Work & Study
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) lets an employer hire a foreign worker after showing no qualified Canadian or permanent resident was available. Recruitment records, wages and business legitimacy are all reviewed.
Employers in the Toronto census metropolitan area — which includes Brampton and Mississauga — currently cannot get most low-wage LMIAs processed, so choosing the right stream is essential.
Generally not for most occupations. ESDC refuses to process low-wage LMIAs in CMAs with unemployment of 6% or higher, and the Toronto CMA is on the list until at least January 7, 2027, with exemptions for some sectors.
From November 3, 2026, IRCC says an LMIA is no longer needed for a qualifying job offer to earn the new Express Entry points or meet FSW and FST requirements.
Low-wage LMIAs are refused in the Toronto CMA (including Brampton) until at least January 2027. Which jobs are exempt, and what options GTA employers still have.
Read · 5 minThe difference between employer-specific (LMIA) and open work permits, who qualifies for each, and what Canadian employers need to know about the LMIA process.
Read · 6 minIRCC is changing CRS scoring on November 3, 2026: extra points for Canadian work experience and high-wage job offers, and no LMIA needed for a qualifying offer. What it means for you.
Read · 6 minThis page is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
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