Canada considers ending LMIA program amid rising misuse and fraud

Toronto: The Government of Canada is reportedly planning to discontinue the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) program, a move that could significantly impact immigrants, especially Punjabis, who have relied on it as a pathway to settle in the country. Immigration Minister Mark Miller has revealed that the LMIA system is being widely misused, particularly to gain permanent residency (PR) under fraudulent circumstances.

Currently, applicants under Canada’s Express Entry System can earn 50 additional points through LMIA-based job offers or 200 points for management positions. However, concerns over widespread black marketing, including demands of up to $70,000 for fraudulent LMIA documents, have prompted the government to consider scrapping the program.

Fraudulent agents often guarantee PR through LMIA on social media, exploiting vulnerable applicants. Many of these LMIAs are linked to fake jobs, leading to large-scale exploitation of youth. With the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for PR applications exceeding 500 points, the additional 50 points from LMIA often become a deciding factor in securing PR—a factor frequently exploited through scams.

This development follows other restrictive measures by Canada, such as discontinuing 10-year multiple entry visas and limiting student visas to 437,000 annually. These changes reflect a tightening of immigration policies amidst increasing concerns over misuse and fraudulent practices.