Hire a temporary foreign worker in a high-wage or low-wage position
The wage being offered for the position will determine if you need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the stream for high-wage positions or the stream for low-wage positions.
To determine which stream you need to apply under, compare the wage you’re offering for the position on your LMIA application with the hourly wage threshold shown in the Hourly wage threshold by province or territory table below. Updated: July 10, 2026
If the offered wage is:
- at or above the provincial or territorial hourly wage threshold, you must apply under the stream for high-wage positions and meet the program requirements of this stream
- below the provincial or territorial hourly wage threshold, you must apply under the stream for low-wage positions and meet the program requirements of this stream
Important: Offering a higher wage to temporary foreign workers isn’t sufficient to qualify under the stream for high-wage positions. Wages offered to temporary foreign workers should be similar to wages paid to Canadians and permanent residents hired for the same job and work location, and with similar skills and years of experience. Adjusting the offered wage to fit a specific program stream or to avoid a program requirement could lead to a negative LMIA decision.
| Province/territory | For LMIAs received between June 27, 2025, and July 16, 2026 | For LMIAs received as of July 17, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $36.00 | $37.50 |
| British Columbia | $36.60 | $38.40 |
| Manitoba | $30.16 | $31.33 |
| New Brunswick | $30.00 | $31.73 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $32.40 | $33.60 |
| Northwest Territories | $48.00 | $48.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 | $31.96 |
| Nunavut | $42.00 | $45.00 |
| Ontario | $36.00 | $36.92 |
| Prince Edward Island | $30.00 | $31.20 |
| Quebec | $34.62 | $36.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.60 | $34.62 |
| Yukon | $44.40 | $45.60 |
Source:Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey (2024 to 2025).
Definitions
Hourly wage threshold
The hourly wage threshold is the applicable provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus (+) 20%. The provincial or territorial hourly median wage is based on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.
This wage threshold acts as the reference point against which an employer compares their offered wage to determine whether the LMIA application must be submitted under the stream for high-wage positions or the stream for low-wage positions.
Offered wage
This is the wage rate you're offering for the position on the LMIA application. Employers must compare this wage to the applicable hourly wage threshold to determine whether the LMIA application must be submitted under the stream for high-wage positions or the stream for low-wage positions.
To meet the program's wage requirement, the offered wage must be consistent with the prevailing wage rate for the occupation.
Consult the program requirements for information on the prevailing wage: