How Long Can One Work On An LMIA-Based Work Permit Via The TFWP?

Many people assume that the length of time you can work in Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is based on your employer’s LMIA validity. That’s not quite accurate.

In reality, how long you can stay and work in Canada under a TFWP work permit depends on the validity of your work permit, not the LMIA itself. The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a key step in the process, but it only partially influences the timeline.

Today, we will discuss how long one can work on an LMIA-based work permit via the TFWP. 

So, without further ado, let us begin!

Work Permit Duration Isn’t Defined By LMIA Validity

Although your employer must obtain an LMIA to hire you under the TFWP, that document doesn’t decide how long you can stay. Instead, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) determines your work permit length, and that’s influenced by a “work duration” recommendation made by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) when they assess your employer’s LMIA application.

In short:

• ESDC recommends how long you should be allowed to work.
• IRCC uses that recommendation to set your work permit expiry date.

Real-Life Scenario: Applying For A TFWP Work Permit

Let’s walk through a typical timeline.

Imagine a Canadian automobile manufacturer is hiring a foreign mechanical engineer through the TFWP. Here’s what that process looks like:

1. The company wants the new hire to start work on December 1, 2025.
2. They applied for an LMIA on July 30, 2025 — early enough to account for processing delays.
3. A positive LMIA is issued on September 19, 2025, along with a work duration recommendation of one year.
4. The LMIA is valid for six months, until March 19, 2026.
5. The company informs the engineer and provides the LMIA so they can apply for a work permit.
6. The engineer submits their work permit application on September 30, 2025.
7. IRCC approves the permit on December 18, 2025, and issues a work permit valid until January 30, 2027 (a little over one year, accounting for travel and logistics).

If the company and employee want to extend the employment, they’ll need to:

• Obtain a new positive LMIA with a new work duration recommendation.
• Apply to extend or change the work permit with IRCC before the current permit expires — ideally by December 31, 2026.

This ensures no gap in legal status.

Maintained Status While Waiting For Renewal

If a worker applies for a work permit extension before their current permit expires, they may qualify for maintained status (formerly known as implied status). This allows the worker to:

• Stay in Canada
• Keep working under the same employer and job role
• Wait legally until IRCC makes a decision

How To Obtain An LMIA?

A significant thing to know if you wish to work on an LMIA-based work permit via the TFWP is how you can get an LMIA. 

An LMIA is the official authorization needed by most Canadian employers to hire a foreign worker under the TFWP employer-specific stream. It confirms that the employer tried to hire a Canadian or PR but couldn’t fill the position.

1. Employer Submits An LMIA Application

The employer must:

• Advertise the position in Canada for at least four consecutive weeks
• Submit detailed information on wages, working conditions, and recruitment efforts
• Pay an LMIA processing fee

Some jobs have exemptions or reduced requirements for advertising based on the role or industry.

2. Foreign Worker Applies For The Work Permit

Once a positive LMIA is issued, the employer gives it to the selected foreign worker. The worker then applies to IRCC for a closed work permit, which ties them to that specific job and employer.

The application must include:

• The positive LMIA
• Job offer letter and contract
• Proof of qualifications (education, certifications, etc.)
• Processing fee and biometrics (if applicable)

If approved, the foreign worker receives a TFWP work permit tied to the employer listed in the LMIA. They cannot switch employers or roles unless they get a new LMIA and work permit.

What Determines TFWP Work Duration?

To better understand how long you can work on a TFWP permit, it’s important to distinguish between three key timeframes:

Can You Start Your Job After The LMIA Expires?

Yes, a job may begin after the LMIA’s expiry date, as long as the foreign worker submits their work permit application before the LMIA expires.

It’s the employer’s responsibility to specify the expected job start date when submitting the LMIA application. This helps both ESDC and IRCC assess the appropriate work duration when issuing the LMIA and corresponding work permit.

Average LMIA Processing Times (As of June 2025)

The LMIA processing time after submission (Step 1) depends on the stream you’re applying through, which is determined by your occupation, industry, and wage level in the job offer.

Timelines may also fluctuate based on Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s workload and the number of applications in their queue.

Below is a table showing the average LMIA processing times as of June 2025.

Final Thoughts 

Understanding how long you can work in Canada on a TFWP work permit isn’t as simple as checking your employer’s LMIA. The LMIA helps initiate the process but IRCC ultimately decides the work permit length, using the work duration recommendation from ESDC.

To recap:

• Apply for a work permit before your LMIA expires
• The actual work period is based on IRCC’s decision, not the LMIA validity
• Plan your extensions early — at least 30 days before your permit expires
• Maintain status by applying on time to stay in Canada legally

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