LMIA processing time
Updated August 22, 2026

LMIA Processing Time: 2-6 Months

Processing varies by stream - Global Talent Stream processes in just 2 weeks

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Current Time

2-6 months (varies by stream)

Last Updated

August 22, 2026

Trend

Times are stable

Is your file past the posted time?

IRCC's posted time is an estimate, not a deadline. If yours has run past it, there are still steps you can take, from an IRCC web form to a formal follow-up. Start with a free assessment of your options, or book a 30-minute consult with a licensed RCIC (CA$100, credited to your retainer if you sign within 30 days).

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Current Figures

LMIA Processing Time by Stream

Published by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), average for LMIAs processed in August 2026.

StreamAverage processing time
Global Talent Stream10 business days
High-wage stream90 business days
Low-wage stream82 business days
Agricultural stream25 business days
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program6 business days
Permanent resident stream156 business days

What the processing time includes

  • ESDC's figure is the average number of business days Service Canada took last month to decide an LMIA once it had all the required information.
  • The clock starts when the employer submits a complete application through LMIA Online (every required document, the employer's signatures and the fee where one applies) and ends with Service Canada's decision letter.
  • The minimum job advertising, 14 days to 8 weeks depending on the stream, happens before you apply and is not counted.
  • A positive LMIA is not a work permit. The worker then applies to IRCC, which has its own processing time.

What to do if yours is late

  1. Compare your wait with last month's average for your stream. ESDC says the figures can change a lot from month to month with application volume.
  2. Check that the file is complete. Service Canada does not process incomplete applications.
  3. The employer follows up, not the worker. ESDC lists its Employer Contact Centre for help with an LMIA application.

If the wait is putting your status, a job offer or travel plans at risk, check your options before you act.

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Sources: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Processing Time Overview

About LMIA Processing

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times vary significantly depending on the stream and position. Standard high-wage positions (above provincial median wage) typically take 3-4 months, while low-wage positions take 4-6 months due to additional scrutiny and requirements. The Global Talent Stream (GTS) offers expedited processing of approximately 10-15 business days for qualifying high-skilled positions in tech and other in-demand sectors, though employers must meet specific criteria and commit to creating benefits for Canada.

LMIA is an assessment by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market and that no qualified Canadians are available for the position. Employers must demonstrate recruitment efforts (typically 4 weeks of advertising), provide justification for hiring a foreign worker, and meet specific requirements based on the wage level and stream. Once a positive LMIA is issued, the foreign worker can apply for their work permit.

Processing times can be significantly longer if the application is incomplete, if ESDC requires additional information about recruitment efforts or business legitimacy, or if there are concerns about the position's genuineness. The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and specific agricultural streams have separate timelines, typically processing within 2-3 months during peak seasons. High-volume periods (spring and summer) can lead to longer processing times across all LMIA streams.

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Historical Data

Processing Time Trends

Track how processing times have changed over recent months

July 2026

high-wage ~79 / low-wage ~71 business days; GTS ~2 wk

January 2026

2-6 months

Q4 2025

2-6 months

Q3 2025 (peak)

3-7 months

Q2 2025 (peak)

3-7 months

Q1 2025

2-5 months

2024 Average

3-8 months

Processing Factors

What Affects Processing Time?

Understanding these factors can help you prepare a stronger application

LMIA stream (Global Talent Stream fastest at 2 weeks, regular streams 3-6 months)

Wage level (high-wage vs low-wage positions have different requirements)

Completeness of recruitment documentation and advertising proof

Business legitimacy verification and employer compliance history

Position justification and labor market conditions in the region

Time of year (spring/summer peak seasons have longer waits)

Expert Tips

How to Avoid Processing Delays

Follow these best practices to keep your application moving smoothly

Consider Global Talent Stream if position qualifies for 2-week processing

Conduct thorough recruitment efforts before applying (minimum 4 weeks advertising)

Submit detailed recruitment report with detailed candidate assessment

Ensure job offer meets prevailing wage rates for the region and occupation

Provide detailed business documentation proving legitimacy and ability to pay wages

For low-wage positions, ensure transition plan and employee housing meet requirements

