The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. It is used to determine if a Canadian employer needs to hire a foreign worker for a specific job because no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the position.

The LMIA process works as follows:

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Canadian employer applies for LMIA: The Canadian employer applies for an LMIA by submitting a job offer and demonstrating that they have tried to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position.  ESDC assesses the impact on the labour market: ESDC assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker for the specific job on the Canadian labour market and considers factors such as the availability of Canadian workers, the wages offered for the job, and the working conditions.

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LMIA is issued: If the LMIA is approved, the Canadian employer is issued a positive LMIA, which confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker for the specific job and that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.

Foreign worker applies for a work permit: The foreign worker can then apply for a work permit, using the positive LMIA as part of their application.

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The LMIA process is a crucial step in the process of hiring a foreign worker in Canada, as it helps to ensure that foreign workers are only brought to Canada when there is a genuine need and that the Canadian labour market is not negatively impacted.

Note: Some workers, such as intra-company transferees or individuals with a job offer in an occupation listed as exempt on the LMIA Exemption List, may not require an LMIA to work in Canada.