LMIA Processing Times: What to Expect in 2026

If your business plans to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), consider the following to accurately estimate the time required to bring a foreign worker to work for you in Canada.

The LMIA process timeline involves a business preparing the application and processing it through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada. Afterward, a temporary foreign worker (TFW) must apply for a work permit. Each stage has its own processing time. Let’s review each one.

LMIA Application Preparation Time: 2 to 6 weeks

LMIA preparation heavily depends on your ability to quickly gather the necessary business legitimacy documents. Additionally, most LMIA applications require a four-week advertisement targeting Canadians and permanent residents.

Several factors can greatly influence the preparation time. If your company is hiring foreign tech professionals through the Global Talent Stream, you are not required to run a four-week advertisement, which can significantly shorten the overall preparation time. Conversely, if the job is based in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Nova Scotia, your company must obtain a valid provincial employer registration certificate to hire foreign workers, which can extend the process.

LMIA Processing Times by Stream [Year 2025, Monthly Overview]: What to Expect in 2026

After submitting the LMIA application, the processing time depends on the stream you choose. The province where the business is registered or the job is located does not influence the LMIA processing time. Service Canada releases the average processing times for each stream monthly.

LMIA Processing Times by Stream and Month (2025):

As shown in the table, firms hiring foreign tech professionals through the Global Talent Stream benefit from the fastest processing times, while firms supporting foreign nationals for permanent residence may need to wait several months.

LMIA processing times also vary depending on backlogs. However, the timeline slightly fluctuates each month, allowing businesses to anticipate processing times and plan accordingly. To consider all details and get an accurate picture, schedule a consultation with an immigration lawyer.

Processing Time for LMIA-Based Work Permits

Obtaining a positive LMIA is not the final step. There is an additional process that requires time and should be considered by employers bringing in foreign workers, especially in seasonal or time-sensitive industries.

TFW from visa-exempt countries are generally permitted to apply for a work permit at the port of entry with an immediate decision. Employers only need to account for the time it takes to prepare the work permit application for the foreign worker.

TFWs from countries requiring visas should apply for a work permit before arriving in Canada and wait for a decision if they are outside the country. Processing times vary based on the applicant's country of residence and the IRCC backlog at the relevant visa office, ranging from a few weeks to several months. IRCC updates work permit processing times weekly, allowing employers to check this information in advance.

Another possible scenario occurs when a TFW is already employed and the firm is applying for an LMIA to retain them. If properly planned, such a TFW can continue working while waiting for a decision on their work permit application based on an LMIA from within Canada (conditions apply), effectively reducing the wait time before starting work. However, this may not apply in all cases, as these workers need to stay in Canada and await a decision to maintain their worker status. 

Conclusion

To have a realistic understanding of the time needed to bring a TFW to Canada and when they can start working for a Canadian business, employers must proactively consider the time required to prepare the necessary documents for the LMIA application, conduct a four-week job advertisement when necessary (in most cases), check processing times based on the LMIA stream, and account for the time needed to obtain a work permit depending on the TFW's country of residence. This entire process can take several weeks to months, or even up to a year.  To consider all details and get an accurate picture, book a consultation with an immigration lawyer.

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