Canada Foreign Worker Program Transitioning To LMIA Online Portal Effective April 3

Last Updated On 31 March 2023, 9:41 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Effective April 3, 2023 the Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will begin shifting to the LMIA Online Portal as the primary means of submitting LMIAs.

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian business or employer require before recruiting a foreign worker.

With positive LMIA, a foreign worker can apply for a work permit and come to Canada for employment.

This change to LMIA Online Portal will streamline processing even further, allowing firms to respond labour market demands more swiftly.

New Extension of Temporary Foreign Worker Program COVID Measures

Furthermore, Minister of Employment, Carla Qualtrough extended below listed temporary measures until October 23, 2023. These measures were introduced during the COVID.

• Allowing employers in seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages (such as accommodation and food services, construction, and food manufacturing) to hire up to 30% of their workforce for low-wage positions through the TFWP;
• extending the validity period of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to 18 months; and
• extending the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions to two years.

The Canadian labour market remains tighter than it was prior to the pandemic, with the job vacancy rate reaching an all-time high in the third quarter of 2021.

Still unemployment rate in Canada continues to remain near-record low at 5.0%.

As of March 19, 2023, 56.5% more files (108,592) have been processed this year than during the same time period the prior fiscal year (69,379).

Despite the huge rise in demand, national average LMIA processing times improved by more than ten days in fiscal year 2022-23.

LMIA processing times have continued to improve and are now at 29 days nationwide, down from 40 days at the start of this fiscal year.

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What is the LMIA Online Portal

The LMIA Online Portal is a trustworthy and secure electronic resource.

It enables Canadian employers and third-party representatives to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada on their behalf.

LMIA Online Portal Features

Employers or third-party representatives can do the following in the LMIA Online Portal after setting up a Job Bank account:

• Submit LMIA application anytime (24×7 = 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Complete or revise an LMIA application at any time prior to submitting it to Service Canada
• Upload supporting documents
• Securely pay LMIA fees
• Receive real-time updates on the status of LMIA application
• Employer can access and follow the status of application, when a third party representative is submitting an LMIA application on employer’s behalf
• View correspondence and decision letters issued by Service Canada,
• Review previously submitted applications,
• Create a new LMIA application by copying the information from a previous application, and
• Contact TFWP system experts for help with technical issues.

“We are taking a balanced approach to adjust the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to meet the changing needs of Canada’s workforce and Canadian employers. Renewing these measures addresses immediate labour shortages, while ensuring Canadians have access to jobs. We’ll continue working with provinces, territories and other partners to build the strong, skilled workforce Canada needs to support our economy.”

– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

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How to request an exemption

If applicants meet one of the below listed exemptions, then they may contact edsc.demande.formulaire.ptet-tfwp.form.request@servicecanada.gc.ca to make a request for an exemption and request a PDF LMIA application form.

• business name
• business telephone
• justification(s) for the exemption(s), citing the exception to which applicant is entitled
• the stream(s) applicant want to apply for

If you fulfil the requirements for the exemption, Service Canada will assess your request and make a determination. Email replies will be sent out within two business days.

LMIA Portal Exemptions

In April 2023, all LMIA application forms will be taken down from Canada.ca website.

However, employer or their representative is unable to use the LMIA Online Portal because of the below listed reasons, then they might be granted exemption from submitting the application online.

Exemption 1

Employers or their representative is/are unable get a Job Bank account if they;

• don’t have a SIN
• don’t have a payroll account number associated with CRA business number

Exemption 2

Employers is facing limitations or technical difficulties (example, limited internet or computer access).

Exemption 3

Applicants cannot use the Online Portal due to a system outage. In this situation, a notification outlining the steps to submit an LMIA application during this time will be placed on the Online Portal.

Temporary Foreign Worker LMIA Employers List

Below is the latest official list of Employers who have been issued positive LMIAs so far.

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