It is a document assessing the impact of employing a foreign national in Canada. A positive LMIA indicates that there is no Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill a position, thus enabling the employer to hire a foreign national. A negative LMIA indicates that the position must be held by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
If an employer needs an LMIA, it must apply for it.
Once the employer obtains the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.
To apply for a work permit, a worker needs to...
• Job offer letter
• Employment contract
• Copy of LMIA
• LMIA number