Work Permit Freeze: How to Hire Before Jan 7 – 6 New Cities Affected

Canada Just Expanded Its Low-Wage Work Permit Freeze

On October 9, 2026, Canada added six cities to its low-wage work permit freeze, and the restrictions run through January 7, 2027. If you’re an employer planning to hire international workers—or a worker with a job offer on the table—in one of these newly affected regions, you need to understand what changed and what you can still do.

The freeze affects only certain types of work permits, and there are still legitimate paths to hire or work in these regions. But the window is closing. Here’s what you need to know and do right now.

What the Freeze Actually Covers

This is critical: the work permit freeze does not block all international hiring in affected cities. It applies specifically to low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) jobs—positions paying less than 120% of the provincial or territorial median wage.

The freeze means Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which processes LMIAs, will not accept new applications for low-wage positions in the six newly added cities through January 7. (Some other regions have been under this freeze for months; the October 9 expansion added six more.)

What is still available:

• High-wage LMIA: Positions paying 120% or more of the median wage can still apply for LMIA.
• LMIA-exempt hiring: The International Mobility Program (IMP) lets employers hire international workers without an LMIA in certain categories: intra-company transfers, specialty occupation workers, and other exempted roles.
• Study and visit permits: These are not affected by the freeze.

If your job falls into any of these categories, you’re not locked out. Many employers don’t realize this.

What This Means for You

If you’re an employer: Hiring hasn’t stopped—it’s redirected. Before October 9, you might have applied for low-wage LMIA; now, you’re exploring whether the International Mobility Program, a higher wage tier, or restructuring the role makes sense. The freeze forces you to move faster and think creatively.

If you’re a temporary worker: Your current work permit is not cancelled. If you’re already in Canada on a valid permit and your job is in one of the newly frozen regions, you can continue working. However, if your permit expires and you need to renew, your employer must reapply for an LMIA (if required) under the new rules. If the job is low-wage and in a frozen region, that LMIA will be denied.

Practically speaking: If you have a job offer, confirm immediately whether it’s low-wage, high-wage, or LMIA-exempt. That detail determines everything.

Three Steps to Act Before January 7

Step 1: Check the List and Clarify Your Job Offer

First, verify whether your city is one of the six newly frozen areas. Check the official ESDC announcement for the most current list. Then ask these questions:

• What is the proposed salary?
• What is the provincial median wage for this occupation (you can find this on ESDC’s website)?
• Is the salary at least 120% of the median?
• Does the job fit into an LMIA-exempt category under the International Mobility Program?

These answers tell you whether the freeze blocks your hiring or whether you have a path forward. Document this—you’ll need it for the next step.

Step 2: Consult on Your Hiring Route

Once you know the salary and job type, determine your option:

• High-wage LMIA (120%+ of median): Proceed with a standard LMIA application; the freeze does not apply.
• LMIA-exempt (International Mobility Program): Employer initiates an IMP application instead of LMIA. Processing is often faster. Many employers haven’t explored IMP categories thoroughly—consult with an immigration lawyer or RCIC who specializes in work permits.
• Low-wage without a workaround: If the job is low-wage and not exempt, the LMIA will be refused. Consider whether the role can be restructured (higher responsibility, higher wage), filled domestically, or deferred until January 8.

Professional guidance here is worth the investment. A miscalculation—say, assuming a low-wage role fits an IMP exemption when it doesn’t—can waste weeks.

Step 3: Submit Applications Before the Deadline

If you’re pursuing LMIA or IMP, submit before January 7, 2027. Applications postmarked after that date will face the freeze. (Note: verify the official ESDC deadline to be certain.)

Processing times for LMIA vary: the Global Talent Stream currently takes 10 business days, but standard LMIA can take longer. Don’t wait until December to apply.

What Happens After January 7

As of January 8, 2027, the restrictions will be reassessed. ESDC updates these restrictions based on labor market conditions (specifically, unemployment rates in each region). If unemployment drops below 6%, the freeze may be lifted. If it stays above 6%, the freeze may extend.

Monitor the official ESDC announcements; your immigration consultant should do the same. The next update window is January 8, 2027.

Bottom Line

A work permit freeze sounds absolute, but it’s not. If you’re an employer or worker in one of the six newly frozen cities, the freeze affects only low-wage LMIA applications. High-wage LMIA and LMIA-exempt hiring remain open. The key is acting now—before January 7—and ensuring you’re pursuing the right pathway for your job.

Don’t assume your job is blocked. Verify the wage, check the exemptions, and consult early. The difference between a successful hire and a missed deadline is often just clarity and timing.

Have questions about whether your job offer or hiring plan is affected? We help employers and workers navigate work permit restrictions and find the right pathway forward. Email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com to get started or ask a question.