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Employee Retention

LMIA vs. Work Permit: Understanding the Two-Step Process

July 12, 2026

An LMIA is not a work permit. The two are separate applications that happen back to back — and the combined processing time is what determines how early you need to start planning.

An LMIA is not a work permit. The two are separate applications that happen back to back — and the combined processing time is what determines how early you need to start planning.

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Benjamin Smillie, BA, CCIC — RCIC #R419495 · Licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants