On August 5, 2025, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) released updated processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications.
New Processing Times
- Global Talent Stream: 9 business days
- Agricultural Stream: 14 business days
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 7 business days (1 day faster)
- Permanent Residence Stream: 254 business days (14 days longer)
- High-wage Stream: 37 business days (4 days faster)
- Low-wage Stream: 41 business days (4 days faster)
Key Trends
- Faster Turnaround has been seen in most streams, including High-wage and Low-wage (reduced by 4 days).
- Permanent Residence Stream processing times increased significantly, up by 14 days, now at 254 business days.
Implications
- Agriculture Wins: Quicker times in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program benefit farming industries during peak seasons.
- Business Gains: Reduced delays in High-wage and Low-wage streams help employers meet labor demands faster.
- Challenges Remain: The Permanent Residence Stream’s delays may impact workforce planning and require alternative strategies.
The updates reflect improvements in efficiency but highlight the need for further adjustments in specific areas.