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about LMIA processing times

Who owns 90 percent of Canada?
About 89 percent of Canada's land area is Crown land, meaning it is held by federal or provincial governments on behalf of the Crown. Roughly 41 percent is provincial Crown land and 48 percent is federal Crown land, including most of the territories. Only about 11 percent is privately owned. Indigenous reserves and treaty lands sit inside the broader Crown land framework with distinct legal regimes. This relates to immigration only because work and study often happen on private land. Go Far Global focuses on immigration files and does not advise on land law.
How long will it take to approve LMIA?
Service Canada processes LMIA applications in 3 to 7 months on average in 2026. High-wage stream files run 8 to 12 weeks while low-wage stream files now run 12 to 24 weeks because of stricter limits introduced in late 2024. Global Talent Stream LMIAs continue at 10 business days for eligible occupations. Agricultural and primary caregiver streams run 8 to 16 weeks. Files with advertising shortcomings, transition plan gaps, or wage issues fail or stretch beyond service standards. Go Far Global prepares LMIA files with the documents Service Canada needs.
What is the new rule for LMIA in Canada?
Since September 2024, Service Canada caps low-wage stream LMIAs at 10 percent of the workforce in most regions, dropping from 20 to 30 percent. LMIAs in census metropolitan areas with unemployment above 6 percent are refused outright in many sectors. Wage rates rose by 20 percent above provincial median for high-wage stream applications. Recruitment requirements expanded to 4 weeks of advertising on Job Bank and 2 other platforms. The closed work permit pathway is under review. Go Far Global tracks rule changes and adjusts files to current requirements.
Can LMIA be rejected?
Yes. Service Canada refuses LMIAs when employers fail recruitment requirements, offer wages below median, miss documents, run businesses under compliance review, or apply in capped regions. The 2024 changes pushed refusal rates higher in low-wage retail and food service. Refusals also follow incomplete transition plans, mismatched job duties, or weak Canadian labour market evidence. Some employers face employer-specific bans for non-compliance findings from past reviews. Refusal does not stop reapplication after fixing the documented gaps. Go Far Global reviews business eligibility and recruitment compliance before any LMIA goes out.
How do I know my LMIA is approved?
Service Canada sends an approval letter to the employer, called a Confirmation of LMIA, listing the position, wage, NOC code, validity period, and conditions. The worker receives a copy of the LMIA number used to apply for a work permit. IRCC processes the work permit application separately. If LMIA processing takes longer than expected, employers can call the Service Canada employer contact line referenced in the application acknowledgement. Approved LMIAs are valid for 6 to 12 months for work permit applications. Go Far Global monitors LMIA status and follows up with Service Canada when needed.
Can I get PR if I have LMIA?
Yes, though not through CRS points: IRCC stopped awarding Express Entry points for job offers on March 25, 2025. A valid job offer can still count toward eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs, and an LMIA-supported offer supports several PNP streams that prefer or require Canadian work experience. Most LMIA holders move toward PR through Express Entry under Canadian Experience Class after 1 year of skilled work, or through provincial Employer Job Offer streams. Some LMIAs also support direct PR applications. Each PNP defines its own LMIA requirements. PR processing under Express Entry runs 6 to 8 months federally. Go Far Global plans LMIA work permits as a step toward PR.
How long is an LMIA valid for?
An approved LMIA is valid for 6 months to 12 months in 2026 for the worker to apply for a work permit. The employer cannot extend the LMIA itself. If the worker does not apply within the validity window, the employer must restart the LMIA process. Once a work permit is issued, the permit duration is set separately and depends on the LMIA stream and IRCC discretion. Most work permits run 1 to 2 years and are extendable. Go Far Global times work permit applications inside the LMIA validity period.
What jobs are in high demand in Canada?
Canada's 2026 in-demand jobs cluster in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, transport, and education. Top occupations are registered nurses, personal support workers, software developers, electricians, welders, long-haul truck drivers, child care workers, mechanical engineers, accountants, and physicians. Provincial demand lists vary, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba pushing trades and Ontario favouring tech. Express Entry's 2026 category-based rounds have mostly targeted French-language proficiency and healthcare, with smaller rounds for trades, transport, and senior managers and physicians with Canadian work experience. Each province publishes its own in-demand occupation lists. Go Far Global maps client work history to current in-demand categories before pursuing PR options.

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Related Programs

Other Processing Times

Check processing times for related immigration programs

Express Entry

About 6 months / About 7 months

Current processing time

Study Permit

2-17 weeks (varies by country)

Current processing time

Visitor Visa

18-109 days for most countries (some offices longer)

Current processing time

View All Processing Times

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.