LMIAs are Moving Online: LMIA Online Portal Requirements and Features
Service Canada recently announced the LMIA system’s transition to fully online services through the LMIA Online Portal, starting April 2023. The LMIA Online Portal was introduced as a pilot during the COVID-19 pandemic and was quickly successful, providing more secure payment options, and an overall more legitimized and efficient process in comparison to the paper and PDF-based application. In addition, applicants were able to immediately receive their LMIA number, reducing turnaround time and speeding up other related processes.
As a result, Service Canada is now looking to transition away from the previously paper and PDF-based application system as part of their efforts to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and improve their clients’ experience while using their services.
However, while the distribution method for the LMIA system may have changed, the requirements remain the same allowing employers, or their third-party representatives submitting on their behalf, to submit an LMIA application. Employers and representatives must create a Job Bank Account, which allows them to be eligible to submit an LMIA application on the LMIA portal at any time.
In order to submit an LMIA, the portal requires the applicant to have a Job Bank Account as well as a Business Number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency. They are also required to meet specific employer eligibility requirements for their selected stream, including the Global Talent or High Wage streams. Employers must prove business legitimacy by providing documents supporting their claim, such as a lease agreement, tax documents, or recruitment documents.
With the LMIA portal and the completion of a Job Bank account, a variety of options are available to users including being able to securely pay any relevant LMIA fees, obtain real-time updates on the status of their LMIA application, and consult TFWP system experts in the case of any technical issues.
The LMIA Online Portal is currently operational, and accepting LMIA applications.
