LMIA Applications in Edmonton — A Practical Guide for Employers

•  Alberta’s High Wage Threshold is $36.00 per hour, in effect since June 27, 2025. Positions at or above $36/hour fall under the High-Wage stream; below falls under Low-Wage.

•  Low-wage advertising now requires 8 consecutive weeks, doubled from 4 weeks as of April 1, 2026. Applications submitted with only 4 weeks of advertising are returned without processing.

•  Youth recruitment is now mandatory for all low-wage positions, also effective April 1, 2026. Employers must document specific outreach to Canadian youth before applying.

If you are planning a low-wage LMIA application, your advertising timeline needs to start at least 10–12 weeks before your target submission date.

 
                                            High-Wage                            Low-Wage
Alberta wage                     $36.00/hr or above                Below $36.00/hr
Advertising                        4 weeks minimum                 8 consecutive weeks
Youth recruitment             Not required                          Mandatory
Workforce                           None                                     ariable — depends on sector and emp
Transition plan                   Required                                Not required ip.

Can my spouse work while the inland application is being processed?
Yes. An open work permit application can be submitted at the same time as an inland sponsorship application, allowing your spouse to work for any employer in Canada while waiting for a decision.

What if my spouse had a prior visitor visa refusal?
A prior refusal does not automatically disqualify your spouse. We review the reasons for prior refusals and address them directly in the sponsorship application.

How long does outland processing take from India or Pakistan?
Processing times through the New Delhi visa office currently average 12–20 months. Timelines change

—  check current estimates at ircc.canada.ca at the time you apply.