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:
- Job Advertising: Employers must demonstrate they have tried to hire Canadians first by advertising the job locally.
- LMIA Application: The employer submits a detailed application to Service Canada.
- 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.
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Canada’s Staffing Challenges Saskatchewan-built platform aims to reduce agency nurse reliance and fill critical roles with permanent hires. Saskatchewan, Canada – August 20, 2025 – FillaRole has officially launched FillaRole Health, a Saskatchewan-built, AI hiring and onboarding platform, designed for Canada’s healthcare sector. It gives busy HR teams one centralized tool to post jobs, track applicants, manage interviews and onboard hires, without the spreadsheet chaos. The platform arrives at a crucial moment: Saskatchewan alone spent over $70 million on contract nurses in 2024, nearly triple the cost just two years ago. In Nova Scotia, the 2024 bill hit $141.7 million despite policy changes, while BC and Quebec are each spending over $1.5 billion annually on agency staffing. The physician shortage is just as troubling. Manitoba recently contracted a consultant $5.25 million to recruit 150 physicians and only two were hired. Across Canada, billions are being diverted to temporary and stop-gap staffing initiatives. “We’re watching the healthcare system drown in contract costs,” said Keli Propp, CEO of FillaRole. “FillaRole Health offers a long-term solution: permanent hires, both local and international, without the 40% premium in wage costs that health authorities are paying right now. You can curb it now or let the bill keep climbing.” To strengthen their presence in the Canadian healthcare space, FillaRole has joined the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network, which is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Canadian technology in healthcare. Through this collaboration, FillaRole gains access to new tools, strategic insights, and opportunities that drive meaningful change with this solution for patients, providers, and communities across Canada. All-in-One Platform Purpose-Built for Healthcare FillaRole Health combines essential hiring systems into one streamlined pl atform: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : AI-powered job descriptions, resume scraping and one-click interview invites. Immigration & Compliance Software : Built-in LMIA-exempt tracking, international recruitment support and permit workflows. T alent Pool Building : Advertise positions worldwide, funnelling applicants into one centralized pool. Track their engagement to spot the most promising candidates. Additional features include automated posting to 19+ job boards, intelligent applicant ranking, customizable document templates, real human support and performance reports within 48 hours. All of which are securely hosted on Canadian servers. Designed for the Frontlines of Care FillaRole Health is especially suited for: Long-term care homes Private clinics and pharmacies Mental health and allied health practices Regional health authorities Medical recruiters supporting multiple locations The platform prioritizes local hires first, automatically filtering candidates by licensing and credentials, while tracking documentation and renewal dates. All but eliminating those dreaded back-and-forth email chains. The Time to Fix Healthcare Hiring Is Now FillaRole’s core platform already supports 100,000+ users and nearly 40,000 applicants across Canada and was selected earlier this year for VentureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program. With the launch of FillaRole Health by a Canadian team with decades of experience in HR technology and immigration workflows, the company brings its proven hiring engine directly to Canada’s most urgent frontline staffing crisis. “You shouldn’t need six tools and an immigration lawyer to fill one role,” added Propp. “FillaRole Health makes hiring healthcare workers fast and finally affordable again.” To learn more about FillaRole Health or the CAN Health Membership Program, visit: www.fillarole.ca/healthcare About FillaRole FillaRole is an AI-powered hiring platform developed to simplify employment for Canadian businesses. By automating job postings and applicant sorting, FillaRole enables employers to save time, improve efficiency, and focus on hiring the right talent. Proudly Canadian, FillaRole supports local and international hiring with expert guidance every step of the way. Media Contact: Keli Propp CEO, FillaRole Email: kpropp@fillarole.ca Phone: 306-805-0113
Can’t Find Local Talent? Canada’s Francophone Mobility Work Permit Can Fill Your Role Beyond Immigration By Natasha Antionette Cooke Global Talent Acquisition Leader | Connect with me on LinkedIn 🌍 The Canadian Talent Crunch and a Francophone Solution Canada’s labour market is under immense pressure, with talent shortages affecting nearly every sector. Employers across the country, from Quebec to British Columbia, are struggling to find local candidates who meet the needs of skilled roles outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) . As recruitment timelines drag and key roles go unfilled, Fill a Role steps in with cutting-edge talent-matching tools and strategies that ensure organizations don’t just hire faster—they hire smarter. One often-overlooked but highly effective solution to this crisis is the F rancophone Mobility Work Permit . Designed to facilitate the hiring of French-speaking foreign nationals outside of Quebec, this immigration program supports employers looking to recruit skilled talent without going through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) . 