On October 9, 2025, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) released new data showing the latest Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times across multiple streams. According to ESDC, processing times have either improved or remained steady for most categories except for the Permanent Residence Stream and High-Wage Stream, which saw a slight increase.

This update is crucial for Canadian employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and skilled workers planning to apply for jobs in Canada supported by an LMIA.

Latest LMIA Processing Times: October 2025 Update

Below are the average LMIA processing times across all ESDC processing centres as of September 2025:

While most categories are showing consistent or faster results, the Permanent Residence Stream remains the slowest, with processing averaging nearly 260 business days.

What Causes Variation in LMIA Processing Times?

Processing times for LMIA applications depend on multiple factors, including:

• The number of applications received by ESDC each month.
• The stream type (some require deeper labor market analysis).
• Whether the employer’s application is complete and error-free.
• Seasonal demand in sectors like agriculture and food production.

For example, the Global Talent Stream consistently maintains one of the fastest turnaround times at just 8 business days, making it ideal for employers seeking to hire highly skilled professionals in tech and innovation fields.

Understanding When LMIA Processing Starts and Ends

Your LMIA processing time begins once you submit a complete application through LMIA Online. An application is considered complete only when:

• All required documents are uploaded.
• The employer signs the necessary forms.
• The processing fee is paid (if applicable).

For Quebec-based employers offering jobs lasting more than 30 consecutive days, applications must also be submitted simultaneously to Service Canada and Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to start processing.

Processing ends when employers receive a decision letter either positive or negative. A positive LMIA allows the worker to proceed with their work permit application.

Why LMIA Processing Times Matter for Employers and Workers

For employers, timely LMIA results determine how quickly they can onboard international talent. For foreign workers, these times impact their work permit processing and overall Canada immigration timeline.

Faster LMIA approvals under streams like Global Talent and Agriculture help maintain Canada’s workforce stability, while slightly longer processing in other categories indicates higher demand and review complexity.

Employers planning future hires should anticipate these timelines and submit applications well in advance, especially for the Permanent Residence Stream, which continues to experience extended processing.

Latest LMIA Processing Times Help Employers Plan Efficiently

The ESDC update on LMIA processing times gives employers valuable insight into how long it currently takes to receive hiring approvals under various streams. With most categories seeing stable or improved processing times, now is a good opportunity for employers to begin their hiring process for 2025 and beyond.

If you’re an employer looking to hire foreign workers or a skilled worker seeking LMIA-supported employment in Canada, the team at ImmigCanada can help you prepare and submit a complete, compliant application to reduce processing delays.

Start Your LMIA Process with ImmigCanada

Our licensed immigration professionals at ImmigCanada assist employers and skilled professionals in navigating every step of the LMIA and work permit process. From documentation to submission and follow-ups, we ensure accuracy and speed. Contact ImmigCanada todayto get expert help with your LMIA application and accelerate your hiring or employment journey in Canada.