high-wage occupation earns 50, 70 or 100 CRS points without an LMIA. Earned Canadian work experience also adds CRS points.
CEC Pathway: Working in Canada for 1 year on an LMIA work permit (in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation) also qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in Express Entry - a second, often faster pathway to permanent residence.
Not every work permit requires an LMIA. Understanding which pathway applies to you can save significant time and money.
| Feature | LMIA Work Permit | LMIA-Exempt Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Need ESDC approval? | Yes - positive LMIA required | No - employer uses offer of employment portal |
| Employer advertising? | Yes - minimum 4 weeks Job Bank | No advertising required |
| Government fee | $1,000 per position (employer pays) | $230 employer compliance fee |
| Processing time | 30-60 business days (GTS: ~10 business days) | Varies by stream; often faster |
| CRS points added? | No LMIA needed for Express Entry job-offer points from 3 November 2026 (50, 70 or 100, high-wage occupations only). Work experience earns up to 80 pts. | Same from 3 November 2026: 50, 70 or 100 points in high-wage occupations. |
| Examples | Most standard occupations | CUSMA, ICT, IEC, spousal OWP |
These mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars, delay your immigration, or jeopardize your status in Canada. VMC helps you avoid every one of them.
Still have questions? Our licensed RCICs answer within 24 hours.
Book your Expert ConsultationGTA or anywhere in Canada: temporary status, PR strategy, employer files, or refusal review. We outline the plan before forms multiply.