ESDC Updates LMIA Processing Times for Various Streams

On June 5, 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) released updated processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications across multiple streams. This update provides insights into the current average processing times based on data from all processing centers.

Significantly, the processing times for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program have decreased, highlighting an improvement in efficiency for this stream. Conversely, other streams have seen processing times either increase or remain the same, reflecting varying demands and processing capacities.

Here are the updated LMIA processing times:

• Global Talent Stream: 7 business days
• Agricultural Stream: 17 business days (increased by 4 days)
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 8 business days (decreased by 2 days)
• Permanent Residence Stream: 81 business days (increased by 1 day)
• High-Wage Stream: 43 business days
• Low-Wage Stream: 50 business days (increased by 4 days)

These updates underscore the importance of staying informed about the latest LMIA processing times, particularly for employers and workers navigating Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The decrease in processing time for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is particularly noteworthy. This improvement may positively impact the agricultural sector by ensuring that seasonal workers can arrive in Canada more swiftly to meet the demands of the harvest season.

On the other hand, the increased processing times for the Agricultural and Low-Wage streams, along with the slight increase for the Permanent Residence Stream, indicate ongoing challenges in these areas. Employers and prospective workers in these streams should plan accordingly, considering these updated timelines.

The Global Talent Stream continues to maintain a rapid processing time of 7 business days, reflecting Canada’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent in specialized fields. This stream’s efficiency helps ensure that Canadian businesses can quickly access highly skilled global talent to remain competitive in the international market.

Overall, these updates from ESDC provide valuable information for employers and applicants planning their LMIA submissions. Staying current with processing times can help in making informed decisions and managing expectations regarding the hiring of foreign workers.

For more detailed information and updates on LMIA processing times, visit the ESDC website and stay tuned to official announcements.