ESDC Updates LMIA Processing Time Canada in June 2025: Faster Approvals for Most Streams
June 12, 2025
As of June 10, 2025, LMIA Processing Time Canada was revised after Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) revealed new labour market impact assessment (LMIA) processing times for a number of streams. The new update indicates enhanced efficiency as well as the desire to improve Canada’s temporary and permanent labour market programs.
For employers and immigration professionals, faster LMIA processing times signal a positive step toward streamlining the hiring process for foreign talent, especially in critical sectors. If you’re considering hiring foreign workers or assisting clients in doing so, this update could significantly impact your timelines and strategies.
Key Highlights of the Updated LMIA Processing Time Canada
ESDC has supplied average processing times for LMIA applications in different streams, as derived from all national processing centres’ statistics. All of these streams have experienced a significant reduction in turnaround time, allowing employers to recruit foreign workers more easily and efficiently.
These enhancements directly serve to make the LMIA Processing Time Canada more efficient, enabling employers to schedule their recruitment campaign more confidently. The following is a rundown of the updated times:
- Global Talent Stream: 7 business days (1 day faster)
- Agricultural Stream: 14 business days (1 day faster)
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 8 business days (unchanged)
- High-Wage Stream: 50 business days (11 days faster)
- Low-Wage Stream: 50 business days (11 days faster)
These updates reflect a strategic effort by the Canadian government to support workforce needs and respond effectively to labour market demands across multiple sectors.
What This Means for Canadian Employers?
The accelerated LMIA processing times in high-priority streams like the Global Talent Stream, Agricultural Stream, High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams are particularly useful for Canadian employers when they have immediate labour shortages.
- Global Talent Stream candidates now enjoy a stunning turnaround in only 7 business days, enabling tech employers and innovation businesses to hire highly skilled workers sooner than ever before.
- The Agricultural Stream, crucial to Canada’s agri-food and farm sectors, similarly enjoys a processing time of only 14 business days, facilitating seasonal hiring initiatives during busy periods.
- Both the High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams currently take an average of 50 business days, a decrease of 11 business days in processing time. This shift is particularly good news for construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and caregiving employers.
Supporting Canada’s Economic and Workforce Goals
With these enhancements, ESDC is showing a firm commitment to enabling Canada’s long-term economic objectives through quicker access to foreign labour. The LMIA Processing Time Canada update indicates a streamlined system that assists Canadian employers in addressing timely workforce demands.
The LMIA process continues to be a vital step for employers to prove the necessity of a foreign worker and confirm that their employment will not harm the domestic labour market.
The lowered processing times are also part of the larger process of modernizing immigration programs, enhancing service delivery, and assisting industries experiencing ongoing skill shortages.
Why This Matters for Immigration Professionals and Job Seekers
For immigration consultants, lawyers, and job seekers, this update brings several advantages:
- Faster results mean better service for clients and quicker transition for foreign workers.
- Improved employer satisfaction, especially in high-demand sectors that rely on temporary foreign labour.
- Greater predictability in planning and executing hiring strategies.
If you are assisting clients with LMIA applications or exploring pathways for work in Canada, now is the time to leverage the improved LMIA Processing Time Canada to your advantage.
How Can We Help?
We understand how crucial timely approvals are when navigating Canadian immigration pathways. Whether you’re an employer seeking to hire skilled talent or a professional planning your journey to Canada, our team is here to simplify the process and help you make the most of the updated LMIA Processing Time Canada offers today.
We offer:
- Comprehensive LMIA application support
- Employer compliance consultation
- Work permit and visa services
- Ongoing assistance from application to approval
Our immigration experts are always up to date with the latest policy changes and are ready to guide you through every step of your hiring or migration journey.
What is the implied status while waiting for the LMIA?
During the time they are waiting for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to be finalized, the implied status is a function of the status of the applicant while in Canada. If a foreign worker is presently in Canada and has submitted an application to renew or shift their work permit before the existing permit expires, they can be permitted to continue working under implied status until the decision is made.
Implied status, though, does not necessarily apply just because an employer has submitted an LMIA application. It only matters if a new work permit application or an extension of a work permit has been filed concurrently or after that.
Employers and employees must know that the LMIA Processing Time Canada is not the same across all streams, taking anywhere from a few weeks to months, so it is necessary to plan accordingly to prevent status gaps or employment interruption.
If you want to know more details about “ESDC Updates LMIA Processing Time Canada in June 2025: Faster Approvals for Most Streams“ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.
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