Temporary Foreign Worker Program

A Labour Market Opinion must be used within a maximum of six months of issuance.

Effective May 19, 2009, all Labour Market Opinions (LMOs) issued to employers will be valid for the purpose of work permit applications for a maximum of six months from the date of issuance. A  LMO that is not submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to support a work permit application within the maximum six-month period will be deemed to have expired.  The employer will be required to apply for a new LMO if he/she still wishes to hire a temporary foreign worker.

This will strengthen the integrity of LMOs by ensuring CIC has a reasonably accurate assessment of labour market conditions when evaluating an application for a work permit.

The expiry date identifies the period of time during which:

• The employer must notify the temporary foreign worker that the LMO was approved.
• The employer must send the LMO confirmation letter to the temporary foreign worker.
• The temporary foreign worker must apply for a work permit to CIC.
• The employer must continue to attempt to recruit Canadians or permanent residents until a foreign worker is selected if he/she did not provide the name of the worker when applying for a LMO.

If this does not occur within the period of time identified, the LMO is no longer valid and the employer will be required to submit a new application, if he/she still wishes to hire a temporary foreign worker.

NOTE: All unused LMOs issued before May 19, 2009, will expire on November 28, 2009.

For more information, consult the Questions and Answers.