Every LMIA application is classified as either High-Wage or Low-Wage based on how the job's hourly wage compares to the median wage for that occupation and province. This classification determines which advertising rules, documentation, and additional requirements apply — getting it wrong is a common cause of delays and refusals.
ESDC compares the hourly wage offered for the position against the provincial or territorial median hourly wage.
Compare the fundamental requirements for each LMIA stream under the latest rules.
| Requirement | High-Wage Stream | Low-Wage Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising period | 4 consecutive weeks | 8 consecutive weeks (effective April 1, 2026) |
| Transition plan | Required | Not required |
| Youth recruitment documentation | Not required | Required (effective April 1, 2026) |
| CMA unemployment moratorium | Not applicable | Applies in affected census metropolitan areas |
| Cap on TFWs at one work location | Not applicable | Applies |
Employers sometimes assume a role qualifies as High-Wage based on past filings or informal benchmarks, only to have ESDC classify it as Low-Wage once the current median wage threshold is applied — triggering the transition plan requirement they weren't prepared for, or vice versa, missing the extended advertising window a Low-Wage classification requires.
Comparing your job offer against the current provincial median wage for the occupation.
Determining definitively whether High-Wage or Low-Wage rules apply.
Outlining exactly which advertising, documentation, and transition plan obligations apply to your filing.
Managing the complete LMIA process once the correct stream is confirmed.