Work in Canada. LMIA process and its variants
LMIA stands for Labor Market Impact Assessment.
When an employer receives a positive LMIA, it means that they can hire a foreign worker for the position they are offering without negatively impacting the Canadian labor market. Good to know, the organization that develops the LMIA process and reviews applications is Employment and Social Skills Development Canada (ESDC), also known as Service Canada. LMIA was formerly known as OML or Labor Market Opinion.
LMIA Types
LMIA to obtain permanent residence
If you are applying to immigrate to Canada and you receive a positive LMIA, your chances of being approved may increase. This is usually the easiest type of LMIA, as the applicant will enter the job market only if they become a permanent resident of Canada.
LMIA for the Global Talent Stream
This LMIA is limited to certain positions (mainly in the IT sector, ie Information and Technology) that demand highly talented people.
LMIA for High Salary Positions
If the applicant is offered a job by the Canadian employer and the salary is equal to or higher than the median salary for that position in their province, a High Wage LMIA must be applied for.
LMIA for Low Wage Positions
If the salary offered is less than the median salary for the province, the position falls into the low-salary category. Obtaining an LMIA for these types of positions is extremely difficult.
LMIA for agricultural workers
ESDC issues an LMIA for farmworkers under two main programs, namely the Seasonal Farmworker Program and the Agricultural Stream.
LMIA for home caregivers
This type of LMIA is for people who provide home care for minor children, people age 65 or older, and people with disabilities or serious chronic or terminal illnesses.