What is an LMIA and when do I need one for a Canadian work permit?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada confirming that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market.

Many employer-specific work permits require the employer to obtain a positive LMIA before you can apply. The LMIA process verifies there is a genuine need and, often, that efforts were made to hire locally.

Not every work permit needs an LMIA. LMIA-exempt streams exist under international agreements, intra-company transfers, and other public-policy categories, where IRCC or CBSA reviews different requirements instead.