Top Jobs with the Most LMIAs in 2023
Securing a role in the Canadian workforce is often a pivotal step in the immigration pathway for many who arrive from overseas, enhancing their prospects for permanent residence and aligning their skillset with the economic landscape. For those seeking employment in Canada without access to alternative permits, a Labour Market Impact Assessment endorsed work permit serves as a valuable asset.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment embodies the Canadian government’s evaluation of how employing an international worker could affect the current job market in Canada. Positive or neutral assessment outcomes are requisite for backing work permit applications, whereas a negative LMIA renders the job ineligible for such a permit. The process also serves to ascertain whether there are Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the role.
Reporting on the most sought-after jobs that received Labour Market Impact Assessment sanctions in 2023, the following occupations led the rankings, as revealed by Canada’s open data:
- General Farm Workers
- Cooks
- Food Service Supervisors
- Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
- Administrative Assistants
- Retail Sales Supervisors
- Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
- Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
- Transport Truck Drivers
- Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
- Administrative Officers

Distributed across various sectors including administration, construction, agriculture, tech, transport, logistics, and food service, the government issued upwards of 60,000 assessments for foreign worker recruitment in 2023. These work permits were processed through different streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), tailored to the nature of the job, industry, and the associated wage.
For those requiring an LMIA, eyeing careers with a high volume of LMIA approvals could be strategic. It is imperative for employers to obtain the LMIA, covering all fees and abiding by the obligatory procedures specified by the TFWP.
In the early 2024, substantial modifications to the TFWP and LMIA procedures were introduced, including the extension of validity periods and adjustments to workforce quotas. Detailed information regarding assessments and the TFWP can be found on our dedicated webpages.
Conclusion:
Individuals seeking employment in Canada and the employers sponsoring them should remain informed about the LMIA process and the TFWP. Recognizing the occupations that have recently seen high numbers of LMIA approvals can provide strategic insight for prospective workers and employers looking to navigate the Canadian labor market effectively.
For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com
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