Canada's new Workforce Solutions Road Map makes changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) that address Canadian employers' critical labour shortages. Effective April 4, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made changes to LMIAs and extended the length of validity for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs):
- LMIAs will be valid for 18 months, an increase from 9 months. (Prior to COVID-19, LMIA’s were valid for 6 months).
The changes to LMIAs are intended to allow employers sufficient time to hire needed foreign workers. In addition, Service Canada has implemented a series of measures to increase capacity and expedite the processing of LMIA applications, including increasing staffing resources in all regions, including Quebec.
To reduce LMIA processing time, employers are encouraged to submit their applications online.
Global Talent Stream
The Workforce Solutions Road Map also made changes to Canada's Global Talent Stream:
- The maximum duration of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers is extended from two years to three years. This extension will help workers access pathways to qualify for permanent residency, enabling them to contribute to our workforce for the long-term.
LMIAs
Work Permits are required for foreign nationals who want to work during their time living in Canada. Issued by IRCC, a work permit explains:
- the type of work the individual named can perform
- the employer(s) they can provide labour for
- where they are going to work
- how long they are given permission to work
In addition, most employers need to get an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job, and it will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job.
LMIA Processing Times
Canada is experiencing a high demand for LMIAs, and longer processing times. Here are the latest LMIA processing times available:
Average Labour Market Impact Assessment processing times for April 2022:
| Application type | Average processing time |
|---|---|
| Global Talent Stream | 12 business days |
| Agricultural stream | 28 business days |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 19 business days |
| Permanent residence stream | 35 business days |
| In-home caregivers | 25 business days |
| High-wage stream | 48 business days |
| Low-wage stream | 48 business days |
Do You Need Assistance With Your LMIA or About Changes to the Global Talent Stream?
If you have questions or need assistance with the changes to LMIAs and the Global Talent Stream, Ackah Business Immigration Law helps employers and individuals with managing Labour Market Impact Assessments. Ackah Law guides you through the immigration journey to Canada. An experienced immigration lawyer can save you time and stress - and prevent costly mistakes and missed deadlines. With 50+ years of immigration experience, our immigration legal team can identify and resolve potential problems BEFORE they happen.
Contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452‑9515 or email us at contact@ackahlaw.com.
