Can you buy a Canadian LMIA from an employer?
Buying an LMIA is criminal fraud. ESDC issues LMIAs to employers based on labour-market evidence — they cannot be sold. Both buyer + seller face permanent bans + criminal charges.
The truth
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to a Canadian employer demonstrating that no qualified Canadian or PR was available to fill a specific job. The employer pays a $1,000 processing fee, advertises the role in Canada for 4+ weeks, documents the recruitment process, and submits the application. An approved LMIA enables a foreign worker to apply for a closed work permit AND adds 50-200 CRS points in Express Entry. Selling LMIAs — i.e. employers extracting payment from foreign workers in exchange for LMIA support — is illegal under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act + the Criminal Code. Both the employer and the worker face serious consequences: 5-year ban from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, public posting on the ESDC blacklist, criminal prosecution for misrepresentation, permanent ban on future Canadian immigration applications for the worker. IRCC + ESDC + CBSA actively investigate LMIA fraud. The 'LMIA Mill' scandal of 2023-2024 led to ~150 Canadian employers being suspended and ~3,000+ workers facing PR application refusals.
Why this rumour persists
Genuine employer-paid LMIAs (the employer pays the $1,000 ESDC fee) are common — predatory consultants and unethical employers exploit this by demanding worker reimbursement or kickbacks under the table.
What to actually do
- If an employer or recruiter asks YOU to pay any amount for an LMIA, it's fraud — report to ESDC Tip Line (1-866-602-9448) or CBSA Border Watch Line
- Legitimate LMIA: the employer pays the $1,000 fee, advertises the role on Job Bank + 2 other Canadian sites for 4+ weeks, demonstrates genuine recruitment
- Verify employer compliance history on the ESDC public list — check whether they've had recent LMIA approvals or violations
- Use an RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) or immigration lawyer — not unregulated 'agents' or 'recruiters'
- For pre-paid LMIA scams, you can apply for restoration of immigration status + report the employer — IRCC has provisions for victims of LMIA fraud