Hire a temporary foreign worker through the Recognized Employer Pilot: Next steps

How your application is processed

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications are processed to determine the impact that hiring temporary foreign workers (TFWs) would have on Canada's labour market. As part of the assessment process, Service Canada ensures that the employer has met all program requirements.

For Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) applications, we also look at your history of program compliance and how often you use the program to fill in-demand occupations.

In accordance with amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Service Canada has the authority to temporarily suspend LMIA processing when there's reason to suspect that an employer isn't complying or hasn't complied with certain conditions in a manner that would put the health or safety of TFWs at serious risk.

Suspending the processing of an LMIA isn't a decision that Service Canada takes lightly. The intent is to protect TFWs from entering a potentially harmful workplace while Service Canada investigates the allegations. The LMIA processing suspension will be lifted as soon as it's known that the serious risk to TFWs' health or safety was unfounded or has been resolved.

Once the assessment process is complete, the employer will be notified in writing of the final decision of their LMIA application.

If you're accepted into the REP

If you're accepted into the REP, you'll receive recognized status and a Job Bank designation, increasing interest from prospective workers.

As a recognized employer, you can submit a simplified LMIA application in LMIA Online when hiring for positions on the REP occupations list.

The simplified application uses past information you've submitted to streamline processing when the occupation and work location are consistent with what was previously requested and approved for a particular program stream. If the LMIA is for an occupation or work location not previously approved, more information will be required to process the application.

If you're hiring for positions not found on the REP occupations list, you need to use the regular LMIA Online application.

If you're ineligible for the REP

If you're found ineligible for the REP, you'll receive a decision confirmation letter. The LMIA you submitted will still be processed, but with regular processing. 

REP eligibility decisions are final.