Question 1

Who owns 90 percent of Canada?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

How long will it take to approve LMIA?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

What is the new rule for LMIA in Canada?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Can LMIA be rejected?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How do I know my LMIA is approved?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Can I get PR if I have LMIA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An LMIA-supported job offer adds 50 or 200 CRS points in Express Entry and 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.

Question 7

How long is an LMIA valid for?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What jobs are in high demand in Canada?

Accepted Answer

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 category-based draws in 2026 prioritize healthcare, trades, agriculture, transport, and STEM. 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.

LMIA Processing Time: 2-6 Months

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