{"id":2801,"date":"2025-05-14T16:29:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T16:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/?p=2801"},"modified":"2025-10-14T16:31:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T16:31:47","slug":"what-to-know-about-recent-changes-to-the-lmia-work-permit-process-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/what-to-know-about-recent-changes-to-the-lmia-work-permit-process-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know About Recent Changes to the LMIA Work Permit Process in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/05\/May-2-1024x658.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/05\/May-2-980x630.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/05\/May-2-480x308.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>For those looking to work in Canada, understanding the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process is key, especially with several new changes now affecting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These updates could impact how and when foreign workers are able to apply for jobs in Canada and who qualifies for certain types of permits.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is an LMIA Work Permit?<\/h2>\n<p>An LMIA work permit is a type of Canadian work permit that requires the employer to first obtain approval from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This approval, called a Labour Market Impact Assessment, shows that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the job. Once an employer has a positive LMIA, a foreign worker can apply for a work permit tied to that job.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recent LMIA-Related Changes<\/h2>\n<p>The Canadian government has made a number of significant updates to how LMIA work permits are processed:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shortened LMIA validity:<\/strong>\u00a0Previously, a positive LMIA was valid for 12 months. That window has now been cut in half, and applicants must apply for a work permit within six months of receiving an LMIA.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Halt on low-wage applications in high unemployment areas:<\/strong>\u00a0Until at least July 10, 2025, LMIA applications for low-wage positions are not being processed in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. This policy is intended to prioritize jobs for local workers in regions with fewer employment opportunities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduced duration for low-wage employment:<\/strong>\u00a0The maximum period of employment for workers under the low-wage stream has been reduced to one year, down from previous durations that were often longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Policy Changes to Know<\/h2>\n<p>In addition to the LMIA-specific changes, the government has introduced new rules affecting other types of work permits:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Restrictions on open work permits for family members: Spouses or common-law partners of LMIA-based work permit holders will only be eligible for open work permits in select circumstances.<\/li>\n<li>No more work permits from inside Canada for visitors: Foreign nationals who enter Canada as visitors can no longer apply for a work permit while inside the country. They must apply from outside Canada if they wish to work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Expert Help Navigating Canada\u2019s Changing Work Permit Rules<\/h2>\n<p>These policy changes can make the\u00a0<a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/canadian-immigration\/work-and-study-permits\/labour-market-impact-assessment-lmia\/\">LMIA work permit<\/a>\u00a0process more complex and time-sensitive. At Pilkington Immigration, we can help determine whether you\u2019re eligible for a work permit under the new rules and assist with every step of the application. Contact us today to get trusted guidance tailored to your situation.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Schedule a consultation with our team today by visiting our Contact Us page: <a href=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/contact-us\/\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For those looking to work in Canada, understanding the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process is key, especially with several new changes now affecting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These updates could impact how and when foreign workers are able to apply for jobs in Canada and who qualifies for certain types of permits. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1677\" src=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/04\/PGWP-300x251-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"251\" \/>\n\nAs of April 6, 2023, those who are currently or formerly on a Post- Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) could be eligible for an 18 month Open Work Permit. Those who wish to apply will have until December 31, 2023.\n\nThe benefit for this Open Work Permit is that it grants the individual the ability to work any job and for any employer in Canada for up to 18 additional months.\n\nAs per IRCC, eligible candidates will be able to:\n<ul>\n \t<li>opt into a simplified process to extend their work permit, or<\/li>\n \t<li>apply to extend their work permit, or<\/li>\n \t<li>apply to restore their status and get a new work permit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEven if a candidate is not eligible to opt in, they can still apply for a work permit.\n\nSee <a href=\"https:\/\/t.sidekickopen60.com\/s3t\/c\/5\/f18dQhb0V1-gmb8cp8kBW25MZTD59hl3kW7_k2841CX6NGW35QNyY2PynM_W7vZ0Py8kpgz-f197v5Y04?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-3F4FzJW3H34sw3yML2qW1Lyz5B3S-qPyW4fJg0T1GHbGRW4hFZJc4cfK-XW4fJg-S41Y76NW45lYRp49SzG1W3K96C743WgprW3F4FzJ3H34yvW3K8Qz94ff6B5W4cQ9YB49HRfrW3zhs7S41p1cXW49MW8W3K8Qz9W4fdgXX3ZTPLWw4cg7Ws9x12&amp;si=8000000016645336&amp;pi=1b369650-4437-45f0-83d7-642df18d96a2\">IRCC website<\/a> for more information on this opportunity.\n\nIRCC has emailed those who may be eligible for the process to extend their work permit. The message comes from an email that ends in @cic.gc.ca or @notifications.canada.ca. IRCC notes that such individuals must take action before May 20, 2023 and apply before their work permit expires.\n\nTo be eligible for the simplified process, you must:\n\n1)\u00a0Reside in Canada\n\n2)\u00a0Log into your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/t.sidekickopen60.com\/s3t\/c\/5\/f18dQhb0V1-gmb8cp8kBW25MZTD59hl3kW7_k2841CX6NGW35QNyY2PynM_W7vZ0Py8kpgz-f197v5Y04?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-3F4FzJW3H34sw3yML2qW1Lyz5B3S-qPyW4fJg0T1GHbGRW4hFZJc4cfK-XW4fJg-S41Y76NW45lYRp49SzG1W3K96BL45S_3cW3F4G5h43TwfrW3F5tD341Yswq4S6TW1&amp;si=8000000016645336&amp;pi=1b369650-4437-45f0-83d7-642df18d96a2\">IRCC Secure Account<\/a>\u00a0to:\n<ul>\n \t<li>ensure that your mailing address is up to date<\/li>\n \t<li>confirm your passport information is up to date and has an expiration date of June 2025 or later, and<\/li>\n \t<li>opt in for up to an additional 18 months<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIf you do not have an account, you will need to register for an IRCC Secure Account and link your most recent PGWP application to your account before May 20, 2023.\n\nAbout the Open Work Permit extension:\n\nRecently, Canada\u2019s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser announced that the IRCC would enable those who are eligible as former or current PGWP holders access to a new Open Work Permit.\n\nTypically a PGWP is non-renewable, and those with an expiring PGWP would have to find another way to remain in the country or leave. However, Fraser indicated the purpose of this initiative will help employers in Canada address their labour shortages and provide PGWP holders time to potentially consider permanent residency. PGWPs allow eligible international graduates to work for up to 3 years after they complete their studies in the country. The ultimate length of the PGWP depends on the length of the completed program of study. \u00a0PGWPs are of high interest as they allow graduates to build their eligibility for permanent residency.\n\nMajority of Canada\u2019s economic class immigration programs reward candidates who have Canadian work experience since Stats Canada shows the experience supports the labour market integration upon gaining permanent residence. This shows why Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and other economic class pathways provide more points and or dedicated streams to those with experience in Canada. In 2022, Canada hosted a record 800,000 international students. Nearly 98,000 PGWP holders transitioned to permanent residence last year, accounting for over 80% of all temporary residents who transitioned to PR.\n\nWhen this announcement was made, IRCC suggested there were over 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada at the end of 2022. The department estimates nearly 127,000 PGWPs will expire in 2023. However approximately 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for PR, and would not need to apply for a new Open Work Permit.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-events"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Staff","author_link":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/author\/brian\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2801"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2808,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2801\/revisions\/2808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}