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Canada LMIA changes: two‑year low‑wage limit, childcare exemption and no 90‑day hold
Canada has introduced three LMIA updates: low‑wage applications can now support up to two years of employment, early childhood educators are exempt from the unemployment‑based restriction, and IRCC no longer imposes a 90‑day hold on concurrent work‑permit applications. The first two changes took effect on November 6, 2026, while the third became active at the end of October 2026.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Low‑wage LMIA duration up to two years, childcare exemption added, 90‑day hold removed
- Timing
- Two changes on November 6, 2026; one change end of October 2026
- Who is affected
- Employers and workers using low‑wage LMIA, childcare operators, and in‑Canada permit applicants
The details
- Announced by
- Employment and Social Development Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Takes effect
- November 6, 2026 for two changes; end of October 2026 for the third
- Previous rule
- Low‑wage LMIA applications were limited to a maximum employment duration of one year and IRCC held concurrent work‑permit applications for up to 90 days.
- New rule
- Low‑wage LMIA applications submitted on or after November 6, 2026 can request up to two years of employment; early childhood educators are now exempt from the unemployment‑based refusal; IRCC will hold concurrent work‑permit applications until a final LMIA decision is made, removing the 90‑day deadline.
Extended employment duration for low‑wage LMIA
Employment and Social Development Canada confirmed on November 6, 2026 that new low‑wage LMIA applications may now request a maximum employment period of two years. The previous ceiling was one year and applied only to new applications, leaving earlier submissions unchanged.
- Only applications submitted on or after November 6, 2026 qualify for the two‑year ceiling
- Work‑permit validity cannot exceed the employment period stated in the LMIA
- If a worker’s passport expires before the two‑year end, the permit is limited to the passport’s remaining validity
Early childhood educator exemption
On the same date, ESDC added early childhood educators to the list of occupations exempt from the low‑wage LMIA refusal‑to‑process rule in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where unemployment is 6 % or higher. The exemption applies during the October 2026 to January 2027 period.
- Exempted occupations still must meet all other Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements
- A positive LMIA does not guarantee work‑permit approval, as IRCC conducts a separate assessment
Removal of 90‑day hold for concurrent work‑permit applications
IRCC issued an operational update at the end of October 2026 stating that officers must keep eligible in‑Canada work‑permit extension applications on hold until a final LMIA decision is received. This replaces the former 90‑day holding period that could lead to automatic refusals if the LMIA was not decided in time.
- Eligibility requires a pending LMIA, a work permit expiring within two weeks, and sufficient lead time for the LMIA filing
- Employers are warned not to submit LMIA applications at the last minute expecting concurrent processing
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Employers filing low‑wage LMIA after November 6, 2026 should plan for a possible two‑year work‑permit validity
- Childcare operators in CMAs with unemployment ≥6 % can now submit applications for early childhood educators without fearing automatic refusal
- Workers awaiting a work‑permit extension under concurrent processing will no longer face a 90‑day deadline and can remain in Canada while the LMIA is decided
Cost and documents
- No new fees are introduced; the $1,000 processing fee for low‑wage LMIA remains unchanged
- Applicants must still provide proof of passport validity that covers the requested employment period
- Early childhood educator applications must still include standard recruitment and wage documentation
What you need to do
- Employers must verify the submission date of their low‑wage LMIA to ensure the two‑year ceiling applies
- Childcare employers should confirm the CMA unemployment rate and include the early childhood educator exemption in their LMIA request
- Workers filing concurrent‑processing extensions should submit the work‑permit application before their current permit expires and wait for the LMIA decision
Who this affects
-
Employers filing new low‑wage LMIA
The maximum employment duration they can request increased from one to two years on November 6, 2026
What to do Check the LMIA submission date and request up to two years if filing on or after November 6, 2026
-
Childcare operators hiring early childhood educators
Early childhood educators were added to the exemption list for CMAs with unemployment ≥6 % as of November 6, 2026
What to do Include the exemption in the LMIA application and meet all other program requirements
-
Workers with pending in‑Canada work‑permit extensions
IRCC removed the 90‑day holding limit for concurrent‑processing applications at the end of October 2026
What to do Submit the extension before the current permit expires and wait for the LMIA decision without fearing automatic refusal
Frequently asked questions
When can low‑wage LMIA applications request a two‑year employment period?
Low‑wage LMIA applications submitted on or after November 6, 2026 may request up to two years of employment, whereas earlier applications remain limited to one year.
Are early childhood educators now eligible for LMIA in high‑unemployment CMAs?
Yes, as of November 6, 2026 early childhood educators are exempt from the unemployment‑based refusal‑to‑process rule in CMAs where unemployment is 6 % or higher.
What happens to the 90‑day hold on concurrent work‑permit applications?
IRCC removed the 90‑day deadline on October 28, 2026; eligible applications will now remain on hold until a final LMIA decision is issued.
Does the two‑year LMIA limit guarantee a two‑year work permit?
No, the work‑permit validity cannot exceed the LMIA employment period, but passport expiry or other factors may limit the actual permit length.
Do employers need to submit LMIA applications earlier to use concurrent processing?
Employers must submit the LMIA with sufficient lead time; filing the LMIA at the last minute will be assessed exceptionally and may not qualify for concurrent processing.
Will existing low‑wage LMIA approvals be extended to two years automatically?
No, the two‑year ceiling applies only to new LMIA applications submitted on or after November 6, 2026; existing approvals retain their original one‑year limit.
