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How Long Can You Actually Work on a LMIA-Based Work Permit?

Many people applying for a Canadian work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) get confused about one crucial detail: how long they are actually allowed to work in Canada. Some believe their LMIA’s six-month validity is the same as their work permit’s validity—but that’s a misconception. In reality, your actual work permit duration depends on several key factors—and not just the LMIA. Let’s break it down.

🔍 What Does LMIA Validity Really Mean?

A positive LMIA, issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is valid for six months. This means you have six months to submit your work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Example: If your LMIA is approved on August 1, 2025, your application for a work permit must be received by January 31, 2026. Once the six-month period expires, the LMIA is no longer valid—and your employer must start the application process all over again.

💡 Pro tip from a trusted Immigration Consultant in Toronto: Always apply early to avoid redoing the entire LMIA process!

🎯 What Actually Determines the Length of Your Work Permit?

The actual length of your Canadian work permit doesn’t depend on the LMIA’s validity but rather on what’s inside the LMIA application and other variables. Key determining factors include:

1. The recommended employment duration stated in the LMIA application
2. Your passport’s expiry date
3. Job contract details
4. Stream-specific limitations, such as intra-company transfers or trade agreements

For instance, ESDC might recommend a 1-year duration in the LMIA based on the employer’s needs—even if the LMIA itself is valid only for six months.

💡 If you’re working with a licensed Immigration Consultant in Mississauga, they’ll make sure your LMIA details align with IRCC requirements to avoid permit delays.

🧾 Real-Life Scenario: How It Works

Let’s say you’re hired as a mechanical technician in British Columbia:

• Your employer submits an LMIA in July for a role starting in December.
• ESDC issues the LMIA in September with a 1-year recommended work duration.
• You apply in October.
• IRCC issues a 12-month work permit, valid from your expected job start date—not from the LMIA’s issuance.

This happens because IRCC looks at the duration of employment, not LMIA validity, when deciding how long you can work.

✅ Work Permit Length Factors Explained

Here’s what immigration officers actually look at:

Factor	Explanation
LMIA-recommended duration	Duration suggested by the employer and approved by ESDC
Job offer letter	Start/end dates, duties, wage, and employment location
Passport validity	Permit usually can’t exceed passport expiry
Employment stream	Some categories have caps (e.g., intra-company transfers)
Wage and role level	High-wage vs low-wage stream differences

📌 Government Program-Specific Limits

Some LMIA-based streams have pre-defined maximum durations:

• Intra-Company Transfers: Managers and executives may receive work permits of up to 5 years.
• CUSMA Professionals (formerly NAFTA): Up to 3 years, renewable.
• Seasonal Agri-Food Workers: Typically capped at 8 months.

✳️ An experienced Immigration Consultant in Brampton can guide you through category-specific timelines and suggest extension strategies early.

📅 Timing Is Everything: Apply Before It’s Too Late

When you receive a positive LMIA, the six-month clock starts ticking immediately. Delays could mean losing your chance to work in Canada altogether. If your job offer is for longer than 6 months, make sure:

• Your passport doesn’t expire before the job ends.
• The employer’s work-duration request is clear in the LMIA application.
• You submit the application as soon as possible.

Need help reviewing your documents? Reach out to a certified Immigration Consultant in Kitchener who can double-check everything before you apply.

🗺️ High-Authority Resources to Bookmark

• Work Permit Application Process – IRCC
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program Overview – Canada.ca
• Extend Your Work Permit – Government of Canada

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking LMIA validity = work duration
2. Ignoring passport expiry date
3. Missing the 6-month LMIA deadline
4. Submitting incomplete job offers or misaligned contract dates

📌 Whether you’re in Scarborough or Sarnia, our team at Sayal Immigration, including a top-rated Immigration Consultant in Scarborough, will ensure your timeline and paperwork are rock-solid.

👥 Want to Maximize Your Time in Canada?

Sayal Immigration has helped hundreds of foreign workers understand how LMIA-based work permits really work. We work closely with applicants across Ontario—from a reliable Immigration Consultant in London Ontario—to get your permit length just right, minimize delays, and even help with renewals or permanent residence pathways.

🎯 Final Takeaways

• Apply early—don’t risk wasting your LMIA approval.
• Check your passport—a short validity could limit your work permit.
• Align your job contract with your LMIA’s recommended duration.
• Consult with licensed professionals to avoid critical mistakes.

From Immigration Consultant in Canada to specialized regional offices, Sayal Immigration is here to guide your Canadian work journey—right from LMIA to PR.

Would you like personalized advice or support applying for an LMIA-based work permit? Contact Sayal Immigration today. Let’s turn your Canadian work dream into a long-term reality.