Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released its latest LMIA processing time update for April 2026, showing significant improvements in several Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) streams while other streams experienced modest increases.
The data, published on May 15, 2026, compares current processing times against the previous update from February 2026.
LMIA Processing Time Changes (April 2026 vs February 2026)
| TFWP Stream | Feb 2026 | Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No change |
| 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 |
Biggest Improvements
Global Talent Stream: LMIA processing is once again within ESDC’s 10-day service standard at just 8 days, down from 12 days in February. This stream facilitates faster LMIA and work permit processing for select tech employers and specialized workers.
Permanent Resident Stream: The sharpest improvement came in this category, dropping by over three months from 244 days to 140 days. Despite the dramatic reduction, this stream still records the longest wait time among all TFWP streams.
Streams That Got Slower
Low-Wage Stream: The biggest increase in processing time, rising 10 days to 58 days. This applies to employers hiring workers at wages below the provincial or territorial threshold. Note that low-wage LMIA processing is limited to regions where the unemployment rate is 6% or lower, with eligibility reassessed quarterly.
Agricultural Stream: Wait times rose by almost one week to 21 days, extending processing for employers hiring workers in on-farm primary agriculture.
High-Wage Stream: The most modest increase at just 4 days, rising from 60 to 64 days.
What Is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that employers must obtain before hiring a foreign worker through the TFWP. A neutral or positive LMIA demonstrates that:
- No Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available to fill the position
- Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact Canada’s labour market
Once the employer receives a positive LMIA and job offer, the foreign national can apply for an employer-specific work permit from IRCC.
Context: Fewer TFWP Admissions in 2026
Canada’s 2026 admissions target for TFWP workers is 60,000, down significantly from 82,000 in 2025. Between January and March 2026, Canada admitted only 8,240 new TFWP workers — a 31.2% decrease from the same period in 2025.
The International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt work permits) has also been scaled back, from 285,750 in 2025 to 170,000 in 2026. These reductions are part of the federal government’s goal to keep temporary residents below 5% of Canada’s population by 2027.
As fewer work permits are issued, the volume of LMIA applications may also decline, which could further shorten processing times in the coming months.