{"id":19790,"date":"2026-08-20T00:20:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T04:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/?p=19790"},"modified":"2026-08-20T00:20:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T04:20:40","slug":"lmia-processing-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/lmia-processing-time\/","title":{"rendered":"LMIA processing times in Canada: 2026 guide for employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-template-header has-neutral-100-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--16)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"--bb--crumb-gap:.4em;\" class=\"blog-template-breadcrumb wp-block-employmentherocom2025-breadcrumb-block\"><nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" 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blog-template-meta-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-custom-post-date has-sm-font-size\">\n    <span>Published<\/span>&nbsp;<time datetime=\"2026-08-20T00:20:37-04:00\">Aug 20, 2026<\/time>\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-image-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized blog-template-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-1024x684.webp\" alt=\"Three smiling women stand side by side laughing joyfully against a plain white brick wall background in casual stylish outfits.\" class=\"wp-image-19793\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:864px;height:561px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-1024x684.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-768x513.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-1536x1026.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-2048x1368.webp 2048w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/adam-winger-Xt4g9VbMljE-unsplash-1-440x294.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:66px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sticky-side-panel is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-11 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\" style=\"border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-200);border-bottom-width:0.1rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-single-table-content\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div id=\"content-wrapper\" class=\"wp-block-group content-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\">\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>TL;DR: As of the June 2026 data from ESDC, LMIA processing times range from 9 business days (Global Talent Stream and SAWP) to 99 business days (Permanent Resident stream), with high-wage applications averaging 79 days and low-wage 71. And the clock only starts after your mandatory advertising period \u2014 which now runs anywhere from 14 days to 8 weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">You&#8217;ve found the perfect candidate. They&#8217;re overseas. Between you and their first day sits a government assessment whose timeline changes monthly and whose rules changed four times this year. The official wait is only half the story \u2014 pre-application requirements add weeks before Service Canada even opens your file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Here are the actual numbers: processing times by stream, the wage thresholds that decide your queue, the 2026 advertising changes, regional restrictions, and the mistakes that get applications bounced back unprocessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Hiring across borders is hard enough without your HR admin fighting you too.<\/strong> Employment Hero keeps contracts, onboarding, and compliance records in one place \u2014 so when Service Canada asks for documentation, you have it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/request-a-demo\/\">Book a demo with our Canadian team<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is an LMIA and why do you need one?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">A Labour Market Impact Assessment is the gatekeeping step in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): before a foreign national can apply for an employer-specific work permit, the Canadian employer must first obtain a positive or neutral LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The LMIA answers two questions: did the employer make genuine efforts to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the role, and will the hire avoid harming the Canadian labour market? A positive LMIA says yes to both. It&#8217;s generally valid for up to six months \u2014 the worker must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for their work permit before it expires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The LMIA is often called an application of last resort, and for the standard streams that&#8217;s fair. The expedited routes tell a different story: the Global Talent Stream turns around in under 10 business days, making the LMIA entirely workable for in-demand skilled hires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current LMIA processing times by stream (June 2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">These figures are the average business days Service Canada\/ESDC takes to assess a complete application and issue a decision. ESDC refreshes them monthly, roughly five weeks in arrears \u2014 the May 2026 figures landed June 9, the June 2026 figures on July 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Average LMIA Processing Times (June 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"eh-table-wrapper\">\n<table class=\"eh-table\" id=\"eh-table-1\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\n<p><strong>TFWP Stream<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th>\n<p><strong>Average Processing Time (Business Days)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th>\n<p><strong>Change from May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Global Talent Stream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Down from 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Down from 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Agricultural stream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Unchanged<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Low-wage stream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>71<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Up from 61<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>High-wage stream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>79<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Up