Are you planning to work in Canada? If you’re applying for a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), you might be a bit confused about what the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) means for you. Let’s break it down!

Your LMIA is just one piece of the puzzle. While it has its own validity period, that doesn’t dictate how long you can actually work in Canada. Instead, it’s your TFWP work permit that determines your stay. So, what’s the difference? The work duration on your permit is influenced by the recommendations from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) based on your employer's LMIA application.

For example, if you're hired as a mechanical engineer by a Canadian company, your employer must apply for an LMIA before you can get your work permit. Once that’s done, you can expect to work based on the duration set in your permit, which can be longer than the LMIA validity itself!

Don’t worry; if you need to extend your work permit, you can do so—just remember you’ll need your employer to apply for a new LMIA. It’s crucial to do this before your current work permit expires to maintain your status and keep working. Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm and let’s explore your options!