Documents processing time for foreign specialists has changed
This applies to applicants who are planning to work in Canada.
Employment and Social Development Canada has updated the processing time for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is required for foreigners to work in Canada.
The LMIA is a document that allows a company to hire talents from abroad. It is required in almost all cases where an employer wants to hire a foreign applicant, with few exceptions. This is usually the longest step in the hiring process, it requires the company to follow strict protocols and can take several months to complete.
However, there is a positive trend now. According to recent statistics, the average processing time for LMIA applications has decreased. It depends on which category the hired specialist falls into:
- Global Talent Stream — 10 business days;
- agricultural workers — 13 business days;
- seasonal agricultural workers — 5 business days;
- candidates for immigration to Canada — 18 business days;
- in-home caregivers — 38 business days;
- high-wage workers — 40 business days;
- low-wage workers — 58 business days.
The entire LMIA process is up to the employer. However, the foreign employee who is hired can apply for a work permit only after the company receives the LMIA. Therefore, the shortened processing time means that workers can now come into the country more quickly.
