Labour Market Impact Assessment Online Portal resources
On this page
- What is the LMIA Online Portal
- What you need to do before you apply using the LMIA Online Portal
- What you can do in the LMIA Online Portal
- Uploading documents to your LMIA Online application
- Videos to help you use the LMIA Online Portal
- What you need to do if you cannot use the LMIA Online Portal
- Contact us
Transitioning to online applications
As part of its efforts to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and improve client service, Service Canada is transitioning to online Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications.
Starting in April 2023, employers and third-party representatives will be required to submit LMIA applications using the LMIA Online Portal. To support the transition, changes are also being made to the application forms that will be removed from the TFWP website.
Get a head start and use the LMIA Online Portal today!
What is the LMIA Online Portal
The LMIA Online Portal is a reliable and secure electronic tool. It allows Canadian employers and third-party representatives (on behalf of employers) to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada.
What you need to do before you apply using the LMIA Online Portal
- Canadian employers need to have a business number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Before you can use the LMIA Online Portal, you have to create your own user account and register your business on Job Bank. To create an account, visit Job Bank’s page for employers
- Review the program’s eligibility requirements for the stream you have selected:
- Gather documents that support your business legitimacy and your LMIA application. For example:
- lease agreement
- tax documents
- recruitment documents (example: ads)
- For positions located in Quebec and for an employment period of more than 30 consecutive days visit Hiring in the province of Quebec
- Login to the LMIA Online Portal to apply now
What you can do in the LMIA Online Portal
Once you have a Job Bank account created, you'll be able to do the following in the LMIA Online Portal:
- submit an LMIA application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- complete or return to an LMIA application before submitting it to Service Canada
- upload supporting documents
- securely pay LMIA fees, if applicable
- get real-time updates on the status of your application
- view correspondence and decision letters issued by Service Canada
- review previously submitted applications
- access and follow the status of your application when a third-party representative is submitting an LMIA application on your behalf
- create a new LMIA application by copying the information from a previous application
- access TFWP system experts for assistance with technical problems
Uploading documents to support your LMIA Online application
The size limit of each document is 6.0 MB. Should you need to upload a document larger than the 6.0 MB limit, follow the steps below:
- you can divide your file in multiple documents smaller than 6.0 MB each
- documents must be in PDF, RTF, TXT or JPG format
- there is no limit on the number of documents that you can upload in the LMIA Online Portal
Do not upload any documents containing confidential information such as:
- social insurance number (SIN)
- banking information
- passport number
Videos to help you use the LMIA Online Portal
The following videos guide you on how to use the LMIA Online Portal and remind you of the benefits of submitting online!
Introduction to the LMIA Online Portal
The Introduction to the LMIA Online Portal video provides you with general information on the LMIA Online Portal and its benefits.
Logging into the LMIA Online Portal
The Logging into the LMIA Online Portal video shows you how to access the LMIA Online Portal.
Starting the LMIA application in the LMIA Online Portal
The Starting the LMIA application in the LMIA Online Portal video guides you on how to fill out the LMIA application using the LMIA Online Portal.
Finishing the LMIA application in the LMIA Online Portal
The Finishing the LMIA application in the LMIA Online Portal video shows you how to complete the LMIA application in the LMIA Online Portal and how to submit it to Service Canada.
Making a payment in the LMIA Online Portal
The Making a payment in the LMIA Online Portal video shows you how to make a safe LMIA payment in the LMIA Online Portal if you have an LMIA fee.
Viewing the decision letter in the LMIA Online Portal
The Viewing the decision letter in the LMIA Online Portal video shows how to keep track of your Service Canada correspondence and find letters that correspond to your LMIA application, including the decision letter.
What you need to do if you cannot use the LMIA Online Portal
As of April 2023, all LMIA application forms will be removed from canada.ca webpages. This change is being made to support the Program’s transition to the use of LMIA Online Portal.
Exceptions
Employers and third parties must meet certain requirements to be able to use the LMIA Online Portal. Should you fall within 1 of the exception categories listed below, you may be granted an exemption to submitting your application online.
Exception A
You cannot obtain a Job Bank account for 1 or both of the following reasons:
- You don't have a SIN
- You don't have a payroll account number associated with a business number issued by the CRA
Exception B
You're experiencing technical issues or limitations (example, limited internet or computer access).
Exception C
There is a system outage and the LMIA Online Portal is unavailable to clients. In this case, a notice will be posted on the LMIA Online Portal with the process to follow to submit an LMIA application during this period.
How to request an exemption
If you're unable to apply using the LMIA Online Portal because you meet 1 of the exceptions listed above, you can submit a request for an exemption to obtain a PDF LMIA application form by emailing edsc.demande.formulaire.ptet-tfwp.form.request.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Please include the following information in your exemption request:
- company name
- business number
- reason(s) for needing an exemption referencing the exception under which you qualify
- stream(s) you would like to apply to
Service Canada will review your request and will determine if you meet the exemption criteria. A response will be provided by email within 2 business days.
Proof of a valid exemption will be required for each LMIA application form submitted to the TFWP. If it isn't attached to your LMIA application form, your application may be deemed incomplete.
What you need to do if you're granted an exemption
If you're granted an exemption, Service Canada will provide you LMIA application forms for all TFWP streams. Since the application forms may undergo revisions, you're responsible for making sure that you submit your LMIA application using the most recent form version. The version number can be found in the lower left corner of the application form pages.
Always check the following table to make sure your form is current:
| Application type | Version number |
|---|---|
| Agricultural stream | 2022-09-002 |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 2023-01-003 |
| Global Talent Stream | 2023-01-006 |
| High-wage stream | 2023-01-006 |
| Low-wage stream | 2022-09-011 |
| In-home caregiver | 2023-01-006 |
| Permanent residence stream | 2023-01-006 |
If you don't submit your LMIA application using the most recent form, your application may be deemed incomplete.
If you need a new form, you must contact the Form Request mailbox (edsc.demande.formulaire.ptet-tfwp.form.request.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca) to receive the updated form.
Requests from third-party representatives
If you're a third-party representative, you can request an exemption on behalf of your client(s) if they meet the same exception criteria identified above. Since the exemptions are employer-specific, if more than 1 of the employers you represent require an exemption, you'll need to send a request for each employer.
Contact us
LMIA Online Portal support
Help with the LMIA application
Job Bank
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