LMIA-Based Work Permit — Canada

An LMIA-based work permit allows you to work in Canada only after your employer secures a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.

You receive an employer-specific authorization tied to a particular job and employer.

Purpose and administering bodies

The LMIA-based process involves two federal authorities:

Your employer must first obtain a positive LMIA from ESDC.

This assessment confirms that hiring you will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market.

After approval, you apply to IRCC for an employer-specific work permit.

You typically submit Form IMM 1295 and supporting documents as required by IRCC.

Your work permit limits you to:

• The named employer
• The approved position
• The conditions set out in the permit

Some employers may apply under streams such as the Global Talent Stream (GTS), but the requirement for a positive LMIA remains central to this category.

How it protects the Canadian labour market

The LMIA exists to protect Canadian workers.

ESDC evaluates whether hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive impact on the job market.

A positive LMIA confirms that:

• The employer met the required criteria
• Hiring you will not negatively affect Canadian job opportunities

Without this approval, IRCC will not issue your employer-specific work permit.

This structure separates responsibilities.

ESDC assesses labour market impact.

IRCC determines whether you qualify for the actual work permit.

Holding an LMIA-based work permit does not automatically place you into permanent residence programs such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)

Those are separate pathways with their own eligibility rules.

Approval is not guaranteed

Filing an LMIA application does not guarantee that ESDC will approve it.

If ESDC refuses the LMIA, you cannot obtain the related work permit.

Even with a positive LMIA, IRCC still reviews your application independently.

You must:

1. Submit a complete IMM 1295 application

2. Meet IRCC’s admissibility and eligibility requirements

3. Comply with all permit conditions

IRCC may refuse your work permit if you do not meet its criteria.

You should not make plans based solely on an LMIA filing.

Approval depends on both ESDC’s labour market assessment and IRCC’s final decision on your employer-specific work permit.

You must pay government fees when you submit your LMIA-based work permit application.

Expect several months for a decision in most standard cases.

Costs and timelines depend on your category and where you apply.

You need to verify current figures with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before you file.

Application and biometrics fees

When you apply for an employer-specific work permit using Form Form IMM 1295, IRCC charges a processing fee.

As of February 2026, the amounts are:

You pay the work permit fee when you submit your application to IRCC.

Most applicants must also pay the biometrics fee and provide fingerprints and a photo at a designated collection point.

Biometrics are required even if your employer obtained a positive LMIA, including under streams such as the Global Talent Stream (GTS).

The LMIA and the work permit are separate processes, and each carries its own requirements and costs.

If you later apply for permanent residence through programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), different fees will apply.

Check the IRCC fee list before you submit any new application.

Standard processing estimates

As of March 2026, standard processing times for an LMIA-based work permit range from 2 to 5 months.

The exact timeline depends on:

• Your country of residence
• The visa office processing your file
• The work permit category

This estimate applies to typical cases and does not guarantee approval within that period.

Applications under specific streams, including the Global Talent Stream (GTS), may follow different employer-side LMIA timelines, but your work permit processing time still depends on IRCC’s posted estimates for your location.

Times can change without notice based on application volumes and operational capacity.

Where to verify current fees and times

You should confirm all fees and timelines directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before submitting Form IMM 1295.

Processing times are country-specific, and fees may be updated.

IRCC manages work permit applications and publishes current service standards.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) handles admissibility at the port of entry, but it does not set application fees or standard processing times.

An LMIA-based permit ties you to specific job terms.

You must work within the approved role, wage, and employer listed on your documents.

Job details, duties and salary

Your Work Permit (Employer-Specific) limits you to the employer, position, and location approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The LMIA and your permit must match on core terms.

Key details must include:

• Job title
• Main duties and responsibilities
• Offered wage or salary
• Work location

You must perform the duties described in the LMIA.

If your employer changes your role, reduces your salary, or moves you to a different location, the original approval may no longer cover your work.

When you apply for the work permit, you submit Form IMM 1295 and include the LMIA confirmation.

IRCC reviews whether the job terms align with the LMIA decision.

If you want to change employers, you generally need a new LMIA and a new employer-specific work permit before starting the new job.

