The LMIA process isn’t just about offering a job—it’s about meeting every rule, form, and standard ESDC expects. Yet most rejections come down to a few repeat mistakes: bad ads, missing paperwork, unqualified reps
This guide breaks down the 7 most common LMIA mistakes employers make—plus exactly how to avoid them. If you’re hiring a foreign worker, these missteps could delay or derail your approval.
Let’s help you get it right the first time.
Mistake #1 – Failing to Prove There Are No Canadian Workers
Too often, employers post a generic job ad and think it’s enough. But if the platform isn’t ESDC-approved—or the listing lacks wage details or the correct job title—it’s game over.
The Result: Your Labour Market Impact Assessment gets rejected. No second chances. ESDC sees it as proof you didn’t try hard enough to hire locally.
What to Do Instead:
Stick to the rules with zero shortcuts:
- Use the Canada Job Bank and at least two other approved platforms
- Keep ads live for four full weeks, without gaps
- Match the ad title, duties, and NOC code across all documents
- Include wage, location, and employer name—clearly and consistently
This isn’t just paperwork—it’s your only way to prove the role was offered to Canadians first.
Mistake #2 – Submitting an Incomplete or Inconsistent Application
This one’s surprisingly common. Employers get halfway through the LMIA paperwork, then rush the rest—leaving blanks, uploading the wrong form, or forgetting a signature.
The Result: It doesn’t just slow things down. It shuts the whole LMIA process down. ESDC won’t ask you to fix it—they’ll reject it outright.
What to Do Instead:
Before you hit submit, do a proper audit:
- Use EMP5626 for high-wage jobs, EMP5627 for low-wage
- Make sure your job title, duties, and NOC code match—exactly
- Cross-check wages, hours, and contact info across all fields
- Never leave blanks. If a section doesn’t apply, write “N/A”
This is the paperwork that supports your case. Sloppy details cost approvals.
Mistake #3 – Using the Wrong Advertising Platforms or Format
Not all job ads are equal. Posting on Facebook or a niche job board might get you applicants—but it won’t count toward your LMIA. And if your ad leaves out the NOC code or posts for only a week, it’s just as bad.
The Result: The officer sees a non-compliant ad and rejects the file. Doesn’t matter how qualified the foreign worker is—you didn’t meet the LMIA process for employers.
What to Do Instead:
Get the format and platforms right:
- Use at least three platforms, including Job Bank
- Ads must run for four consecutive weeks
- Include full job title, NOC code, duties, wage, and location
- Keep screenshots with publish dates in case of an audit
It’s not just where you post—it’s how you format it. ESDC checks both.
Mistake #4 – Misclassifying Wage Levels or Job Duties
Some employers list a mid-level position under a low-wage LMIA. Others copy-paste duties from an outdated NOC code. Both can get flagged.
The Result: Your application is seen as misleading. The Labour Market Impact Assessment may be rejected—or worse, audited later.
What to Do Instead:
Get aligned from the start:
- Use the Canada Wage Reporting Tool to confirm wage thresholds
- Match your role to the current NOC version—check duties, not just job titles
- Clearly separate supervisory vs. entry-level tasks in the job description
ESDC doesn’t just skim this section—they audit it against market standards.
Mistake #5 – Ignoring Employer Eligibility Rules
It’s easy to assume that offering a job is enough. But here’s the part many employers miss—your business has to qualify, too. No paperwork? No proof you’re real? That application’s going nowhere.
The Result: Your LMIA isn’t just denied—it’s dismissed before anyone looks at the job offer. ESDC has strict LMIA employer requirements, and missing even one piece can get your file tossed.
What to Do Instead:
Make sure your application proves your company is solid:
- Start with your CRA number—this one’s non-negotiable
- Include real, recent revenue records (not just a logo and a website)
- Add a lease agreement, business license, or even a utility bill
- If you’ve had LMIA issues before, address them—don’t hope they’ll go unnoticed
This step isn’t just formality—it’s the foundation. If the business looks shaky, the LMIA won’t stand.
Mistake #6 – Using Unlicensed or Unverified LMIA Agents
Some employers hand off the entire LMIA process to someone they barely vet—because they “seem to know what they’re doing.” That’s a gamble that can get expensive fast.
The Result: If your consultant isn’t licensed or provides false documentation, ESDC won’t just reject the application—they might bar your business from applying again. And if money exchanged hands illegally? That’s a red flag no employer wants.
How to avoid LMIA rejection:
Work only with RCIC-licensed consultants or authorized reps listed on the official government portal. Before you trust anyone:
- Ask for their RCIC number and verify it
- Avoid anyone offering “guaranteed LMIAs” or taking cash-only deals
- Keep records of who submitted what—and when
- Know that under Canadian law, you, not the agent, are accountable
Cutting corners here can cost more than a rejection—it can damage your credibility long-term.
Mistake #7 – Ignoring Post-LMIA Compliance Requirements
Too many employers treat LMIA approval like a green light to forget the rules. It’s not. It’s a commitment—and it comes with strings.
The Result: Change the job duties, cut wages, or fail to keep records, and you’re setting yourself up for audits, fines, or even a future ban from the program.
What to Do Instead:
Keep your end of the deal after the LMIA lands:
- File the work permit paperwork immediately—don’t let it sit
- Stick to what was approved: wage, hours, and role must match
- Know your timeline: LMIA expiry, permit start, and potential PR triggers
- If things change—early exit, role switch—report it right away
- Expect a knock: surprise compliance inspections happen more than you’d think
Compliance doesn’t stop at approval. It lives in the details that follow.
Final Checklist – Review Before You Submit
Before you file your LMIA, run through these must-check boxes. One slip can mean weeks lost—or worse, a rejected application.
- Ads posted for 4 full weeks on 3 approved platforms
- All forms filled out completely—EMP5626 or EMP5627 as applicable
- Job title, duties, and NOC code match across documents
- Offered wage meets the current regional high/low wage threshold
- Employer details are fully supported (CRA number, financials, lease)
- Consultant (if used) is RCIC-licensed and verified
- You’re clear on post-approval steps: work permit, audits, reporting
Get this right, and you won’t just meet ESDC’s bar—you’ll move faster through the process.
What to Do Before You Submit
If you’ve spotted even one of these mistakes in your draft LMIA, fix it now—not after it’s rejected.
Before you send your application:
- Double-check your recruitment proof
- Match every form to your job offer
- Make sure your wage, NOC, and job duties align
- Verify your eligibility documents are complete
Still unsure? Don’t guess. Book a consultation with WEICS to review your application before submission and help you avoid rejection triggers.