from 64<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Permanent resident stream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>99<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Down from 114<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n\/* =============================================================\n * Employment Hero \u2014 EH Table Styles\n * Generated by EH Table CSS Styler\n * Design tokens: Employment Hero Design System v1 (April 2026)\n * Paste this once per page \u2014 shared by all .eh-table instances\n * =============================================================\n *\n * Usage:\n *   Wrap your <table> with: <div class=\"eh-table-wrapper\">\n *   Add class=\"eh-table\" and a unique id to each <table>\n * ============================================================= *\/\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Responsive wrapper \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.eh-table-wrapper {\n  width: 100%;\n  overflow-x: auto;\n  -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  border: 1px solid #E4E4E7;\n  background-color: #FFFFFF;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Base table \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.eh-table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  font-family: 'DM Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;\n  font-size: clamp(0.875rem, 0.7321rem + 0.2976vw, 1rem);\n  color: #3F3F46;\n  background-color: #FFFFFF;\n  line-height: 1.5;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Header \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.eh-table thead th {\n  background-color: #7622D7;\n  color: #FFFFFF;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  text-align: left;\n  padding: 0.625rem 0.75rem;\n  white-space: normal;\n  overflow-wrap: break-word;\n  letter-spacing: -0.01em;\n  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.15);\n  vertical-align: middle;\n}\n\n.eh-table thead th:first-child { border-top-left-radius:  7px; }\n.eh-table thead th:last-child  { border-top-right-radius: 7px; }\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Body cells \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.eh-table tbody td {\n  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;\n  color: #3F3F46;\n  vertical-align: top;\n  overflow-wrap: break-word;\n  border: 1px solid #E4E4E7;\n}\n\n\/* Remove bottom border from last row *\/\n.eh-table tbody tr:last-child > td {\n  border-bottom: none;\n}\n\n\/* Alternating row colour *\/\n.eh-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) > td {\n  background-color: #F4F4F5;\n}\n\n\/* Row hover *\/\n.eh-table tbody tr:hover > td {\n  background-color: #F9F5FF !important;\n  transition: background-color 0.12s;\n}\n\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Footer \u2500\u2500 *\/\n.eh-table tfoot td {\n  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: #121214;\n  border-top: 2px solid #E4E4E7;\n  background-color: #F4F4F5;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Responsive breakpoints \u2500\u2500 *\/\n@media (max-width: 560px) {\n  .eh-table-wrapper { border-radius: 6px; }\n  .eh-table thead th { font-size: 0.8125rem; }\n  .eh-table tbody td { font-size: 0.875rem; }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The June numbers moved in two directions. Global Talent, SAWP, and Permanent Resident all got faster \u2014 the PR stream shed a full 15 days. The two workhorse streams went the wrong way: low-wage climbed from 61 to 71 days, high-wage from 64 to 79. Planning a hire through either? Budget for the longer queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the TFWP streams and wage thresholds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-1024x768.webp\" alt=\"Diverse office employees talk warmly at desks in a open workplace setting while two women behind them review a laptop screen together.\" class=\"wp-image-19792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-2048x1536.webp 2048w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-440x330.webp 440w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/mimi-thian-VHQ0cw2euA-unsplash-1-512x384.webp 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The stream you apply under is determined mostly by what the job pays, and it dictates your processing time, advertising burden, and paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>High-wage vs. low-wage.<\/strong> The dividing line is a wage threshold ESDC updated on July 17, 2026: <strong>120% of the provincial or territorial median hourly wage<\/strong> \u2014 not the median itself, a distinction plenty of employers get wrong. At or above the threshold, you&#8217;re high-wage; below it, low-wage, with heavier advertising rules and regional restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Current examples: Alberta $37.50, British Columbia $38.40, Ontario $36.92, Quebec $36.00. These sit far above the legal wage floors \u2014 &#8220;high-wage&#8221; is a program category, not a compliance one. For the actual floors, see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/resources\/minimum-wage-across-provinces\/\">minimum wage across provinces<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Global Talent Stream (GTS).<\/strong> Built for speed: 22 in-demand, highly skilled occupations \u2014 mostly IT \u2014 plus employers pre-screened by designated referral partners, processed in under 10 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Permanent Resident stream.<\/strong> Even after dropping 15 days in the latest update, it remains the longest queue in the program at 99 business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The LMIA application process and advertising requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The government&#8217;s clock starts only when Service Canada receives a <em>complete<\/em> application \u2014 every document provided, every form signed, the fee paid. Everything before that is your time, not theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The sequence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Advertise the position.<\/strong> Mandatory recruitment runs from 14 days to 8 weeks depending on the stream, and none of it counts toward ESDC&#8217;s published times \u2014 a 71-day low-wage figure can mean a four-to-five-month journey door to door.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--1-5);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--1-5)\"><strong>Document everything.