Starting January 9, 2026, the Canadian federal government resumed processing low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in eight additional regions across the country. This update brings relief to employers and foreign workers who were previously affected by regional restrictions under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Major regions such as Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Kingston are among those where low-wage LMIA processing has restarted. These regions were earlier restricted due to higher unemployment levels but have now become eligible after their unemployment rates dropped below the government’s benchmark.
Under current policy, low-wage LMIA applications are processed only in regions where the unemployment rate is below 6%. If the unemployment rate reaches or exceeds this threshold, LMIA processing under the low-wage stream is temporarily paused.
Without a positive or neutral LMIA, foreign nationals generally cannot apply for or extend a work permit under the TFWP, making these quarterly updates especially important for both employers and workers.
A job is considered part of the low-wage stream if the offered wage does not meet or exceed 120% of the regional median wage, or is lower than what the employer pays existing employees in the same role and location with similar experience whichever amount is higher.
Certain occupations remain exempt from these restrictions, including roles in primary agriculture, construction, and select front-line healthcare occupations.
The next update to the LMIA processing eligibility list is expected on April 10, 2026.
Regions Removed From Low-Wage LMIA Restrictions (Now Eligible)
The following census metropolitan areas (CMAs) have seen their unemployment rates fall below 6% and are now eligible for low-wage LMIA processing in the first quarter of 2026:
| Census Metropolitan Area | Previous Rate (%) | Updated Rate (%) |
| Halifax, NS | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| Moncton, NB | 7.3 | 5.5 |
| Saint John, NB | 7.3 | 5.8 |
| Fredericton, NB | 6.7 | 5.2 |
| Montréal, QC | 6.7 | 5.5 |
| Kingston, ON | 6.6 | 5.6 |
| Winnipeg, MB | 7.3 | 5.7 |
| Vancouver, BC | 6.8 | 5.9 |
Job offers in these regions were not eligible in the last quarter of 2025 but are now eligible for low-wage LMIA processing.
Regions Still Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIA Processing
(January 9 to April 9, 2026)
The following CMAs continue to have unemployment rates of 6% or higher and remain ineligible for low-wage LMIA processing:
| No. | Census Metropolitan Area | Unemployment Rate (%) |
| 1 | St. John’s, NL | 7.1 |
| 2 | Ottawa–Gatineau, ON/QC | 6.8 |
| 3 | Belleville–Quinte West, ON | 10.6 |
| 4 | Oshawa, ON | 8.0 |
| 5 | Toronto, ON | 7.5 |
| 6 | Hamilton, ON | 6.4 |
| 7 | St. Catharines–Niagara, ON | 6.5 |
| 8 | Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, ON | 8.1 |
| 9 | Brantford, ON | 8.5 |
| 10 | Guelph, ON | 7.4 |
| 11 | London, ON | 7.3 |
| 12 | Windsor, ON | 7.1 |
| 13 | Barrie, ON | 8.7 |
| 14 | Greater Sudbury, ON | 6.0 |
| 15 | Regina, SK | 6.3 |
| 16 | Lethbridge, AB | 7.2 |
| 17 | Calgary, AB | 6.3 |
| 18 | Red Deer, AB | 8.9 |
| 19 | Edmonton, AB | 6.9 |
| 20 | Kelowna, BC | 8.5 |
| 21 | Kamloops, BC | 6.6 |
| 22 | Chilliwack, BC | 7.3 |
| 23 | Abbotsford–Mission, BC | 6.4 |
| 24 | Nanaimo, BC | 6.3 |
Low-wage LMIA applications from these regions will not be processed during this period.
Why These Restrictions Exist
In August 2024, the federal government announced it would stop processing low-wage LMIA applications in regions with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. The goal of this policy is to encourage employers to hire workers already available in the local labour market.
Since then, unemployment data has been reviewed quarterly, with updated lists released to help employers and foreign workers plan accordingly.
Options for Employers in Restricted Regions
Employers operating in CMAs with unemployment rates of 6% or higher still have options. One key alternative is offering a wage that meets the high-wage stream requirements of the TFWP.
If the wage meets or exceeds the provincial threshold, the employer must apply under the high-wage LMIA stream instead of the low-wage stream.
High-Wage LMIA Thresholds by Province/Territory
| Province / Territory | Wage Threshold (CAD/hour) |
| Alberta | 36.00 |
| British Columbia | 36.60 |
| Manitoba | 30.16 |
| New Brunswick | 30.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 32.40 |
| Northwest Territories | 48.00 |
| Nova Scotia | 30.00 |
| Nunavut | 42.00 |
| Ontario | 36.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 30.00 |
| Quebec | 34.62 |
| Saskatchewan | 33.60 |
| Yukon | 44.40 |
Another option is to wait for the next quarterly update if the region’s unemployment rate improves.
Guidance for Foreign Workers
Foreign nationals can focus on job opportunities in occupations that are exempt from low-wage LMIA processing restrictions, including:
- Primary agriculture
- Construction
- Food manufacturing
- Hospitals
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Certain in-home caregiver roles
- Short-term positions (120 days or less) meeting specific criteria
- Roles supporting permanent residence only
Foreign workers whose low-wage work permits cannot be extended must stop working once their status expires. They may apply for a visitor record if they wish to remain in Canada temporarily.
Those who secure a new job with a different employer may be eligible to begin working while their application is being processed, provided they meet specific requirements.
How to Check if a Job Location Is Affected
To determine whether a job offer is located in an impacted region:
- Visit the Census of Population website.
- Enter the full postal code of the work location.
- Check whether the location falls under a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).
If the CMA is listed as ineligible, low-wage LMIA applications will not be processed for the next three months. Locations outside a CMA or classified as a census agglomeration remain eligible.
