LMIA Canada - Types - Facts - implied Status
LMIA Canada: Types, Key Facts & Maintained Status
An LMIA is an employer-side labour-market assessment. It is not a visa, work permit, immigration status or permanent residence approval.
Watch: LMIA Canada — overview
Common LMIA Streams
High-Wage
Positions paid at or above the current provincial/territorial wage threshold.
Low-Wage
Positions paid below the threshold and subject to additional caps and restrictions.
Permanent Residence Support
For eligible skilled job offers supporting certain economic immigration applications.
Global Talent Stream
For qualifying innovative employers or selected in-demand highly skilled occupations.
Primary Agriculture
For qualifying agricultural positions and activities under the TFWP.
Other Specialized Streams
Caregivers, academics, Quebec hiring and other specific TFWP processes may have separate requirements.
What a Positive LMIA Means
- ESDC found that hiring the foreign worker is expected to have a positive or neutral labour-market impact.
- The employer can use the LMIA for its approved purpose and validity period.
- The worker still needs a separate IRCC approval where a work permit is required.
What It Does NOT Mean
- It does not guarantee a work permit.
- It does not authorize the worker to start working by itself.
- It does not guarantee permanent residence.
- It does not automatically give Express Entry CRS job-offer points.
Maintained Status — Not “Implied Status”
If a temporary resident submits an eligible application to extend or change their status before their current status expires, they may be legally allowed to remain in Canada while IRCC processes the application. For eligible work-permit extensions, the person may also be allowed to continue working under the applicable existing conditions.
Waiting for an LMIA by itself does not create maintained status. Maintained status comes from a qualifying immigration application submitted to IRCC before temporary resident status expires. Workers should not continue working solely because an employer has an LMIA application in process.
Visit us in British Columbia
Our Locations
Meet our team in Surrey or Kamloops. Choose the office most convenient for you.
