A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an employer-driven application that may allow a Canadian employer to hire a temporary foreign worker when qualified Canadians or permanent residents are not available for the position.
LMIA applications involve significant employer compliance requirements. At BIC Canada, our role goes beyond preparing and submitting the application. We assess the employer and position, determine the applicable LMIA stream, review wage and recruitment requirements, prepare the application and supporting documentation, and assist the employer throughout the Service Canada assessment process.
Our support also continues after an LMIA is approved. We help employers understand their obligations regarding wages, working conditions, employment records and other program requirements so they can remain compliant with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Our LMIA & Work Permit Process
Employer and Position Assessment
We assess the employer, proposed position, NOC, wage, work location and applicable LMIA requirements before recommending that the employer proceed.
Recruitment
Where recruitment is required, we provide guidance on the advertising requirements and review the recruitment conducted by the employer to ensure it meets applicable program requirements.
LMIA Application Preparation
We prepare the LMIA application and supporting documentation, review the employer’s recruitment results and ensure the information submitted is consistent with the offered employment.
We review your score and explain opportunities to improve it based on your circumstances.
Service Canada Assessment
After submission, we communicate with Service Canada as required and assist the employer with additional document requests, questions and the LMIA interview or assessment process.
LMIA Decision
If a positive LMIA is issued, we review the approval and applicable employment conditions with the employer and provide the documentation required for the foreign worker’s work permit application.
Work Permit Application
Where retained for the work permit, we prepare and submit the foreign worker’s application to IRCC, including the LMIA and supporting employment documentation.
Post-Approval Employer Compliance
Our involvement does not necessarily end with the LMIA approval. We assist employers in understanding their continuing obligations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and provide guidance on maintaining compliance with the approved wage, occupation, working conditions and employment terms.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
Not every work permit requires an LMIA. Canada offers several LMIA-exempt and open work permit categories depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
At BIC Canada, we assess eligibility and assist with different types of LMIA-exempt work permits, including Francophone Mobility work permits, which allow eligible French-speaking foreign nationals to work for Canadian employers outside Quebec without an LMIA; Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) for eligible graduates of Canadian institutions; and spousal open work permits, including eligible spouses of skilled foreign workers under the C41 category.
We also assist with other eligible employer-specific and open work permit categories, work permit extensions and restoration applications. Where an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit is required, we assist the employer with the applicable Employer Portal requirements and the worker with the subsequent work permit application.
Each work permit category has its own eligibility requirements and restrictions. We review the applicant’s immigration history, current status, employment, family circumstances and available exemptions before recommending the appropriate work permit pathway.
What We Do
Clear, trusted immigration guidance tailored to your goals.
Prepare applications with care.
Each application goes through a detailed preparation and review process.
Assess eligibility and address concerns early.
We review your eligibility and supporting information to identify potential issues and correct errors before submission.
Use email as our primary communication method.
We provide clear instructions, updates through email, providing you a paper trail of important information and deadlines.
Provide access to your file information.
We manage applications through our client management portal, where information is prepared and verified. Clients can access information relevant to their files through this portal.
What We Don’t Do
We set honest expectations.
We don’t make false promises or guarantee outcomes.
We do not guarantee invitations, approvals or processing times, as these decisions are outside our control.
We don’t Arrange LMIA job offers or find employers for OINP support.
We do not find or arrange employers to support LMIA or OINP applications. Our role is limited to preparing and submitting applications where an employer has already agreed to provide support.
We don’t accept false information or documents.
We do not assist with misrepresentation or dishonest practices. We decline files where we have reason to believe the applicant intends to provide false or misleading information.
We don’t participate in false employment or payroll arrangements.
We do not encourage or participate in schemes where someone is placed on payroll without genuine employment to qualify for an immigration application.
We don’t use WhatsApp or personal mobile numbers for client communication.
Due to the volume of applications we handle, all client communication is conducted through our official office email addresses. This helps us keep communication organized and track important instructions, updates and deadlines.