Wage thresholds and provincial proof

Your employer must show that the wage offered meets the provincial or territorial wage threshold for the position.

The wage level forms part of the LMIA assessment.

You should confirm that your offer includes:

• The exact hourly wage or annual salary
• The province or territory of employment
• Evidence that the wage meets the applicable threshold

The wage must remain consistent with what the LMIA approved.

If your employer lowers your pay below the approved rate, you risk falling out of compliance with your permit conditions.

Keep copies of your job offer, LMIA confirmation, and pay records.

IRCC assesses compliance with the approved wage when reviewing future applications, including permanent residence pathways such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker).

Choosing the right LMIA stream

Your employer must select the correct LMIA stream before you apply for a work permit. The stream affects how Employment and Social Development Canada reviews the position.

Common LMIA-related pathways include:

The LMIA stream needs to fit your long-term plan. For example, if you want to apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) later, your job duties and wage must support skilled work experience that meets program requirements.

Choosing the wrong stream can delay your work permit or affect permanent residence options.

You complete two separate but connected processes: the employer secures a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for your employer-specific work permit. Each track has its own forms, documents, and submission system.

Employer LMIA application

Your employer must apply for an LMIA before you can request a Work Permit (Employer-Specific). The LMIA confirms the job offer and supports your permit application.

Employers submit the LMIA through LMIA Online. They must create and use a Job Bank account to access and manage the application.

Key employer actions include:

• Creating a Job Bank account
• Completing the LMIA application in LMIA Online
• Uploading all required supporting documents
• Submitting the application electronically

If the position falls under the Global Talent Stream (GTS), the employer still follows the LMIA process, but under the specific GTS category requirements.

You can't file your work permit without the LMIA outcome. Confirm that your employer has submitted the LMIA properly before you prepare your application.

Worker work-permit application

Once the LMIA process moves forward, you submit your work permit application to IRCC. If you apply from outside Canada, you must complete Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (Form IMM 1295).

Each person who needs a work permit must complete their own IMM 1295 form.

1. Download the current IMM 1295 and its guide from IRCC.

2. Review the instructions for your eligibility category.

3. Complete every required field accurately.

4. Sign and submit the form with supporting documents to IRCC.

Your application must match the LMIA details, including the employer name and position. IRCC assesses your eligibility for the employer-specific work permit.

If you later pursue permanent residence through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or another pathway, this work permit may support your future profile, but it does not replace those programs.

Key steps before you file

You reduce delays when you prepare both tracks carefully.

Before submitting anything:

• Confirm the employer is using the correct LMIA stream (including GTS if applicable).
• Ensure all LMIA information matches your job offer.
• Download the latest IMM 1295 from IRCC.
• Review the instruction guide for your category.
• Gather all required evidence before submission.

Do not rely on outdated forms or incomplete documentation. IRCC processes the work permit based on what you submit, and missing information can slow or interrupt your application.

You must apply to extend your employer-specific work permit before it expires. IRCC charges a set fee per person, and family applications follow specific limits.

Fees for renewals and group limits

IRCC charges CA$155 per person for a work permit extension, including renewals of an employer-specific work permit. This fee applies to each applicant.

If your family applies together, a maximum total of CA$500 applies when:

• All family members apply at the same time
• All applications are submitted in the same place
• Your children meet the definition of dependent children

You submit your extension application to IRCC. If you apply from outside Canada, you use Form IMM 1295 as part of your work permit application package.

If you hold a permit under the Global Talent Stream (GTS) or another LMIA-based category, the same extension fee applies. The fee structure does not change based on your occupation or stream.

When to start the renewal process

You must file your extension application before your current permit expires. IRCC will not extend a permit that has already lapsed.

Start preparing early by:

1. Confirming that your employer still supports your continued employment under the same LMIA conditions.

2. Checking your current permit’s expiry date.

3. Reviewing IRCC’s current forms and document checklist.

If you plan to transition to permanent residence through programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), make sure your work authorization remains valid during processing. A pending permanent residence application does not automatically extend your work permit.

