{"id":34271,"date":"2026-01-29T09:36:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T14:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immetis.com\/hiring-temporary-foreign-workers-in-2026-understanding-the-restrictions-in-effect\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T12:37:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T17:37:49","slug":"hiring-temporary-foreign-workers-in-2026-understanding-the-restrictions-in-effect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immetis.com\/en\/hiring-temporary-foreign-workers-in-2026-understanding-the-restrictions-in-effect\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers in 2026: understanding the restrictions in effect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2026, recruiting temporary foreign workers remains complex and challenging. Between reduced temporary immigration targets, freezes on low\u2011wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications, and new administrative requirements, employers must navigate a regulatory framework that is constantly evolving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To avoid refusals, delays, or non\u2011compliance, it is essential to understand the rules in effect and anticipate their implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Basic principles of immigration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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To better understand the impact of the various measures in place, it is important to grasp the core principles of immigration. In other words, to hire a temporary foreign worker, the employer must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled locally. This demonstration is made through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)<\/strong> and, in Quebec, concurrently with an application for a Certificat d\u2019Acceptation du Qu\u00e9bec (CAQ)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once the LMIA and CAQ are approved, the worker may apply for a work permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some work permits are exempt from LMIA\/CAQ requirements. These fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP)<\/strong>.
Conversely, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)<\/strong> includes all permits requiring an LMIA and is the primary target of the new restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The role of wage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The wage offered for the position determines the type of LMIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A \u201clow\u2011wage<\/strong>\u201d LMIA applies when the wage offered is below<\/strong> the median wage for the province or territory where the job is located. A \u201chigh\u2011wage<\/strong>\u201d LMIA applies when the wage is equal to or above<\/strong> the median.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This distinction is crucial, as most current restrictions affect the \u201clow\u2011wage<\/strong>\u201d stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Restrictive measures in effect in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Extension of the low\u2011wage LMIA freeze in Montreal and Laval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Government of Quebec has extended the suspension of low\u2011wage LMIA<\/strong> processing until December 31, 2026. The freeze applies to the administrative regions of Montr\u00e9al and Laval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Montreal administrative region includes the following municipalities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Baie-D\u2019Urf\u00e9
\u2013 Beaconsfield
\u2013 C\u00f4te-Saint-Luc
\u2013 Dollard-des-Ormeaux
\u2013 Dorval
\u2013 Hampstead
\u2013 Kirkland
\u2013 L\u2019\u00cele-Dorval\u202f
\u2013 Montr\u00e9al
\u2013 Montr\u00e9al-Est\u202f
\u2013 Montr\u00e9al-Ouest
\u2013 Mont-Royal\u202f
\u2013 Pointe-Claire
\u2013 Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
\u2013 Senneville
\u2013 Westmount<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Laval administrative region corresponds to the city of Laval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As a result, it is not possible to submit a low\u2011wage LMIA for a position located in any of these municipalities. The freeze also applies to work permit renewals<\/strong>. Certain sectors are exempt from this refusal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Federal freeze on low\u2011wage LMIAs in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) with unemployment above 6.00%<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Since September 26, 2024, no low\u2011wage LMIA<\/strong> applications are processed in regions where the unemployment rate exceeds 6%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unemployment rates are updated quarterly. The measure applies to both initial applications and renewals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The maximum duration of a low\u2011wage LMIA\u2011based work permit is limited to 12 months. Certain sectors, identified by NAICS code, remain exempt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Increase in the reference median wage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The median wage used to determine LMIA stream classification is updated annually. The most recent update took effect on June 27, 2025. As a result, many positions automatically shifted to the \u201clow\u2011wage\u201d category, even if they had previously been considered \u201chigh\u2011wage,\u201d making them subject to the applicable restrictions during permit renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Limit on the proportion of low\u2011wage positions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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An employer may hire temporary foreign workers for low\u2011wage positions up to 10% of their total workforce per worksite. Any LMIA application exceeding this quota will not be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, for certain specific industries, identified by NAICS code, the quota is increased to 20%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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