LMIA Jobs in Canada: Requested vs Approved LMIA Explained
If you are searching for work in Canada from abroad, you will keep running into the term "LMIA." This guide explains what an LMIA is, and why a job listing marked "LMIA requested" is not the same as one marked "LMIA approved."
What an LMIA actually is
An LMIA — a Labour Market Impact Assessment — is a document a Canadian employer may need to hire a foreign worker. The employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada, not to you. A positive LMIA is essentially the government's confirmation that hiring a foreign worker for that role should not negatively affect the Canadian labour market, usually because the employer could not find a suitable citizen or permanent resident.
LMIAs sit inside the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Not every job needs one: many positions are hired through the International Mobility Program (IMP), which is LMIA-exempt. So "LMIA job" really means a job where the employer intends to go through the LMIA route to hire someone from outside Canada.
One point worth being clear on from the start: the LMIA is the employer's responsibility and the employer's cost. It is not something you buy, and a legitimate employer will not ask you to pay for it. More on that below.
"Requested" vs "approved" — the distinction that trips people up
When you browse LMIA jobs on job boards, you will often see two very different labels, and confusing them wastes a lot of time.
- LMIA requested (or "LMIA pending"): The employer says they are willing to apply for an LMIA, or has an application in progress, but nothing has been granted yet. There is no guarantee the assessment will come back positive.
- LMIA approved (positive LMIA): The government has already issued a positive assessment for that position. This is much further along and generally more reliable — though a specific offer still needs to match the approved LMIA.
An "approved" listing tends to be the stronger signal, but even then you still need to apply, be selected by the employer, and then apply separately for your own work permit. Approval of the employer's LMIA is not approval of you.
From LMIA to actually working in Canada
A positive LMIA is one step, not the finish line. In most cases the sequence looks like this: the employer gets a positive LMIA, gives you a copy plus a job offer, and then you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a work permit. Each stage has its own requirements and can be refused on its own merits.
Because of that, it helps to understand the broader system of work permits before you build your plans around a single listing. A job offer backed by an LMIA can also, in some cases, support a permanent-residence application — for example it may add points in Express Entry, and several provincial nominee programs have streams tied to a Canadian job offer. Whether extra points apply, and how many, depends on the program and can change, so confirm the current rules on the official Government of Canada immigration website (canada.ca) rather than relying on figures you see repeated on forums.
If you want to see roughly where you stand for Express Entry, you can experiment with a CRS calculator — but treat the result as an estimate, not a decision.
Where to look for real LMIA jobs
Canada's Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) is the government's own job site and a sensible starting point, partly because employers hiring through the TFWP are generally expected to advertise there. You can also find openings on mainstream job boards and directly on company career pages. Our own listings of jobs in Canada and jobs for foreign workers are meant as a starting point for your own research, not a substitute for the official sources.
Roles are described using the National Occupational Classification (NOC), which sorts jobs into TEER categories. Knowing your NOC and TEER level helps you read listings and understand which immigration pathways a job might connect to. Because the classification is updated periodically, check the current NOC on canada.ca rather than relying on an older version.
Protecting yourself from job and LMIA scams
This is the part that matters most, because fraud in this space is common and expensive. Keep these points in mind:
- A legitimate Canadian employer never charges you to hire you, and never charges you for an LMIA. The employer pays the government fee, not the worker.
- Selling a job offer or an LMIA is illegal. If someone offers to "sell you an LMIA" or a guaranteed job for a fee, that is a scam and possibly a crime — walk away.
- A job offer — even a real one — does not guarantee a work permit or permanent residence. Anyone promising guaranteed approval is not being honest.
- Be cautious with anyone pressuring you to pay quickly, pay in crypto or gift cards, or sign before you have read the paperwork.
When in doubt, verify the employer independently and check the current guidance on canada.ca. Slowing down is almost always the right move.
Frequently asked questions
Does an approved LMIA mean I have a job? No. An approved LMIA belongs to the employer and the position, not to you. You still have to be hired for that role and then apply for your own work permit, which can be refused separately.
Can I pay an employer or agent to get an LMIA? No. It is illegal to sell an LMIA or a job offer, and legitimate employers cover the LMIA cost themselves. Any request for payment in exchange for an LMIA is a red flag.
Is IRCC.com the government, or can you find me a job? No on both counts. IRCC.com is an independent information website. We are not the Government of Canada, we are not affiliated with or endorsed by it, and we do not provide immigration advice or job placement. We cannot issue LMIAs or work permits. For official information and applications, always use canada.ca.