Submit your extension to IRCC with the required form and fee. Don’t wait until the last minute, as processing times can vary. Review IRCC’s processing times and instructions before you apply.

Most LMIA work permit problems arise from missing approvals, incomplete forms, or outdated documents. You can prevent many refusals and delays by submitting a complete and accurate package to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the first time.

Top reasons for refusal

IRCC will not approve a Work Permit (Employer-Specific) if the employer fails to secure a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring you. Submitting a work permit application without that approval leads to refusal.

Officers also refuse cases when the LMIA application itself contains errors. An incorrectly completed form can result in the LMIA being refused or not processed, which directly affects your work permit.

Insufficient job details create another problem. If the employer does not provide:

• A clear job description
• Specific employment terms
• A signed employment contract

IRCC may determine that the position lacks required detail. That gap can stop both standard LMIA applications and streams such as the Global Talent Stream (GTS).

A refused work permit can disrupt your overall immigration timeline if you later plan to apply through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

How small mistakes cause delays

Minor errors often trigger major delays. Incomplete or inconsistent information forces IRCC to pause processing.

You create risk when you:

1. Leave fields blank on Form IMM 1295

2. Enter inconsistent job titles or employment terms

3. Submit documents that do not match the LMIA details

Even one missing answer can result in the application being returned. That restarts your timeline and may affect your job start date.

Small discrepancies between the LMIA approval and your work permit application also slow review. Officers compare the documents closely.

If duties, wages, or conditions do not align, IRCC may request clarification or refuse the application.

Accuracy matters more than volume. A complete and consistent file moves faster than a rushed submission.

Avoiding expired forms and omissions

Using an outdated form version is a common and avoidable mistake. IRCC updates forms such as IMM 1295, and older editions may not be accepted.

Before you submit, confirm that:

• Every form is the current version
• All required signatures appear
• The employment contract is included
• Every required document listed in the instructions is attached

Omitting the employment contract can result in refusal or return. IRCC expects clear evidence of agreed employment terms.

You should review each page line by line before submission. A final verification against the official IRCC document checklist reduces the risk of return, delay, or refusal.

Your processing time depends on when IRCC receives your complete application and the category you apply under. IRCC measures time from receipt of a full file to a final decision, not from the day you start preparing forms such as Form IMM 1295.

Expect different timelines based on location, volume, and whether your case requires extra review.

How IRCC calculates processing time

IRCC calculates processing time from the date it receives your complete application to the date it makes a decision. If you submit an incomplete Employer-Specific Work Permit application, the clock does not start until you provide all required documents.

IRCC publishes estimated processing times based on:

• The month and year you applied
• The number of applications in that category
• Annual immigration levels and intake limits

These are estimates, not guarantees.

If application volumes exceed annual targets, processing may slow. This affects temporary permits as well as permanent residence programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker).

Country-, province- and category-specific notes

Processing times vary depending on where you apply from and the type of work permit you request.

If you apply from outside Canada or the United States, add 3 to 4 months for mailing and document transit time. This is separate from IRCC’s published processing estimate.

Certain regions may not have reliable processing estimates. IRCC has stated that it cannot provide accurate timelines in some situations due to evolving regional conditions.

Your work permit category also matters:

• Work Permit (Employer-Specific) applications follow standard processing estimates.
• Global Talent Stream (GTS) cases may follow different service standards, but you must verify current timelines directly with IRCC.

Always select the correct country and permit type when checking processing times, as each combination produces a different estimate.

Mailing time, non-routine reviews, and exceptions

If you live outside Canada and the United States, you must factor in 3 to 4 additional months for mailing time. This applies even if IRCC’s online tool shows a shorter processing estimate.

IRCC may also take longer to finalize a non-routine application. A file becomes non-routine if it requires:

• Additional background checks
• Further document verification
• Review beyond standard processing steps

In these cases, IRCC does not commit to the standard estimate.

Processing times can also change if more people apply than Canada plans to admit in a given year. When intake exceeds annual targets, delays increase across categories.

Submit a complete and accurate application, including all required forms such as IMM 1295, to avoid preventable delays.