<\/strong> Postings, applicant volumes, interview records, reasons Canadian applicants weren&#8217;t hired \u2014 this evidence goes in with your application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Submit a complete application and pay the fee.<\/strong> Only now does the government clock start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--1-5)\"><strong>Respond fast to ESDC follow-ups.<\/strong> Slow answers stretch the wait.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Three advertising rules changed recently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checkmark\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">As of April 1, 2026, the mandatory advertising period for <strong>low-wage<\/strong> applications doubled to <strong>8 consecutive weeks<\/strong>, and must fall within the 3 months before submission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--1-5);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--1-5)\">Also from April 1, 2026, low-wage applicants must show <strong>targeted recruitment aimed at Canadian youth aged 15 to 30<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Since January 1, 2026, <strong>proof of advertising is back<\/strong> for primary agricultural positions under the Agricultural Stream.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Exemptions exist for certain owner\/operators, entertainment workers, and specialized technicians; expedited processing is available for positions paying in the top 10% of provincial wages or in specific skilled trades. To get the recruitment step right the first time, our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/ontario-job-posting-requirements\/\">job posting requirements<\/a> is a sensible companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regional restrictions and provincial requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Location can matter as much as pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>The 6% unemployment rule.<\/strong> The government generally refuses to process low-wage LMIAs in Census Metropolitan Areas where unemployment is 6% or higher, updating the list quarterly. On July 10, 2026, the restriction was lifted for eight regions \u2014 including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina \u2014 reopening low-wage hiring there. If your CMA was blocked last quarter, check again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Rural caps.<\/strong> Since April 1, 2026, eligible employers outside CMAs can staff low-wage temporary foreign workers up to a <strong>15% cap<\/strong>, up from 10%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Provincial registration.<\/strong> ESDC publishes processing times by stream only, never by province \u2014 any source quoting an &#8220;Ontario LMIA processing time&#8221; is improvising. What provinces do add is prerequisites: British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia require provincial employer registration before an LMIA can be filed, which extends your total timeline without ever appearing in ESDC&#8217;s numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Factors that delay LMIA processing (and how to avoid them)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Apply early.<\/strong> You can file up to six months before the expected start date. With high-wage processing at 79 days plus up to 8 weeks of advertising, use all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Get the recruitment file right.<\/strong> The primary culprits behind delays are missing or insufficient recruitment documentation and wage discrepancies. Incomplete applications aren&#8217;t queued while you fix them \u2014 they&#8217;re returned unprocessed, and you start again. If slow internal hiring cycles compound the problem, work to <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/how-to-reduce-time-to-hire-for-your-business\/\">reduce your time to hire<\/a> across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Offer the right wage.<\/strong> A wage below the required level for your stream is grounds for refusal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Protect your compliance record.<\/strong> Employers with a history of compliance issues wait longer, and enforcement has teeth: between April 2025 and March 2026, ESDC finalized 1,488 inspections, issued over $10.2 million in penalties, and banned 30 employers (announced July 9, 2026). A clean record is a processing advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Most LMIA delays are self-inflicted \u2014 a missing document, a wage that doesn&#8217;t match the paperwork.<\/strong> Employment Hero keeps records, contracts, and pay data consistent and audit-ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/request-a-demo\/\">Book a demo and take the scramble out of it<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next steps: Work permits after LMIA approval<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">An approved LMIA is the key to a work permit, not the permit itself. The worker takes the positive LMIA to IRCC and applies for an employer-specific work permit, ideally well inside the six-month validity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Two current wrinkles. Under IRCC&#8217;s <strong>concurrent processing<\/strong> measures, certain individuals can submit their work permit application while the employer&#8217;s LMIA is still pending \u2014 a genuine time-saver where it applies. And on July 29, 2026, IRCC tightened the <strong>C20 Reciprocal Employment<\/strong> LMIA-exempt work permit: the foreign national must now be <em>currently employed by the company abroad<\/em> before arriving in Canada. C20 can&#8217;t be used to route brand-new hires around the LMIA \u2014 that door is closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan for the whole timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The honest answer to &#8220;how long does an LMIA take&#8221;: longer than the number on the government website. Nine to 99 business days is the official range, but the advertising weeks, provincial registrations, and the work permit stage all belong in your plan. Employers who map the full journey \u2014 and keep documentation tight enough to survive first contact with Service Canada \u2014 beat the ones who budgeted for the headline figure alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The documentation half is what Employment Hero does all day: contracts, records, pay data, and onboarding in one system. Book a demo with our Canadian team and make your next international hire the calm kind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-4 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/request-a-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-faq eh-faq eh-faq__bg-light\"><div class=\"eh-faq__container\"><div class=\"eh-faq__header\"><h2 class=\"eh-faq__title\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><p class=\"eh-faq__subtitle\"><\/p><\/div><div class=\"eh-faq__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125678491\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125678491\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">What are the changes in LMIA 2026?