Ottawa Reports Longer LMIA Waits for Key TFWP Streams

Canadian employers using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are facing longer waits for Labour Market Impact Assessments in two major streams, according to the latest federal update.

Employment and Social Development Canada, the department that reviews LMIA applications, released its June 2026 processing times on July 9. The update shows that processing has slowed for both the high-wage and low-wage streams, while three other streams saw shorter wait times.

High-Wage Stream Sees Biggest Increase

The high-wage stream recorded the largest jump in processing time. In May, applications in this stream took 64 days to process. In June, that rose to 79 days, an increase of 15 days.

The low-wage stream also became slower. Processing moved from 61 days in May to 71 days in June. That means employers in this stream are now looking at a wait of more than 10 weeks.

The federal government does not process low-wage LMIAs in census metropolitan areas where unemployment is 6 per cent or higher.

Some Streams Move Faster

Not every stream saw delays. The Global Talent Stream improved slightly, falling from 10 days in May to nine days in June.

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program also improved, dropping from 11 days to nine days. The agricultural stream stayed unchanged at 22 days. Through that stream, employers can hire workers for up to 24 months.

The permanent resident stream saw the sharpest improvement. Its processing time dropped from 114 days in May to 99 days in June. That continues a steady decline from November 2025, when the wait time was about 38 weeks. It now sits at just over 14 weeks.

These processing times do not include the required advertising period employers must complete before applying. Depending on the stream, that period can range from 14 days to eight weeks.

Why LMIAs Matter

Before a foreign worker can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the employer usually needs a positive or neutral LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada.

That assessment shows the employer made efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and that hiring a foreign worker is not expected to hurt Canada’s labour market.

Once an LMIA is approved, the employer gives the worker the LMIA decision letter and a job offer letter. The worker then uses these documents to apply for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

An LMIA is generally valid for up to six months. The worker must apply for a work permit before it expires.

At the time of writing, Canada’s Job Bank listed more than 5,700 jobs from employers that had already received an LMIA or had applied for one.

Admissions Continue To Fall

Ottawa has set a 2026 target of 60,000 admissions under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. That is 82,000 fewer than the 2025 target.

From January to April 2026, 14,655 workers entered Canada through the program. That was down 25.6 per cent from the same period in 2025 and 53.6 per cent from 2024.

The International Mobility Program, which allows some foreign workers to get LMIA-exempt work permits, is also being reduced. Planned admissions fell from 285,750 in 2025 to 170,000 in 2026.