Jobs That Received the Most LMIAs in 2023

Understanding Work Permits and LMIAs

To work in Canada, newcomers usually need a work permit. This permit allows them to live and work in Canada temporarily. One common type of work permit is the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) supported permit.

An LMIA is an assessment by the Canadian government to determine the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the local labor market. A positive or neutral LMIA result means the job position can be filled by a foreign worker. Conversely, a negative result means the position is not eligible for this type of work permit. LMIAs help ensure that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the job.

Top Jobs Receiving LMIAs in 2023

Positions that receive LMIAs are usually in high demand. According to data from the Canadian government, here are the top ten jobs that received the most LMIAs in 2023:

These job titles correspond to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2016 codes. The NOC system categorizes and classifies professions within the Canadian economy. In 2021, some NOC codes were expanded to be more specific. For example, the 2016 NOC code for General Farm Workers (8431) was split into:

• 84120: Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• 85100: Livestock laborers
• 85101: Harvesting laborers

You can check the changes in NOC codes from 2016 to 2021 using IRCC's conversion table.

LMIA Statistics and Streams

In 2023, the Canadian government issued over 60,000 LMIAs to support the hiring of foreign workers. These work permits were granted under different streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which includes multiple streams depending on job type, industry, responsibilities, and wages.

Out of the top 10 jobs, four were from the low-wage stream of the TFWP, four from the high-wage stream, one from the Global Talent Stream (GTS), and one (the highest number of LMIAs) from the Primary Agriculture stream.

How Can Newcomers Use This Information?

Newcomers who need an LMIA might consider targeting occupations that have previously received a high number of LMIAs. Remember, it is the employer's responsibility to apply for the LMIA and cover all associated fees. Employers must also follow specific steps, such as publicly advertising the job position for a certain period.

In March 2024, Canada announced changes to the TFWP and LMIAs, including adjustments to validity periods and workforce quotas. Staying updated with these changes can help newcomers and employers navigate the process more effectively.