LMIA wait times rise for key TFWP streams

LMIA wait times rise for key TFWP streams

Processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) increased in June 2026 for two major streams under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), according to new figures released on July 9 by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The high-wage stream rose to 79 days and the low-wage stream reached 71 days, marking the most notable month-over-month increases. These changes affect employers seeking to hire foreign workers in sectors facing labour shortages.

At the same time, several other LMIA categories recorded shorter processing timelines, including the permanent resident stream, which declined to 99 days.

• High-wage LMIA processing increased from 64 to 79 days in June 2026
• Low-wage stream timelines rose from 61 to 71 days
• Permanent resident stream dropped by 15 days to 99 days
• Global Talent Stream improved slightly to 9 days
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program decreased to 9 days
• Agricultural stream processing remained unchanged at 22 days

Changes across LMIA streams in June 2026

ESDC’s latest update reflects varying processing trends across different LMIA pathways. The most significant increase was observed in the high-wage stream, where processing times lengthened by 15 days after remaining at 64 days through April and May.

The low-wage stream also experienced a rise, adding 10 days compared to May figures. This places average processing at more than 10 weeks for employers applying under this category.

In contrast, other streams either improved or remained stable. The permanent resident stream recorded a reduction of 15 days, continuing a steady downward trend seen over recent months.

Shorter timelines in select categories

Processing under the Global Talent Stream decreased slightly to nine days, maintaining its position as one of the fastest LMIA routes. Similarly, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program saw a two-day reduction, also reaching nine days.

The agricultural stream showed no change from May, holding at 22 days. This category allows employers to hire foreign workers for roles lasting up to 24 months.

These timelines do not account for mandatory recruitment and advertising requirements, which must be completed before an LMIA application is submitted.

Context: factors affecting LMIA processing

LMIA processing durations depend on several administrative and operational factors, including the volume of applications received, the complexity of submissions, and whether employers meet documentation requirements at the time of filing.

Each stream under the TFWP has distinct eligibility rules and processing priorities. High-wage and low-wage streams often involve broader labour market assessments, which can contribute to longer timelines.

By comparison, accelerated streams such as the Global Talent Stream are designed to expedite hiring for specialised roles in high-demand industries.

Advertising and compliance requirements

Before applying for an LMIA, employers must demonstrate efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This includes advertising job vacancies for periods ranging from at least 14 days to as long as eight weeks, depending on the stream.

Only after these conditions are met can an application be submitted to ESDC for review. Processing times published by the department begin after submission and exclude the pre-application recruitment period.

Role of LMIAs in Canada’s work permit system

An LMIA is a key component of the employer-specific work permit process under the TFWP. The document confirms that hiring a foreign national is unlikely to negatively impact Canada’s labour market.

A positive or neutral LMIA outcome allows employers to proceed with hiring, after which the foreign worker can submit a work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The final decision on work permit issuance, including validity duration, rests with IRCC following its assessment of the application.

Validity and application timelines

LMIAs are generally valid for up to six months from the date of issuance. During this period, foreign nationals must apply for a work permit; otherwise, the LMIA cannot be used.

Employers are also required to provide applicants with documentation, including the LMIA decision letter and a formal job offer, as part of the work permit application process.

Recent trends in TFWP admissions

The federal government has reduced its overall admissions targets for temporary foreign workers in 2026. The current target is set at 60,000 entries, down from 142,000 in the previous year.

Data from January to April 2026 shows that 14,655 workers entered Canada under the TFWP. This represents a decline of 25.6% compared to the same period in 2025 and a decrease of more than 50% relative to 2024 levels.

The decrease aligns with a broader federal objective to reduce the share of temporary residents in Canada’s population to below five percent by 2027.

Impact on LMIA volumes

Lower admissions targets can influence the number of LMIA applications submitted by employers. Changes in application volume may contribute to shifts in processing timelines observed across different streams.

At the same time, policy adjustments have also affected LMIA-exempt pathways under the International Mobility Program, which has seen reduced intake levels in 2026.

Regional and program connections

LMIAs remain relevant for certain permanent immigration pathways, including streams linked to provincial labour market needs. Provinces such as Manitoba continue to operate nomination systems aligned with employer demand.

Information on provincial selection activity, including recent draws, can be found through resources such as the Manitoba draws (MPNP) index, which tracks invitations issued under provincial programs.

While provincial nominee programs operate separately from LMIA processing, both systems interact with employer demand and labour shortages across regions.

Ongoing monitoring of processing times

ESDC publishes LMIA processing updates on a regular basis to reflect current service standards and workloads. These timelines are subject to change depending on operational conditions and application volumes.

June 2026 data highlights diverging trends across TFWP streams, with longer waits in higher-volume categories and shorter timelines in specialised or targeted programs.

The permanent resident stream’s reduction to 99 days marks a continued improvement from late 2025, when processing times had reached approximately 38 weeks, illustrating ongoing adjustments within the system.

Readers seeking additional updates on immigration processing trends and program activity can consult broader coverage and data tools tracking recent developments across Canada’s immigration system.