If you’re an employer or a foreign worker exploring the Low Wage LMIA stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), there’s a critical update you need to know.
As of July 11, 2025, the Government of Canada has released a revised list of regions where Low Wage LMIA applications will not be processed. This change may significantly affect both new applicants and those planning to extend their current low-wage work permits.
Which Regions Are No Longer Accepting Low Wage LMIA Applications?
According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), 26 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) now have unemployment rates above 6%, which makes them ineligible for processing Low Wage LMIA applications.
Here are the newly ineligible CMAs as of July 11, 2025:
| CMA | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| St. John’s, NL | 7.2% |
| Halifax, NS | 6.2% |
| Moncton, NB | 6.4% |
| Saint John, NB | 7.4% |
| Fredericton, NB | 6.2% |
| Montréal, QC | 6.9% |
| Ottawa-Gatineau, ON/QC | 6.4% |
| Kingston, ON | 7.2% |
| Belleville – Quinte West, ON | 7.1% |
| Peterborough, ON | 9.9% |
| Oshawa, ON | 9.2% |
| Toronto, ON | 8.9% |
| Hamilton, ON | 6.6% |
| St. Catharines–Niagara, ON | 6.4% |
| Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, ON | 6.9% |
| Brantford, ON | 6.8% |
| London, ON | 6.9% |
| Windsor, ON | 11% |
| Barrie, ON | 7.3% |
| Calgary, AB | 7.3% |
| Edmonton, AB | 7.6% |
| Kamloops, BC | 8.7% |
| Chilliwack, BC | 6.3% |
| Abbotsford–Mission, BC | 6.1% |
| Vancouver, BC | 6.3% |
| Nanaimo, BC | 7.3% |
This marks an increase from the previous list, which included only 24 CMAs from April 4 to July 10.
📌 Why Are Low Wage LMIA Applications Being Refused in These Regions?
This restriction is tied to Canada’s unemployment rate strategy. If a CMA’s unemployment rate is 6% or higher, the federal government will not process Low Wage LMIA applications from that region.
This policy aims to prioritize Canadian workers in areas with high unemployment before bringing in temporary foreign workers for lower-wage positions.
The Low Wage LMIA ban is reassessed every quarter, with the next update expected on October 10, 2025.
Which Regions Are Now Eligible Again?
Some CMAs previously listed between April 4 and July 10 have now fallen below the 6% unemployment threshold, and are no longer on the restricted list:
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Drummondville
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Guelph
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Kelowna
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Red Deer
This means employers in these areas can once again apply for Low Wage LMIAs.
How to Know If a Job Falls Under the Low Wage LMIA Stream
The classification of a job as high-wage or low-wage depends on whether the offered wage is above or below the median wage in the province or territory.
ESDC revised the median wage thresholds on July 27, 2025. You can check the new thresholds by province on their official site or consult Eiffel Immigration for guidance.
If the job offer’s wage is below the median threshold, it qualifies as low wage, and the employer must apply under the Low Wage LMIA stream.
How Do You Know If You’re Affected?
You might be affected by this change if:
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You have a job offer under the low-wage category, and
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The job is located in one of the 26 CMAs listed above
To find out if your job’s location is in an affected CMA:
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Go to the Census of Population website.
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Enter your work location’s full postal code.
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Look for the “Census Metropolitan Area / Census Agglomeration” section.
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Check if your CMA appears in the restricted list.
🔄 What Options Do You Have if You’re Impacted?
If your Low Wage LMIA application falls under a restricted CMA, here are some strategies:
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Negotiate a higher wage so the application qualifies under the high-wage stream
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Wait for the next quarter (October 2025) to see if the CMA unemployment rate improves
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Search for jobs in CMAs not on the restricted list
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Switch to eligible occupations that are exempt from this restriction, such as:
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Primary agriculture
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Construction
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Food manufacturing
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Healthcare and residential care
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In-home caregiving
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🧾 What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires?
If you’re on a Low Wage TFWP permit and can’t extend it due to these changes:
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You must stop working once your status ends.
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If you applied for an extension before the permit expired, you’ll get maintained status, allowing you to work legally while IRCC processes your application.
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If you lose your job on a closed work permit, a temporary public policy allows you to switch employers faster.
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You may also apply for a visitor record to legally remain in Canada while exploring other options.
💼 Need Help Understanding Your LMIA Eligibility?
At Eiffel Immigration, we’re here to guide you through every step of the Low Wage LMIA process. From checking eligibility to finding alternative pathways — we’ve got your back.
📞 Book your consultation today and let our experts help you secure your future in Canada.
📧 Contact us now at info@eiffelimmigration.com or visit www.eiffelimmigration.com