LMIA Processing Times Decline Across Temporary Foreign Worker Program Streams

In September, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times saw significant reductions across various streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The most notable decrease was observed in the permanent resident stream, reaching its lowest level in 2026.

While some TFWP streams experienced slight increases in LMIA processing times, the majority saw decreases. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) recently released the processing time data for September 2026, showing improvements in processing efficiency.

Changes in LMIA Processing Times from August to September

The processing time for an LMIA application can vary based on factors like the submission stream, completeness of documentation, and the volume of applications in queue. Here is a comparison of LMIA processing times between August and September for different TFWP streams:

• Global Talent Stream: 9 days in September, down by 1 day from August
• Agricultural Stream: 22 days in September, a decrease of 3 days from August
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 7 days in September, an increase of 1 day from August
• High-wage Stream: 98 days in September, up by 8 days from August
• Low-wage Stream: 82 days in September, no change from August
• Permanent Resident Stream: 79 days in September, a significant decrease of 77 days from August

It’s important to note that the processing times mentioned do not include the mandatory advertising period before submitting an LMIA application. This period can vary from 14 days to eight weeks depending on the stream.