LMIA wait periods improve for several TFWP streams, i.e., Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released its latest update on Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application timelines.
The newest figures show changes across most streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). While some streams experienced longer wait periods, others moved faster. The biggest improvement was recorded under the permanent resident stream, where average wait periods dropped by more than three months. At the same time, the low-wage stream saw the largest increase.
ESDC, the federal department responsible for reviewing LMIA applications, published updated figures for April 2026 on May 15, 2026.
How Have LMIA Application Timelines Changed?
The average time required to receive an LMIA decision can vary depending on several factors. These include the type of application submitted, whether all required documents are included, and the number of applications being handled by ESDC at a given time.
The table below compares LMIA application timelines for April 2026 with the previous update from February 2026.
| TFWP Stream/Program | February 2026 | April 2026 | Difference |
| Global talent stream | 12 days | 8 days | -4 days |
| Agricultural stream | 15 days | 21 days | +6 days |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 10 days | 10 days | — |
| High-wage stream | 60 days | 64 days | +4 days |
| Low-wage stream | 48 days | 58 days | +10 days |
| Permanent resident stream | 244 days | 140 days | -104 days |
The permanent resident stream recorded the largest improvement among all categories. Although it still has the longest wait period, the drop of 104 days marks a significant change compared with the previous update.
The low-wage stream experienced the largest increase. This stream is used by employers hiring workers whose wages fall below the wage threshold set by their province or territory.
The Global Talent Stream continued to perform strongly. Average wait periods fell from 12 days to 8 days, bringing the stream back within ESDC’s 10-day service target. This stream is designed to help employers fill highly skilled positions more quickly.
The Agricultural Stream recorded a six-day increase. Employers hiring workers for primary agricultural activities may therefore face slightly longer waiting periods before receiving a decision.
Meanwhile, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program remained unchanged at 10 days.
The High-Wage Stream saw only a small increase, with average wait periods rising by four days.
Note: Under the TFWP’s low-wage stream, LMIA eligibility is restricted in regions where the unemployment rate is 6% or lower. The federal government reviews these regional eligibility rules every quarter.
Why Do LMIAs Matter For Temporary Foreign Workers?
Before most foreign nationals can apply for a closed work permit through the TFWP, the employer must first receive a positive or neutral LMIA from ESDC.
This document confirms two important points:
- The employer was unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position; and
- Hiring a foreign worker is not expected to have a negative effect on Canada’s labour market.
After receiving a positive or neutral LMIA decision, the employer can provide the foreign worker with the LMIA decision letter and a formal job offer.
The worker can then use these documents to submit an employer-specific work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The period a worker may stay and work in Canada depends on the validity of the work permit. This period is separate from the LMIA itself and is based on the work duration recommended by ESDC during the LMIA assessment.
Some foreign nationals may qualify for IRCC’s concurrent processing measures. These measures allow eligible workers to apply for a work permit before the LMIA decision is finalized.
Foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities in Canada can also search the Canada Job Bank. The platform currently lists more than 4,700 positions from employers who have either received or applied for an LMIA.
Temporary Foreign Worker Admissions Continue To Decline
Canada plans to admit fewer temporary foreign workers through the TFWP in 2026.
The federal government has set a target of 60,000 admissions under the program this year. This is lower than the 82,000 admissions planned for 2025.
The reduction forms part of Canada’s broader goal of lowering the share of temporary residents in the country to below 5% of the population by 2027.
Recent figures show that admissions have already started to decline. Between January and March 2026, Canada admitted 8,240 new workers through the TFWP. This represents a decrease of 31.2% compared with the same period in 2025.
Lower admission targets could eventually reduce the number of LMIA applications submitted by employers. If application volumes continue to fall, wait periods may improve further across some streams.
The federal government has also reduced admissions under the International Mobility Program, which covers LMIA-exempt work permits. Planned admissions under that program have dropped from 285,750 in 2025 to 170,000 in 2026.
These changes reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to manage temporary resident levels while continuing to address labour shortages in key sectors of the economy.
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