If you’re a Canadian employer struggling to fill positions, or a skilled professional in India or the Middle East dreaming of working in Canada, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) may be your key to success.
An LMIA is the government’s way of ensuring that hiring a foreign worker won’t hurt Canada’s job market. But for most businesses and applicants, the process feels overwhelming. Applications get refused for simple errors, timelines stretch endlessly, and both employers and workers lose valuable opportunities.
This is where working with an LMIA Consultant in Surrey changes everything. At Immiquest Immigration Consulting Inc., we specialize in affordable, trusted LMIA services for Surrey employers and international workers. With offices in Surrey and Vancouver, and clients across India and the Middle East, we provide expert guidance that makes your LMIA journey smoother, faster, and more successful.
What is an LMIA and Why It Matters
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers. Without it, many work permits and permanent residency pathways are not possible.
For employers in Surrey, an LMIA:
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Proves there’s no Canadian available for the job.
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Allows them to legally hire a foreign worker.
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Helps fill labour shortages in industries like construction, trucking, healthcare, and IT.
For foreign workers from India and the Middle East, an LMIA:
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Makes them eligible for a Canadian work permit.
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Adds 50–200 points to their Express Entry CRS score.
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Opens a pathway to permanent residency (PR).
In short, an LMIA is a gateway — for employers to grow their workforce and for workers to secure their Canadian future.
Types of LMIA in Canada
Not all LMIA applications are the same. Knowing which type applies to you is critical:
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High-Wage LMIA
For jobs that pay at or above the provincial median wage. Employers must submit transition plans showing how they’ll eventually hire Canadians. -
Low-Wage LMIA
For jobs below the median wage. Employers face stricter rules, like limits on how many foreign workers they can hire. -
LMIA for Permanent Residency
These support foreign workers applying through Express Entry, giving them valuable CRS points. -
Agricultural LMIA
Special rules apply for seasonal or year-round agricultural workers. -
Caregiver LMIA
For families hiring foreign caregivers to look after children, elderly parents, or people with disabilities.
At Immiquest Immigration Consulting Inc., we evaluate your situation to determine the correct LMIA stream — because applying under the wrong stream almost always leads to rejection.
The Step-by-Step LMIA Process
Here’s how LMIA works when you partner with a professional LMIA Consultant in Surrey:
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Employer Eligibility Assessment
We confirm that your Surrey business qualifies and identify the right LMIA category. -
Recruitment Efforts
Employers must advertise the position across multiple platforms to show they tried to hire Canadians. -
Document Preparation
Our consultants prepare job descriptions, recruitment records, compliance letters, and forms. -
Submission to ESDC
A complete LMIA package is filed on your behalf. -
Employer Interview
Sometimes ESDC officers call employers for clarification. We prepare you for this. -
Approval or Refusal
If approved, a positive LMIA is issued. If refused, we identify issues and refile stronger. -
Worker Application
Once the LMIA is approved, foreign workers can apply for their Canadian work permits or use it to boost Express Entry profiles.
Why Choose Immiquest as Your LMIA Consultant in Surrey?
1. Local Expertise in Surrey
We know the Surrey labour market, its industries, and employer needs. This helps us design applications that align with local realities.
2. Affordable Immigration Services
We provide affordable LMIA consulting with transparent pricing. No hidden charges — just clear, upfront fees.
3. Global Reach
With clients in India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, we understand the document requirements and challenges faced by applicants abroad.
4. Compliance Support
We ensure employers meet every compliance requirement to avoid penalties and audits.
5. High Success Rate
Our proven process has helped both Surrey employers and international workers achieve LMIA approvals quickly and reliably.
LMIA Updates in 2025 — What Employers & Workers Must Know
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Increased Scrutiny: Employers face stricter compliance checks. Mistakes in wage offers or recruitment can lead to refusals.
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High Demand Jobs: Healthcare, trucking, IT, and construction roles are prioritized in Surrey and across BC.
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Processing Times: LMIA approvals typically take 8–12 weeks, but complete, well-prepared applications can be processed faster.
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Express Entry Boost: LMIA-backed job offers continue to add significant CRS points, making them critical for PR applicants.
How We Help Employers in Surrey
Employers often struggle with paperwork and compliance. As your LMIA Consultant in Surrey, we:
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Draft job ads and ensure they meet government standards.
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Keep detailed recruitment records.
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Prepare and file the full LMIA package.
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Support employers during compliance checks and interviews.
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Provide ongoing immigration guidance to employers hiring multiple workers.
How We Help Workers in India & the Middle East
Foreign workers face different challenges — from preparing documents to proving qualifications. We provide:
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Resume preparation in Canadian format.
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Guidance on required certifications and proof of experience.
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Work permit filing once LMIA is approved.
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Advice on using LMIA to strengthen Express Entry applications.
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Step-by-step support until permanent residency.
Life in Surrey for LMIA Workers
For foreign workers arriving through LMIA, Surrey is an excellent place to settle:
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Affordable housing compared to Vancouver.
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Employment opportunities across trades, healthcare, and IT.
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Diverse communities with strong Indian and Middle Eastern presence.
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Schools and colleges for families with children.
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Public transit and infrastructure to make commuting easier.
We don’t just stop at immigration — we also guide new workers with settlement resources in Surrey.
FAQs About LMIA and Work Permits
Q1: How long does LMIA take in Surrey?
8–12 weeks, depending on employer readiness and application completeness.
Q2: Can workers in India and UAE apply directly?
Yes, but the employer must file the LMIA. Workers then apply for a work permit after approval.
Q3: What are the government fees for LMIA?
Employers pay CAD $1,000 per position.
Q4: Does LMIA guarantee PR?
No, but it adds CRS points and opens a pathway to PR.
Q5: Which jobs get LMIA faster?
Healthcare, trucking, construction, caregiving, and IT roles are high in demand.
Q6: Can families join LMIA workers?
Yes, spouses may qualify for open work permits and children can study in Canada.
Q7: What happens if LMIA is refused?
We analyze refusal reasons, correct issues, and refile stronger applications.
Q8: Is LMIA the only way to hire foreign workers?
No, there are LMIA-exempt categories like intra-company transfers or trade agreements, but most require LMIA.
Q9: Can small businesses apply for LMIA?
Yes, as long as they can show genuine need and financial ability to hire.
Q10: How can an LMIA Consultant in Surrey help employers?
By ensuring accuracy, saving time, reducing risk of refusal, and guiding compliance at every step.
Why Immiquest Immigration is the Best LMIA Consultant in Surrey
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Offices in Surrey & Vancouver for local employers.
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Trusted by workers in India & Middle East.
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Specialization in LMIA, Express Entry, Study Permits, Family Sponsorship, Business Startup.
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Transparent, affordable immigration services.
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Proven track record with high approval rates.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a Surrey employer struggling to hire or a skilled worker from India or the Middle East hoping to move to Canada, the LMIA process can be challenging. But with the right partner, it becomes simple, affordable, and successful.
At Immiquest Immigration Consulting Inc., we are the top LMIA Consultant in Surrey — helping both businesses and workers achieve their goals. From accurate applications to settlement support, we walk with you every step of the way.
📞 Contact us today to book a free consultation and take your first step toward work and permanent residency in Canada.
Contact Us
📍 Vancouver Office
250 – 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 3M1, Canada
📍 Surrey Office
208 – 8028 128 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 4E9, Canada
📞 Phone: (+1) 778-855-4155
📧 Email: info@immiquest.ca