Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has updated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times for Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) streams as of April 2026.
• The permanent resident stream saw the largest decrease, from 244 days in February 2026 to 140 days in April 2026. • Low-wage stream processing increased from 48 to 58 days, applicable only in regions with unemployment ≤6%, reassessed quarterly. • Global Talent Stream applications are now processed within the 10-day service standard. • Agricultural Stream wait times rose from 15 to 21 days; Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program remains at 10 days. • High-wage stream increased slightly from 60 to 64 days.
Before a foreign national can apply for a closed work permit, employers must obtain a neutral or positive LMIA demonstrating that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available and that hiring will not negatively impact the labour market. The LMIA decision letter is then used to submit an employer-specific work permit application to IRCC. Work duration is based on the LMIA recommendation.
Canada’s 2026 TFWP admissions target is 60,000, down from 82,000 in 2025. International Mobility Program admissions are also reduced from 285,750 to 170,000.
Takeaway: LMIA wait times are improving for some streams, especially permanent residents and Global Talent, but low-wage and agricultural streams may experience longer waits; employers must secure LMIAs to hire foreign workers legally.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
