To meet the labour needs, the government of Canada gives employers in Canada an opportunity to hire foreign workers. Labour Market Impact Assessment(LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA or a confirmation letter declares that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job and there is a need for a foreign worker to fill in for the job.

Employers must meet specific requirements to recruit the foreign workers and are expected to uphold the conditions as set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Employers of temporary foreign workers are expected to be aware of their responsibilities and obligations under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Once the employer gets the LMIA, the foreign worker can then apply for a work permit with a valid job offer letter with a contract, and a copy of the LMIA.