Compare September 2026 LMIA processing times: high-wage 98 business days, low-wage 82 and Global Talent Stream 9. Learn what the figures mean for hiring plans.
How long does an LMIA take in Canada? The September 2026 averages range from 7 to 98 business days, depending on the stream. Several streams became faster than in August, but high-wage applications took longer. These are past averages, not promised decision dates for a new application.
September 2026 LMIA processing times by stream
| LMIA stream | September 2026 | August 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Talent Stream | 9 | 10 | 1 day faster |
| Agricultural stream | 22 | 25 | 3 days faster |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 7 | 6 | 1 day longer |
| High-wage stream | 98 | 90 | 8 days longer |
| Low-wage stream | 82 | 82 | No change |
| Permanent resident stream | 79 | 156 | 77 days faster |
Which LMIA streams became faster?
The permanent resident stream had the largest monthly improvement, falling from 156 to 79 business days. Agricultural processing also shortened, and the Global Talent Stream moved from 10 to 9. The direction matters: a headline about faster LMIAs does not describe every stream.
High-wage and low-wage LMIA processing: what to plan for
High-wage processing rose to 98 business days, while the low-wage average stayed at 82. An employer should plan around the applicable stream rather than the shortest number in the table. The Global Talent Stream is a separate route with its own requirements; employers cannot simply choose it because its published time is shorter.
Does the LMIA timeline include advertising and the work permit?
No. ESDC measures assessment after receiving a complete application. Required advertising happens before submission and is excluded. A worker’s work permit application is a separate step, so the LMIA average is not the total time until someone can start work.
A practical hiring timeline checklist
- Write down the intended job start date and the person responsible for each task.
- Confirm the stream and its current requirements before setting an advertising schedule.
- Keep copies of advertisements, dates and recruitment records together for review.
- Check that the application has the required documents and signatures before submission.
- Allow for the worker’s separate permit process and avoid non-refundable travel commitments based only on an average.
Common questions about LMIA wait times
Are these calendar days or business days?
Business days. Do not treat 98 business days as 98 consecutive calendar days when discussing a start date.
Does faster processing mean approval is more likely?
A processing-time figure tells you how long completed assessments took. It does not give an approval probability or remove the need to meet the stream’s requirements.
Where should I check the latest LMIA processing time?
Use the ESDC processing-times page linked above. This article is a dated September snapshot. For a work permit estimate, check IRCC separately and select the application type that matches the worker’s situation.
Plan the employer and worker steps together
Bring the job description, proposed province, intended start date and any existing permit expiry to your consultation. Canada Immigration Advisory can coordinate the discussion with an appropriate partner consultant and help put the next tasks into your case plan. A consultation cannot guarantee a decision or a faster queue.
Want this applied to your own case?
General guidance only. Your circumstances decide what actually applies, and the first conversation is free.