When Canadian employers need to hire workers from other countries, they often navigate a process involving a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This assessment is crucial for ensuring that the hiring of a foreign worker does not negatively impact the Canadian job market. Here, we’ll explore what LMIA-approved and LMIA-pending jobs are, and why they matter to both employers and international workers.


What is an LMIA?

An LMIA is a document required by Canadian employers who want to hire foreign workers. It proves that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill a job and that no Canadian worker is available for the position.


What is an LMIA-Approved Job?

An LMIA-approved job is one where the Canadian government has given a positive or neutral assessment. This means the government agrees that:

  • No suitable Canadian candidate was found to fill the role.
  • Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian workforce.

Benefits for workers: A positive LMIA is crucial for obtaining a Canadian work permit and can significantly enhance a foreign worker's prospects for permanent residence in the future.

Benefits for employers: It allows the legal employment of a foreign worker, helping to fill critical workforce gaps.


What is an LMIA-Pending Job?

An LMIA-pending job is a position for which an employer has applied for an LMIA but has not yet received approval. During this time, the job cannot be filled by a foreign worker, and the outcome of the application is still uncertain.

Process Overview:

  1. Job Advertising: Employers must demonstrate they have tried to hire Canadians first by advertising the job locally.
  2. LMIA Application: The employer submits a detailed application to Service Canada.
  3. Government Assessment: Officials review the application to decide if a foreign worker should be hired.


Implications of an LMIA-Pending Job:

  • For workers: You cannot apply for a work visa based on a pending LMIA job offer. But, it may be worth applying for the job itself during this stage. Once the LMIA is approved it might be more likely that the employer has filled the position already.
  • For employers: There is a waiting period where they cannot proceed with hiring the foreign worker until approval is given.


Why Does This Matter?

For foreign workers, understanding the status of your job offer (LMIA-approved versus LMIA-pending) is key to planning your immigration and employment strategy in Canada. An LMIA-approved job simplifies obtaining a work visa and paves the way for permanent residency.

For employers, navigating the LMIA process efficiently is essential for meeting labor shortages and planning business operations effectively.


Whether you are a prospective international worker aiming to live and work in Canada, or an employer looking to fill a vacancy, knowing the difference between LMIA-approved and LMIA-pending jobs is crucial. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions about employment and immigration, ensuring compliance with Canadian laws and smoothing the path to achieving your goals in Canada.


If you're an employer looking to navigate the LMIA process, or an international worker seeking opportunities in Canada, we're here to help. At Immigrate, we connect Canadian employers and international workers with top immigration experts to ensure a smooth, successful path to achieving your immigration goals.


Don't wait to start your journey. Visit immigrate.biz today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in turning your Canadian dream into reality. Join us and give yourself the best chance of success in the Canadian job market!

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End-of-Year Immigration & Work Permit Updates

By Dirk Propp • November 17, 2025
As provinces work to use up their remaining 2025 nominations and travel-based permit applications gain popularity, it’s never been more important to plan ahead, both for employers and workers.  Provincial Nominations Have Returned Provinces across Canada have received some of their unused nominations back, meaning more opportunities for both employers and applicants. We encourage you to check each province’s immigration website for updates as they begin issuing these newly available spots. From experience, government programs operate on a “use it or lose it” basis. Provinces that don’t use their full nomination allotment may receive fewer in future years. With the end of the year approaching and a potential reset of nomination quotas, most provinces will be working to allocate every remaining nomination before 2026. In Saskatchewan, where the program previously closed after reaching capacity, the province is now creating a list of employers and contacting them to confirm whether positions are still needed. This allows them to issue Job Approval Letters (JALs) and proceed with nominations. If you’re an employer in Saskatchewan who hasn’t yet joined the queue, now is the time to get your name on that list. Holiday Work Permit Applications to Work in Canada Holiday Port of Entry Applications are a new and growing trend, and I believe we’ll see a steady increase in these for those who qualify. Traditionally, people would go to the nearest land border to obtain a new work permit based on their LMIA, nomination, PR in process or an applicable exemption. However, beginning in 2025, land borders will no longer be able to issue work permits, which makes Holiday Port of Entry applications a new and viable option. It’s important to note that people previously had the opportunity to apply for work permits from within Canada, so this wasn’t a problem. That option has also been removed, further reinforcing the relevance of Holiday Port of Entry applications for work permits. If you're from a country not listed below, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit and cannot use a Port of Entry to obtain a decision without submitting an application. In that case, your options are to apply from your country of citizenship or from a country where you are legally permitted to be and currently present. This introduces the concept of the Holiday Application, many destinations now have quick work permit processing times. By applying online after you land, you can enjoy a short warm (or cold) holiday while waiting for a decision on your new work permit. Individuals from the countries listed below are able to apply for a work permit upon entry, based on holding an eTA. There are two main groups to consider: Visa-exempt countries that can always apply upon entry, and2. Conditionally visa-exempt countries, where eligibility depends on the applicant having held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or currently holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. In my opinion, it would be wise to stay at least a day or two as part of your holiday so that it’s not blatantly obvious that you are “Holiday Flag Poling.” Take the opportunity to genuinely enjoy a short holiday before obtaining your work permit to return to Canada. For individuals who are not from a visa-exempt country, check which countries you are legally permitted to travel to and how long you can stay there. Then, review how long it takes to obtain a work permit from that location if you’d prefer not to return to your home country to apply. For employers: If you have a worker whose status has expired or who has gone out of status, and that worker entered under a Dual Intent LMIA, you are not required to pay for the flight home or to another country they choose (as long as both parties agree). For Low-Wage LMIA applications, however, it’s important that employers do pay for the return flight, so speak with your employee or applicant in advance to confirm costs and ensure this is arranged. Lastly, applying for a work permit while traveling does not guarantee approval. A strong and professionally prepared application is always recommended. Ultimately, the immigration officer has the discretion to make the final decision. So feel free to reach out to the team at Fill a Role before hand to get assistance and a second-opinion.