**Canada Updates TFWP: 26 Cities Now Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIAs**
Canada Expands List of Cities Ineligible for Low-Wage TFWP Work Permits as of July 2025
If you’re a foreign worker or employer in Canada navigating the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), there’s an important update you should know about. As of July 11, 2025, the federal government has expanded the number of Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) where low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications will no longer be processed. This update affects both new applications and work permit extensions under the low-wage stream of the TFWP.
Let’s walk through what’s changed, how to check if your city is affected, and what your options are if you’re impacted.
Key Highlights
- Canada has updated the list of CMAs ineligible for low-wage LMIA applications as of July 11, 2025.
- 26 regions now appear on the ineligible list — up from 24 in the previous quarter.
- This measure applies only to the low-wage stream of the TFWP in CMAs with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
- Employers and foreign workers must check their CMA’s unemployment rate before applying.
- Jobs with higher wages or in exempt sectors may still be eligible.
- Next update to the list is expected on October 10, 2025.
What Is the Low-Wage Stream of the TFWP?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps Canadian employers fill labour shortages by hiring foreign workers. The program is divided into two streams: high-wage and low-wage. Which stream a job falls under depends on whether the wage offered is above or below the provincial or territorial wage threshold set by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
In 2024, the government tightened restrictions, announcing that low-wage LMIA applications would not be processed in CMAs with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. This policy aims to protect opportunities for Canadian workers in areas where jobs are harder to come by.
Which Cities Are Now Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIAs?
As of July 11, 2025, the following 26 CMAs are ineligible for low-wage LMIA applications:
| Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Unemployment Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| St. John’s, NL | 7.2 |
| Halifax, NS | 6.2 |
| Moncton, NB | 6.4 |
| Saint John, NB | 7.4 |
| Fredericton, NB | 6.2 |
| Montréal, QC | 6.9 |
| Ottawa-Gatineau, ON/QC | 6.4 |
| Kingston, ON | 7.2 |
| Belleville – Quinte West, ON | 7.1 |
| Peterborough, ON | 9.9 |
| Oshawa, ON | 9.2 |
| Toronto, ON | 8.9 |
| Hamilton, ON | 6.6 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara, ON | 6.4 |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, ON | 6.9 |
| Brantford, ON | 6.8 |
| London, ON | 6.9 |
| Windsor, ON | 11.0 |
| Barrie, ON | 7.3 |
| Calgary, AB | 7.3 |
| Edmonton, AB | 7.6 |
| Kamloops, BC | 8.7 |
| Chilliwack, BC | 6.3 |
| Abbotsford-Mission, BC | 6.1 |
| Vancouver, BC | 6.3 |
| Nanaimo, BC | 7.3 |
This is an increase from the previous quarter’s list, which included 24 regions. These restrictions are expected to remain in place until at least October 10, 2025, when the list will be reviewed and updated again by the government.
What Cities Have Been Removed from the List?
Some good news for a few regions — the following CMAs were on the list previously but have now been removed, meaning low-wage LMIA applications can once again be processed in these areas:
- Drummondville, QC
- Guelph, ON
- Kelowna, BC
- Red Deer, AB
How Do You Know If You’re Affected?
If you’re a foreign worker or an employer planning to apply for a low-wage LMIA, it’s essential to confirm if your job’s location is in one of the restricted CMAs. Here’s a quick way to check:
- Go to the Census of Population’s search tool and enter the full postal code of the job location.
- Find the section titled “Census metropolitan area / Census agglomeration.”
- Note the CMA listed for that postal code.
- Compare it to the list of ineligible CMAs shared above.
Also, make sure to check whether your job falls under the low-wage or high-wage stream. This depends on if the wage offered is below the provincial median wage. You can find the updated wage thresholds on the TFWP wage requirements page.
What Are Your Options If You’re Impacted?
All hope isn’t lost if your job offer is based in a restricted CMA under the low-wage stream. Here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Negotiate a higher wage: If your employer is open to increasing the wage offered so it meets the high-wage threshold, the application could be submitted under the high-wage stream instead.
- Wait for the next update: The unemployment rate in your CMA might drop below 6% in the next quarter. The next update is expected on October 10, 2025.
- Consider relocating: Focus your job search in regions where low-wage LMIA applications are still being accepted.
- Look for exempt occupations: Some sectors are exempt from these restrictions, including agriculture, construction, health care, and food processing. You can check which roles qualify on the TFWP exemption list.
What If You’re Already Working Under the TFWP?
If you’re currently working in Canada under a low-wage TFWP work permit and your region is now restricted, you won’t be able to renew your permit unless your job moves to the high-wage category or another eligible location.
However, you may still have a few options:
- Maintained status: If you applied to extend your work permit before it expired, you can continue working under the same conditions until Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a decision.
- Temporary public policy: A COVID-19 era policy still allows foreign workers with closed work permits to apply to switch employers and start working while waiting for a new permit. Learn more on our policy update page.
- Visitor status: If you’re unable to work, you may apply for a visitor record to legally stay in Canada while you figure out your next steps.
Final Thoughts
The government’s quarterly updates to the
