Business Services · Policy Updates
Do You Run More Than One Location? The LMIA Cap Just Changed
August 30, 2026
The government now counts employees location by location for the LMIA low-wage cap — not company-wide. Here's what that means if you run more than one site.
Last updated: August 30, 2026
What changed
As of August 18, 2026, the government changed how it counts employees for the LMIA low-wage cap. Before, it counted your total staff across every location combined. Now, it counts each location on its own.
How this affects you
Employers with more than one work location under the same business number — franchise operations, multi-branch retailers, regional service businesses — who were told before August 2026 that they didn't qualify because of their combined headcount, may now qualify. If one of your locations has fewer than 10 employees, that location can hire under the small-employer rule, even if your company is much bigger overall.
Not sure if this applies to your business? Call us and we'll check your locations together.