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>The big four: wage thresholds now sit at 120% of each province&#8217;s median hourly wage (updated July 17, 2026); low-wage advertising doubled to 8 consecutive weeks on April 1; low-wage applicants must show targeted recruitment of Canadian youth aged 15\u201330; and the 6% unemployment restriction was lifted in eight regions on July 10, including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125678495\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125678495\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">How long does it take to get a work permit after LMIA?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>Work permit processing is handled by IRCC, not ESDC, and the wait depends on whether the worker applies from inside or outside Canada. Under concurrent processing, certain applicants can file while the LMIA is still being assessed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125715891\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125715891\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">Why does LMIA take so long?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>Application volumes, the completeness of your file, and missing recruitment documentation drive the wait \u2014 plus mandatory pre-application advertising, which adds 14 days to 8 weeks before the government&#8217;s clock starts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125735175\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125735175\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">Which comes first, LMIA or work permit?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>The LMIA. The employer secures a positive or neutral LMIA first; the worker uses it to apply for their employer-specific work permit \u2014 unless concurrent processing applies, in which case the two can overlap.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125752594\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125752594\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">Is LMIA still valid for PR?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>Yes \u2014 the Permanent Resident stream of the TFWP is still operating. It carries the longest processing time of any stream at 99 business days, even after a recent 15-day improvement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1787125771155\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1787125771155\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">How much does an LMIA cost?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>The standard processing fee is $1,000 per position, paid by the employer to ESDC. It&#8217;s non-refundable even on a negative decision, can&#8217;t be recovered from the worker, and must be paid before an application counts as complete. Some positions, including certain primary agriculture roles, are fee-exempt.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What are the changes in LMIA 2026?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>The big four: wage thresholds now sit at 120% of each province's median hourly wage (updated July 17, 2026); low-wage advertising doubled to 8 consecutive weeks on April 1; low-wage applicants must show targeted recruitment of Canadian youth aged 15\\u201330; and the 6% unemployment restriction was lifted in eight regions on July 10, including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How long does it take to get a work permit after LMIA?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Work permit processing is handled by IRCC, not ESDC, and the wait depends on whether the worker applies from inside or outside Canada. Under concurrent processing, certain applicants can file while the LMIA is still being assessed.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Why does LMIA take so long?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Application volumes, the completeness of your file, and missing recruitment documentation drive the wait \\u2014 plus mandatory pre-application advertising, which adds 14 days to 8 weeks before the government's clock starts.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Which comes first, LMIA or work permit?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>The LMIA. The employer secures a positive or neutral LMIA first; the worker uses it to apply for their employer-specific work permit \\u2014 unless concurrent processing applies, in which case the two can overlap.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Is LMIA still valid for PR?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Yes \\u2014 the Permanent Resident stream of the TFWP is still operating. It carries the longest processing time of any stream at 99 business days, even after a recent 15-day improvement.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How much does an LMIA cost?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>The standard processing fee is $1,000 per position, paid by the employer to ESDC. It's non-refundable even on a negative decision, can't be recovered from the worker, and must be paid before an application counts as complete. Some positions, including certain primary agriculture roles, are fee-exempt.