See if you need a labour market opinion

In some cases, an employer must obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO)—which supports the work permit application. An LMO is the opinion provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/Service Canada to the officer that enables the officer to determine whether the employment of the foreign worker is likely to have a positive or negative impact on the labour market in Canada.

People in the following categories need a work permit but do not need an LMO from HRSDC.

  • Workers covered under international agreements
    Professionals, traders, investors and business people coming to Canada to work under certain international agreements.
  • Participants in exchange programs
    People whose employment in Canada will provide similar employment to Canadians abroad, such as participants in youth exchange programs, teacher exchange programs or other reciprocal programs.
  • Spouses
    • Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign students who are studying full-time.
    • Spouses and common-law partners of certain skilled foreign workers. See Your Spouse Working in Canada.
  • Workers, their spouses/common-law partners or their dependants who are eligible for a work permit through an active pilot project
    Through agreements between the Government of Canada and provincial/territorial governments, some workers, as well as their spouses, common-law partners and dependants, may be eligible for a work permit through an active pilot project without requiring an LMO. These temporary initiatives are designed to attract particular workers that the province or territory needs. Find out if you are eligible to come to Canada through a pilot project.
  • Workers nominated by a province for permanent residence
    A person who has been nominated by a province for permanent residence and has a job offer from an employer based in that province.
  • Entrepreneurs and intra-company transferees
    Some types of entrepreneurs, workers transferring within a company, and other types of workers who will provide significant benefit to Canadians or permanent residents by working in Canada.
  • Academics and students
    Certain academics and students.
  • Co-op students
    Foreign students who are studying in Canada and who need to do co-op work placements as part of their program of study.
  • Religious workers
    People doing charitable or religious work.
  • Others
    Certain people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada for other reasons such as the refugee determination process.