Indians Shift to LMIA Route Amid Canada Student Caps

May 15, 2024

The Canadian government put a limit on the number of foreign students it would accept in January. This had a big effect on people from India and other countries who wanted to study there. The goal of this two-year strategy is to control the high number of immigrants who have put a strain on local resources. The limit will lower the number of accepted study permits from 390,000 in 2023 to about 360,000 in 2024, a 35% drop.

Emergence of the LMIA as an Alternative Route

With the new limits on student visas, a lot of Indians who want to move to the United States are looking for other ways to do it. The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) program is becoming more popular. Because of the LMIA, Canadian companies can hire foreign workers if they can’t find any good Canadian options. An approved LMIA shows that a foreign worker is needed and is often the first step in getting a work permit.

Popularity of LMIA Among Indians

Getting more popular: Foreign workers are seeing the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) pathway as a good choice to other ways to immigrate.
Problems with Student Visas: New limits and caps have made it harder and more competitive to get a student visa, which is pushing people to look for other choices like the LMIA.
Dealing with Labour Shortages: Canada has big problems with not having enough workers in some areas, like technology, healthcare, and farming. The LMIA route makes it possible for foreign workers to come to Canada and work.
Cost Advantages: Getting an LMIA is usually cheaper at first than getting a study visa.
Possible Extra Costs: While it may seem cheaper at first, some applicants may have to pay extra to speed up their LMIA applications, based on how quickly they need them and their specific job situation.

What is the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a report that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) gives out to look at how hiring a foreign worker will affect the job market in Canada. A labour market impact assessment (LMIA) checks to see if a foreign worker is needed and where there are no open Canadian workers. People from other countries can get work permits if their LMIAs are approved. It is important to note that LMIAs are tied to a particular employer and job, and they have expiration dates. From a few weeks to a few months, processing times depend on the stream and the area. Most employers have to pay CAD 1,000 per job for an LMIA, but some agricultural positions don’t have to pay anything. Employers must also show that they have tried to hire people in Canada before applying.

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