LMIA Processing Times Decline Across Several Temporary Foreign Worker Program Streams

Labour Market Impact Assessment processing times decreased across several streams of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program in September 2026.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada, the biggest improvement was seen in the permanent resident stream, where processing times dropped by 77 days compared with August.

ESDC released the latest processing time figures on October 7, 2026. These estimates are updated monthly and are shown as the average number of business days required to assess an LMIA application.

LMIA Processing Times: August vs September 2026

Here is how processing times changed:

These processing times do not include the advertising period that employers may need to complete before submitting an LMIA application.

Depending on the stream, the required recruitment period can range from approximately 14 days to eight weeks.

Permanent Resident Stream Sees the Biggest Improvement

The most significant change was recorded in the permanent resident stream.

Processing times fell from 156 days in August to 79 days in September.

This brought the stream to its lowest processing time of 2026.

For employers using this stream to support foreign workers in permanent residence-related hiring, the decline represents a major improvement compared with earlier months.

High-Wage LMIA Processing Times Increase

While several streams saw faster processing, the high-wage stream moved in the opposite direction.

Processing times increased from 90 days in August to 98 days in September.

This was the highest level recorded for the high-wage stream in 2026 and represented a significant increase compared with January.

Employers planning high-wage LMIA applications should therefore continue to account for longer processing times when planning recruitment and work permit timelines.

Low-Wage LMIA Processing Times Remain Unchanged

The low-wage stream stayed at 82 days in September, the same as in August.

This remains one of the highest processing levels recorded for the stream in 2026.

Low-wage LMIA processing is also subject to separate restrictions in regions where the unemployment rate reaches or exceeds 6%.

The federal government reviews the affected regions quarterly, with the next update scheduled for January 8, 2027.

Global Talent Stream Remains Fast

The Global Talent Stream improved slightly, with processing times decreasing from 10 days to 9 days.

This means the stream is currently processing applications below its 10-day service standard.

The Global Talent Stream is designed to help eligible Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers more quickly.

Agricultural Stream Processing Improves

The Agricultural Stream also recorded a decline.

Processing times fell from 25 days in August to 22 days in September.

This was the stream’s first decrease since February and brought processing times back to the same level recorded in June.

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program Sees Small Increase

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program recorded a small increase in September.

Processing times rose from 6 days to 7 days.

This was the first increase since May and ended a three-month downward trend.

Even with the increase, processing times under this program remain relatively short compared with most other LMIA streams.

What Is an LMIA?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment is an official document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada.

In most cases, a Canadian employer must obtain a positive or neutral LMIA before a foreign worker can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

A positive or neutral LMIA generally confirms that:

• The employer made required efforts to recruit Canadians or permanent residents
• No suitable Canadian worker was available for the position
• Hiring a foreign worker is unlikely to negatively affect the Canadian labour market
  
  

What Employers Must Do Before Applying for an LMIA

Before submitting an LMIA application, employers must meet the requirements of the applicable stream.

These can include:

• Advertising the position
• Using required recruitment methods
• Meeting wage requirements
• Providing supporting business documents
• Demonstrating a genuine need for the foreign worker
  
  

The advertising and recruitment period is separate from the LMIA processing time published by ESDC.

What Happens After an LMIA Is Approved?

Once ESDC issues a positive or neutral LMIA, the employer must provide the foreign worker with:

• The LMIA decision letter
• A valid job offer letter
  
  

The worker then includes these documents with their work permit application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Although ESDC may recommend a length of employment, IRCC makes the final decision on the work permit validity period.

LMIA Validity Period

An approved LMIA is generally valid for no more than six months.

The foreign worker must submit their work permit application before the LMIA expires.

Employers and workers should therefore plan carefully to avoid delays between LMIA approval and work permit submission.

Concurrent LMIA and Work Permit Processing

Some foreign workers may be eligible to submit a work permit application while the employer’s LMIA is still being processed.

This may be possible under IRCC’s concurrent processing measures.

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s situation and the timing of the LMIA application.

LMIA-Supported Job Opportunities

Job seekers looking for LMIA-supported positions can also search Canada’s Job Bank.

At the time of the report, more than 5,800 vacancies were listed by employers with approved or pending LMIA applications.

However, a job posting does not guarantee that a worker will qualify for a work permit or that the employer’s LMIA will be approved.

Canada Is Reducing Temporary Foreign Worker Admissions

Canada has set a target of 60,000 Temporary Foreign Worker Program admissions for 2026.

This is lower than the 82,000 admissions recorded in 2025.

Between January and July 2026, Canada admitted 26,735 workers through the TFWP.

This represented:

• A 31.4% decline compared with the same period in 2025
• A 56.0% decline compared with the same period in 2024
  
  

The reduction is consistent with the federal government’s broader goal of reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.

International Mobility Program Admissions Also Decline

Canada has also reduced its target for the International Mobility Program.

The 2026 target was lowered to 170,000 admissions, compared with 285,750 in 2025.

Between January and July 2026, 86,620 workers arrived through the LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program.

This represented a decline of:

• 11.7% compared with the same period in 2025
• 59.5% compared with the same period in 2024
  
  

Could Lower Admissions Reduce LMIA Processing Times?

Fewer Temporary Foreign Worker Program admissions may result in fewer LMIA applications being submitted.

If application volumes decline, this could reduce pressure on ESDC and potentially support faster processing over time.

However, LMIA processing times can continue to change based on application volumes, the stream involved, completeness of applications, and operational capacity.