🙌 What Is the Francophone Mobility Work Permit? T he Francophone Mobility Program is part of Canada’s International Mobility Program , offering an LMIA exemption under exemption code C16 . It allows Canadian employers to hire foreign worker s who have French language proficiency , even if the job doesn't require French. This closed work permit offers flexible employment options for eligible foreign nationals and provides a faster, smoother work permit application process for both the employer and employee. It’s especially advantageous for employers outside Quebec, helping them tap into international Francophone communities with strong skills and a desire to contribute to Canada’s economic growth. 💼 Why It Matters for Employers For organizations using platforms like Fill a Role to streamline hiring and fill urgent roles, the Francophone Mobility Work Permit offers an additional advantage. By leveraging this pathway, Canadian employer s can bypass the often-lengthy LMIA process, reduce processing times , and still maintain compliance through the Employer Porta l. Employers simply submit an offer of employment , pay the employer compliance fee , and ensure the candidate meets eligibility requirements , including demonstrating French language ability via TCF , TEF , or other approved tests aligning with NCLC (Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) scores. 🔍 Eligibility Requirements and Application Process To qualify for the Francophone Mobility Program: The job offer must be for a skilled worker position (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 according to the NOC). The foreign national must plan to work in a province or territory outside Quebec . The applicant must demonstrate French language proficiency (CLB/NCLC level 5 or higher). The role must support the worker's path to permanent residence under federal or PNP immigration programs. Once eligibility is confirmed, the work permit application can be submitted online through IRCC’s portal. The processing fee and application fee are paid, and if approved, the worker can start employment relatively quickly compared to traditional LMIA -based pathways. ✈️ A Gateway to Permanent Residency The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is more than just a quick fix for staffing shortages. It’s a stepping stone to permanent residence . Workers employed under this program often become eligible to apply for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) , or other pathways that recognize their work experience and language abilities. This is particularly beneficial for employers using Fill a Role to build a long-term talent strategy. By recruiting French speakers under Mobilité Francophone, you’re investing in team members who are more likely to stay, integrate, and grow with your organization. 🎓 Family and Partner Inclusion Another bonus? The Francophone Mobility Program allows applicants to include dependent children and a common-law partner or spouse in their application. Spouses may be eligible for an open work permit , while children can receive study perm its to access Canadian education. This family-friendly aspect enhances job satisfaction and strengthens worker retention. 🤖 How FillaRole Helps You Recruit Francophone Talent Navigating Canada immigration rules can be complex. That’s why Fill a Role offers tools and resources tailored to help Canadian employers identify candidates who meet both skill-level and language test criteria. With access to a growing international database, FillaRole filters applicants based on language skills , work experience , and NOC code compatibility. Additionally, the platform connects you with certified Registered Canadian Immigration consultant (RCIC) who can advise on work permit processing, application process support, and post-hire integration strategies. 🏢 Going Beyond Quebec: Serving Francophone Communities Nationwide Contrary to popular belief, Francophone talent isn’t limited to Quebec. Canada has vibrant Francophone communities in Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Alberta. Mobilité Francophone is designed to spread French language influence across the nation. Whether your company is based in tech-friendly Toronto or in a rural town with limited access to skilled labour, this program offers an underutilized solution. With FillaRole, you can reach this diverse talent pool and match with candidates who are both qualified and ready to relocate. ⚡ The Fill a Role Advantage: From Search to Success Here’s how F ill a Role enhances your hiring journey: Real-time matching with pre-vetted Francophone candidates Smart filtering based on NOC, CLB/NCLC scores, and TEER Employer compliance tracking for IRCC guidelines Access to immigration support via certified partners End-to-end support for job offer documentation and work permit application steps From sourcing to onboarding, FillaRole simplifies the process—so you can focus on growing your team, not navigating bureaucracy. 🔹 Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for Talent to Come to You Canada’s skilled workers shortage isn’t going away anytime soon. But thanks to innovative immigration programs like the Francophone Mobility Work Permit and platforms like Fill a Role , employers have access to high-potential international talent who are ready to contribute, integrate, and thrive. So if you can’t find local talent, don’t wait. Go global. Think Francophone. And let FillaRole help you fill your role—faster, smarter, and beyond borders. 👤 About the Author Natasha Antionette Cooke is a global Talent Acquisition Leader with a passion for helping businesses solve hiring challenges through strategic innovation and human-centered design. With a background in international recruitment and digital transformation, Natasha empowers employers to navigate complex talent markets using tools like Fill a Role and sustainable immigration strategies.