LMIA Requested vs Approved: The Difference (+ How to Verify)

The two terms in plain English

Two terms get mixed up constantly in Canadian newcomer forums, and the difference matters a lot for how you spend your search time:

• LMIA requested — a flag on a Job Bank posting that means the employer has stated they're willing to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment if they hire a foreign national. It is a forward-looking intent.
• LMIA approved — the employer appears on the public list of businesses that have already received a positive LMIA decision from ESDC in a past quarter. It is backward-looking evidence.

Both are useful, but they're not the same thing, and treating them as interchangeable is one of the biggest mistakes overseas applicants make.

What "LMIA requested" means on a Job Bank posting

When an employer posts on Job Bank Canada, they can opt into a checkbox that flags the role as open to foreign workers requiring LMIA support. The job listing then shows the "LMIA requested" badge.

What that badge actually tells you:

• The employer is aware of the LMIA process and has not ruled out filing one.
• They are still required to recruit Canadians and permanent residents first; the LMIA process explicitly tests whether a qualified Canadian was available.
• They might still hire a Canadian and not file the LMIA at all.

What it does not tell you:

• That they've ever successfully obtained an LMIA before.
• That you, specifically, will be supported.
• That a work permit will be issued.

What "LMIA approved" means on the public employer list

ESDC publishes a quarterly dataset of employers who received positive LMIA decisions. It includes the employer name, address, occupation, stream (high-wage, low-wage, primary agriculture, etc.), and number of approved positions.

If an employer is on that list, three things are likely true:

1. They have an HR process that can navigate the LMIA paperwork.
2. They have the budget for the $1,000 processing fee, the recruitment costs, and (for low-wage stream) the housing and transportation obligations.
3. They're more likely to file again — most LMIA-active employers file repeatedly across quarters.

This is much stronger evidence than a Job Bank checkbox.

Why approved is stronger than requested

Three reasons, in order:

1. Track record beats intent. A company that has actually navigated a positive LMIA in the last 12 months is far more likely to do it again than a company that ticked a box.
2. Capacity is filtered. Many small employers tick "LMIA requested" without realising the time and cost involved, then back out when a Canadian applies. The approved list pre-filters for capacity.
3. You can target by occupation. The dataset includes NOC codes, so you can see which employers have filed for your NOC, not just for any role.

How to use both signals in your search

The most efficient approach:

1. Identify approved employers in your NOC. Use our LMIA job search or the raw ESDC dataset. Filter by your NOC code and by the province you want to live in.
2. Cross-check their current postings. Even if they're not currently flagged "LMIA requested" on Job Bank, you can apply directly through their careers page mentioning your status.
3. Layer in "LMIA requested" postings. Filter Job Bank for the badge as a secondary stream, focused on employers also on the approved list.
4. Skip the requested-only postings from one-off employers. If a company has never appeared on the approved list and is a small employer, the conversion rate is low. Spend your time elsewhere.

Common scams that misuse these terms

Both terms are used heavily by scammers on WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook groups targeting newcomers. Red flags:

• Anyone asking you to pay for an LMIA. The employer pays. Always. Charging a worker is a federal offence under IRPA.
• "Guaranteed LMIA approval" or "100% PR pathway through LMIA". Nobody can guarantee an LMIA approval. IRCC explicitly warns about this.
• A Job Bank listing where the contact email is a free webmail (gmail, hotmail) and the employer can't be found on a corporate registry or the approved list.
• Pressure to send your passport scan or pay a "processing fee" before any interview.

Verify every employer against the ESDC list, the provincial corporate registry, and the company's actual website before sending anything. If you see suspected fraud, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Next: how to spot fake LMIA jobs in Canada, and LMIA Canada explained for the full overview of how the program works.

This article is informational and not immigration or legal advice. For decisions affecting your immigration status, consult a Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.