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n\n\n<style>\n#content-wrapper a,\n#content-wrapper p:not(.disclaimer),\n#content-wrapper ol,\n#content-wrapper ul {\n  font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--paragraph-2-m) !important;\n}\n\n.content-wrapper li > ul li {padding-bottom:0.75rem!important;}\n.content-wrapper li:last-child > ul li {padding-bottom:0!important;}\n.eh-faq__container {flex-direction:column!important;}\n@media screen and (min-width: 1441px) {\n    .eh-faq__content {\n       max-width: 904px!important;\n        min-width: 831px!important;\n    }\n}\n\n<\/style>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-13 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-link-arrow is-style-link-arrow--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-brand-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/resources\/businesses\/\">View all<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query blog-3-col-query-loop is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-3 alignfull wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-1 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-20336 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorised resource-type-blog\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-16 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/product-update-august-2026\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Employment Hero in August: HR and payroll built for Canadian businesses\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/Product-update-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-15 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/resources\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blogs<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/product-update-august-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" >Employment Hero in August: HR and payroll built for Canadian businesses<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-2\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Explore Employment Hero&#8217;s August 2026 updates: Section 87 tax support, percentage-based deductions, AI-powered timesheets, and new compliance tools for Canada. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/product-update-august-2026\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Employment Hero in August: HR and payroll built for Canadian businesses<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/product-update-august-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-20313 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorised\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/what-is-pnp-canada-employer-benefits\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"What is PNP Canada? Employer benefits explained\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/PNP-003-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-18 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-17 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/what-is-pnp-canada-employer-benefits\/\" target=\"_self\" >What is PNP Canada? Employer benefits explained<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-4\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Struggling to fill skill gaps? The Provincial Nominee Program lets you hire global talent faster and bypass standard LMIA requirements.&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/what-is-pnp-canada-employer-benefits\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: What is PNP Canada? Employer benefits explained<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/what-is-pnp-canada-employer-benefits\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-19712 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorised resource-type-blog\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/contractor-payments-canadian-businesses\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Introducing Contractor Payments: Pay your your entire Canadian workforce within Employment Hero\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Product-update-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-21 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-20 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/resources\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blogs<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/contractor-payments-canadian-businesses\/\" target=\"_self\" >Introducing Contractor Payments: Pay your your entire Canadian workforce within Employment Hero<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-6\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Contractor Payments is live for Canadian businesses on Employment Hero. Onboard, pay and manage contractors with T4A filing and CRA&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/contractor-payments-canadian-businesses\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Introducing Contractor Payments: Pay your your entire Canadian workforce within Employment Hero<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/contractor-payments-canadian-businesses\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LMIA processing alone can take weeks, then comes the work permit wait. Get current times by stream and plan your full hiring timeline. Read the guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":694,"featured_media":19793,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_visual_mode":"business","_hide_heroai_chat":false,"_lite_auth_enabled":false,"_lite_auth_trigger_method":"scroll","_lite_auth_scroll_percent":25,"_lite_auth_click_element_query":"","exclude_from_algolia":false,"reading_time":"7 min read","display_reading_time":false,"download_content_type":"","download_file":"","download_url":"","download_cta_label":"","homepage_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"resource-type":[30],"topic":[],"learn_topic":[],"industry":[],"audience":[],"business-size":[],"product-tag":[],"funnel-stage":[],"region":[],"pain-point":[],"persona":[],"content_type":[],"post_features":[],"class_list":["post-19790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","resource-type-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/694"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19790"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19822,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19790\/revisions\/19822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"learn_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learn_topic?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"business-size","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business-size?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"product-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-tag?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"funnel-stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/funnel-stage?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"pain-point","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pain-point?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=19790"},{"taxonomy":"post_features","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_features?post=19790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}