LMIA processing restrictions lifted in 8 Canadian regions, including Halifax, Winnipeg and more | ImmigraCan

LMIA processing restrictions lifted in 8 Canadian regions, including Halifax, Winnipeg and more

On 2026-07-10, the Canadian immigration landscape saw a relevant update for Brazilians who are planning or already in process with IRCC. The information comes from CIC News (original source), a network specialized in Canadian immigration.

The LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is the authorization that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) grants to a Canadian employer before they can hire a foreign national. For Brazilians who want a job offer in Canada without going through Express Entry or a PNP, understanding LMIA is essential.

How LMIA fits into your strategy

There are two main streams:

• High-wage LMIA — for positions above the provincial median wage (easier to approve)
• Low-wage LMIA — for positions below the median (more restrictive, with regional quotas)

An approved LMIA allows the employer to offer a closed work permit (tied to that specific employer) and, depending on the NOC, that job offer also grants 50 or 200 extra points on the CRS.

Impact for Brazilians

If you already have a job offer in Canada:

1. Confirm with the employer whether they obtained an LMIA — many employers promise sponsorship without knowing the process
2. Check the NOC of the position — TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 grant Express Entry points; TEER 4 and 5 only allow a work permit
3. Be prepared to pay the LMIA fee (CAD 1,000) — the employer normally pays it, but negotiate this from the start
4. Realistic timeline: LMIA plus work permit for a Brazilian takes 4 to 9 months in total

Alternatives if LMIA isn't feasible

Not every job needs an LMIA. Check these out:

• CUSMA/USMCA: doesn't apply to Brazilians, but if you also hold Mexican citizenship, it may work for you
• IEC (International Experience Canada): Brazilians aged 18–35 can apply under the bilateral agreement
• PGWP: if you studied in Canada, you get an open work permit after graduation
• PNP with a job offer: some PNPs accept a job offer without an LMIA (Ontario Employer Job Offer, for example)

To understand which path is yours, take the free quiz or explore all the programs.

The current TFWP context

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) — of which LMIA is a part — went through several changes in 2024 and 2025, with the government tightening rules for the low-wage stream due to concerns about exploitation and the effect on the local labor market. In 2026, the pendulum has been swinging back toward balance: some restrictions have been eased in regions with low unemployment (like Halifax and Winnipeg), while overall enforcement has increased.

Conclusion

IRCC policy changes affect Brazilians differently depending on profile, application stage, and current status. This is just a snapshot of a 2026-07-10 update — for the full picture of your case, take ImmigraCan's free eligibility quiz.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official information at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a specialized lawyer. Source: CIC News.*