Employers relying on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program are facing longer waits in two of its most commonly used streams. LMIA processing times have increased for both the high-wage and low-wage streams of the TFWP, according to the latest data released by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on July 9, reflecting June 2026 figures.
While two key streams saw wait times climb, the broader picture is more mixed—three other streams actually saw LMIA processing times decline, most notably the permanent resident stream, which fell by roughly two weeks. Understanding exactly which streams are moving in which direction is essential for employers and foreign workers navigating the current system.
Quick Highlights : LMIA Processing Times
- LMIA processing times for the high-wage stream rose from 64 days to 79 days—a 15-day increase
- The low-wage stream climbed from 61 days to 71 days, now sitting at more than 10 weeks
- The permanent resident stream saw the sharpest improvement, dropping 15 days to 99 days
- The Global Talent Stream and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program both saw modest declines
- The agricultural stream held steady at 22 days with no change
- Canada’s 2026 TFWP admission target has been cut to 60,000, down 82,000 from 2025
- From January to April 2026, TFWP admissions fell 25.6% year-over-year
Full Breakdown: How LMIA Processing Times Changed From May to June
ESDC’s latest update compares June 2026 processing figures directly against the previously reported May 2026 data, revealing clear divergence across different TFWP streams.
| TFWP Stream/Program | May 2026 | June 2026 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Talent Stream | 10 days | 9 days | −1 day |
| Agricultural Stream | 22 days | 22 days | No change |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 11 days | 9 days | −2 days |
| High-Wage Stream | 64 days | 79 days | +15 days |
| Low-Wage Stream | 61 days | 71 days | +10 days |
| Permanent Resident Stream | 114 days | 99 days | −15 days |
This table makes clear that LMIA processing times are not moving uniformly across the system. Some streams are speeding up considerably, while others—particularly those most commonly used by employers hiring foreign workers into ongoing roles—are slowing down.
Why High-Wage and Low-Wage Stream LMIA Processing Times Are Rising
The most significant deterioration in this update came from the TFWP’s high-wage stream, where LMIA processing times jumped by more than two weeks after remaining stable at 64 days since April 2026. This 15-day increase to 79 days represents the single largest change recorded in ESDC’s entire June dataset.
The low-wage stream was the only other category to see LMIA processing times increase, climbing 10 days to reach 71 days—now comfortably past the 10-week mark. It’s worth noting that under the low-wage stream, the government does not process LMIA applications in census metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate sits at 6% or higher, a restriction that adds an additional layer of complexity for employers in affected regions.
Together, these two streams cover a significant share of employer LMIA applications across Canada, meaning the practical impact of these rising LMIA processing times will be felt broadly across multiple industries and regions.
Where LMIA Processing Times Are Improving
Not every category is trending in the wrong direction. Every other stream tracked by ESDC saw LMIA processing times either decline or hold steady, with the sole exception of the agricultural stream, which remained flat at 22 days—a program under which employers can hire workers for up to 24 months.
The permanent resident stream delivered the most dramatic improvement of any category, with LMIA processing times falling to 99 days—dropping 15 days from May and continuing a steady, sustained decline. To put this improvement in full context, the permanent resident stream sat at a 38-week wait time as recently as November 2025. The current figure of just over 14 weeks represents a substantial and continuing recovery in this specific category.
The Global Talent Stream also improved modestly, falling to just 9 days, while the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program dropped two days to reach the same 9-day mark—both remaining among the fastest-processing categories within the entire TFWP system.
An Important Caveat: Advertising Periods Are Not Included
It’s critical for employers reviewing these LMIA processing times to understand what the published figures actually measure. ESDC’s reported timelines exclude the minimum advertising period that employers must complete before submitting an LMIA application. This mandatory advertising window ranges from 14 days to eight weeks, depending on the specific stream being used.
This means the real-world timeline an employer experiences—from beginning recruitment efforts to receiving a final LMIA decision—is considerably longer than the raw processing time figures suggest, particularly for streams requiring the longest advertising periods.
How LMIAs Fit Into the TFWP Hiring Process
Understanding why LMIA processing times matter requires understanding their role in the broader hiring pathway. Before a foreign national can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the TFWP, the Canadian employer must first obtain a positive or neutral LMIA from ESDC.
