Employers in Canada can now submit an online application for the Labour Market Impact Assessment if they want to hire temporary foreign workers. After various Canadian business leaders demanded an improved LMIA process for employers, the new pilot project was established. Employers participating in the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme will be able to register online under the new pilot. Through their online accounts, employers will also be able to manage their accounts, do business, and communicate.
The login information for the Job Bank for Employers would also be used for the online site. A questionnaire to assist employers in submitting an LMIA online will also be available on the platform. Additionally, employers would be able to monitor the status of the LMIA application online. On the platform, they would also be able to receive correspondence from Service Canada and upload the appropriate papers.
For many years, Canadian firms have been requesting fewer restrictions on hiring foreign workers. Canadian business organizations including the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have proposed a number of suggestions for enhancements.
Employers previously lacked the means to monitor their LMIA applications. Between three and twelve months was the range for the typical wait time. Additionally, there was no procedure for answering questions from businesses.
An LMIA is required before employers can engage foreign labor. The LMIA demonstrates that the company explored hiring Canadian employees before looking for staff elsewhere. Each LMIA application carries a $1,000 charge. The cost is not refundable, even if the application is denied. Additionally, employers were not informed of the first rejection of the application. As a result, it was challenging for employers to decide whether or not to ask candidates to reapply.
In 2017, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce suggested using an online portal to update the LMIA application procedure. In a recent report, the CFIB highlighted the challenges that small and mid-sized enterprises experience when trying to hire temporary foreign workers.
The LMIA process, according to Corinne Pohlmann of CFIB, was drawn out, difficult, and expensive. An online system is a step in the right direction, but the procedure still needs a number of modifications.
Service Canada is switching to online Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications in order to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP) and enhance customer service. Employers, their legal counsel, and other third-party representatives must start submitting LMIA applications through the LMIA Online Portal as of April 2023. The TFWP website no longer hosts the LMIA application.
Before recruiting a foreign worker, a Canadian employer may need to obtain an LMIA. A favorable LMIA will demonstrate that a foreign worker is required to fill the position. Additionally, it will demonstrate that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is qualified to perform the position.
An LMIA application can be submitted to Service Canada by Canadian employers and their attorneys via the LMIA Online Portal, a trustworthy and secure computerized platform.
LMIA Online Portal Requirements
Before using the LMIA portal, an employer must:
- possess a CRA (Canada Revenue Agency)-issued business number
- Register your company on Job Bank, create an account, and study the requirements for the immigration stream you are looking for.
- Make sure you have the necessary supporting papers.
Through an online platform, employers wishing to hire temporary foreign employees may now manage their Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application.
Following several requests from Canadian industry leaders to enhance the present LMIA procedure for employers, a new pilot project has been launched.
According to the government website, the online pilot will enable Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP) employers to sign up for online access so they may maintain their accounts, carry out transactions, and communicate with Service Canada.
