Employer & worker pathways
Employer compliance and worker applications are two separate journeys
An LMIA is an employer process run by Employment and Social Development Canada. A positive LMIA does not itself issue a work permit. We keep employer and worker scopes, consents and documents clearly separate.
Two separate journeys
A positive LMIA is an employer-side outcome. It does not itself issue a work permit — the worker’s application is a separate process with its own consent and documents.
Is this the conversation you need?
Work permit routes range from employer-specific permits requiring an LMIA or an LMIA exemption, to open work permits available to specific categories of applicants. Employers and workers have distinct legal processes, timelines and responsibilities. Low-wage LMIA processing can be refused in some metro areas based on the current ESDC unemployment-rate list, subject to exceptions — this changes and must be checked before marketing or accepting an engagement.
What a consultation can review
- Whether a role likely needs an LMIA, may qualify for an LMIA exemption, or fits an open work permit category
- Employer-side recruitment, wage and compliance readiness
- Worker-side qualification, licensing and admissibility considerations
General evidence categories
- Employer: business legitimacy, job offer, wage and location details
- Employer: recruitment efforts and transition-plan records, where applicable
- Worker: passport and current status documents
- Worker: qualifications, licensing and work-history evidence
- Worker: LMIA or exemption-category supporting documents
- Family and admissibility documents where relevant
How the engagement works
- 1
Explore
We explain a work permit route in plain language and point you to the official program page, so you understand the route before spending time or money on it.
- 2
Assess
A consultation reviews the basic route facts and exclusions against your situation. This is a professional discussion, not an automated eligibility decision.
- 3
Prepare
We walk through general document categories together and point you to the official, personalized document checklist for your file.
- 4
Engage
If you choose to proceed, you receive a written scope of work and fee agreement before any representation begins.
- 5
Submit
Applications are filed through the official government channel. You retain control of your account, information and electronic signature throughout.
- 6
After filing
We explain what biometrics, medical, police or additional-document requests can look like, link the official processing-time estimator, and agree on how often we will update you.
- 7
Decision & next step
We do not predict or promise an outcome. Whatever the decision, we help you understand the next available step.
What we cannot promise
A consultation can review your facts against current program instructions. No representative can guarantee eligibility, approval, invitation or processing time — government authorities make all decisions.
This is a general document-category guide, not a complete personal checklist. IRCC/ESDC/provincial forms, fees and evidence vary by route, country, status and case facts. Confirm your current requirements in the official application package before filing.
Official sources
- IRCC — Employer-specific work permitIRCC · checked 2026-07-29
- IRCC — Open work permitIRCC · checked 2026-07-29
- ESDC — Temporary Foreign Worker ProgramESDC · checked 2026-07-29
Last reviewed 2026-07-29.
Ready to talk through your situation?
Hiring a representative is optional. A representative cannot guarantee a decision, approval or processing time. Government authorities make all decisions.