This assessment confirms that the employer made genuine efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but could not fill the role, and that hiring a foreign worker is not expected to negatively affect the Canadian labour market. Employers must meet specific criteria before submitting an LMIA application, including satisfying required advertising timelines and recruitment methods.
Once a neutral or positive LMIA is issued, the employer must provide the foreign worker with both the LMIA decision letter and a job offer letter, both of which are required documents when the worker submits their work permit application to IRCC. While ESDC recommends a work duration based on labour market impact, IRCC ultimately makes the final decision on the work permit expiry date.
An LMIA is generally valid for up to six months, meaning the foreign worker must apply for their work permit before that window closes, or the LMIA becomes invalid entirely—adding further urgency to understanding current LMIA processing times before beginning the application process.
Where to Find LMIA-Supported Job Postings
Foreign nationals actively seeking an LMIA-supported role can consult the Canada Job Bank, which at the time of writing lists more than 5,700 job postings from employers who have either already received an LMIA or have an application currently in progress.
In certain circumstances, foreign nationals may also be able to apply for a work permit under the TFWP even before their employer has received a final LMIA decision, under IRCC’s concurrent processing measures—an option worth exploring for time-sensitive hiring situations.
The Bigger Picture: Declining TFWP Admissions
The shifting LMIA processing times documented in this update are unfolding against a backdrop of significantly reduced program targets. The federal government has set a target of just 60,000 temporary foreign worker admissions through the TFWP for 2026—a reduction of 82,000 compared to the 2025 target.
From January to April 2026, only 14,655 workers entered Canada under the program, representing a 25.6% drop from the same period in 2025 and a steep 53.6% decline from 2024. This reduction reflects Ottawa’s broader strategy to bring the temporary resident share of Canada’s population below 5% by 2027.
Lower overall TFWP admissions could gradually ease pressure on LMIA processing times going forward, simply by reducing the total volume of applications submitted and approved. A similar pattern is visible in the International Mobility Program, which facilitates LMIA-exempt work permits and has seen planned admissions fall from 285,750 in 2025 to 170,000 in 2026, with actual IMP admissions down 15.3% year-over-year between January and April.
What Employers Should Do Now
Given the current divergence in LMIA processing times, employers using the high-wage or low-wage streams should factor the longer 79-day and 71-day timelines into their hiring plans, and begin the mandatory advertising period well in advance of any anticipated start date. Employers using the permanent resident stream can expect meaningfully faster turnaround than in previous months, given the sustained improvement to 99 days.
All employers should ensure their applications are complete and meet every advertising and recruitment requirement upfront, since incomplete submissions remain a common cause of delay across every TFWP stream.
Key Takeaways Of LMIA Processing Times
LMIA processing times moved in two clear directions in June 2026: high-wage and low-wage streams both slowed considerably, while the permanent resident stream, Global Talent Stream, and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program all continued to improve. With overall TFWP admissions targets cut sharply for 2026, employers and foreign workers alike should monitor these figures closely, as reduced application volume may gradually ease pressure on the streams currently experiencing delays.
FAQs : LMIA Processing Times
Which LMIA processing times increased in June 2026?
The high-wage stream rose from 64 to 79 days, and the low-wage stream rose from 61 to 71 days—the only two streams to see increases in ESDC’s June update.
Which stream saw the biggest improvement in LMIA processing times?
The permanent resident stream improved most significantly, falling 15 days to 99 days, continuing a steady decline from 38 weeks in November 2025.
Do published LMIA processing times include the advertising period?
No. ESDC’s figures exclude the mandatory advertising period employers must complete before submitting an application, which ranges from 14 days to eight weeks depending on the stream.
How long is an LMIA valid once approved?
An LMIA is generally valid for up to six months. The foreign worker must apply for a work permit before this period expires, or the LMIA becomes invalid.
Why might LMIA processing times improve going forward?
Canada’s TFWP admission target has been cut to 60,000 for 2026, down 82,000 from 2025. Reduced application volume from lower overall admissions could ease processing pressure across affected streams over time.
Source : CIC News
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