Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has recently published the most recent update on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) processing times.
Almost all streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) have witnessed changes in LMIA processing times. The permanent resident stream showed the most significant decrease (over three months), while the low-wage stream experienced a 10-day increase.
Changes in LMIA Processing Times
The processing time for an LMIA application varies based on factors such as the specific stream, application completeness, and the current application volume. Here is a comparison of LMIA processing times between April 2026 and 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 has shown a significant improvement in LMIA processing times, although it still has the longest wait time among all streams.