Canada’s LMIA Processing Times Drop by Up to 77 Days

Canada has reported shorter Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times across several Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) streams in September 2026.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) released the updated figures on October 7, showing reductions ranging from one to 77 business days.

The permanent resident stream recorded the largest improvement, reaching its shortest processing time of 2026.

However, not every category experienced faster processing, with some employers continuing to face longer waits.

LMIA Processing Times See Major Changes

The permanent resident stream experienced the sharpest decline, dropping from 156 business days in August to 79 in September.

The Global Talent Stream improved slightly, falling from 10 to nine days. The agricultural stream also recorded a reduction, moving from 25 to 22 days.

Meanwhile, the high-wage stream increased from 90 to 98 days, reaching its highest level this year.

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program rose from six to seven days, ending three consecutive months of declining processing times.

The low-wage stream remained unchanged at 82 days.

These estimates exclude the mandatory recruitment and advertising periods, which can range from 14 days to eight weeks.

What Employers Should Know About LMIA Applications

Canadian employers generally require a positive or neutral LMIA before hiring foreign workers through the TFWP.

This assessment confirms that employers have met recruitment requirements and that hiring a foreign national is unlikely to negatively affect Canada's labour market.

Before applying, employers must advertise positions and demonstrate reasonable efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Once approved, employers provide foreign workers with the LMIA decision letter and employment offer needed for their work permit applications.

An LMIA remains valid for a maximum of six months, meaning workers must submit their applications before expiry.

Some eligible workers may apply while their employer's LMIA assessment remains underway.

Restrictions Continue for Low-Wage Applications

Despite improvements in several categories, restrictions remain for certain employers.

Canada suspends low-wage LMIA processing in affected regions where unemployment reaches or exceeds 6%.

The government reviews these regional restrictions quarterly, with the next update scheduled for January 8, 2027.

Employers must therefore check local requirements before beginning recruitment.

Canada Reduces Temporary Foreign Worker Targets

The federal government has lowered its TFWP admissions target to 60,000 for 2026, compared with 82,000 in 2025.

Between January and July 2026, Canada admitted 26,735 temporary foreign workers, representing a 31.4% decline from the same period last year.

The International Mobility Program also faces reduced targets, falling from 285,750 in 2025 to 170,000 in 2026.

These changes support Canada's broader goal of reducing temporary residents to below 5% of the population by the end of 2027.

Lower admissions could eventually ease application volumes, although future processing improvements remain uncertain.