Work Visa (LMIA)

A Canada Work Permit, also known as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Work Permit, is a document issued by the Canadian government that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for a specified employer. The LMIA is a crucial component of the work permit application process, and it is an assessment conducted by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market.

Key points about the Canada Work Permit (LMIA):

• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA Before an employer can hire a foreign worker, they generally need to apply for an LMIA from ESDC. The purpose of the LMIA is to demonstrate that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill a particular job and that no qualified Canadian worker is available to do the job.

• Job Offer: To apply for a work permit, the foreign worker must have a job offer from a Canadian employer. The job offer is usually accompanied by a positive LMIA, which indicates that the employer has made efforts to hire a Canadian worker but was unable to find one with the required qualifications.

• Duration of Work Permit: The duration of a work permit can vary depending on the specific circumstances, the job offer, and the LMIA. Work permits are generally issued for a specific period, and they may be extended or renewed under certain conditions.

• Spousal Work Permit: In many cases, spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers in Canada may also be eligible to apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.

• Changing Employers: If a foreign worker with an LMIA Work Permit wants to change employers, they typically need to obtain a new LMIA for the new job, unless they are exempt from the LMIA requirement.