The LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) work permit is what you need when a Canadian employer wants to hire you. The employer must first prove to the government that they couldn't find a Canadian or permanent resident for the job. Once the LMIA is approved, you can apply for a closed work permit tied to that employer. This is the most common route for Algerians who already have a job offer in Canada.
Fees: CAD $155 (work permit fee) + CAD $85 (biometrics) — employer pays CAD $1,000 for LMIA
Processing time: 2-5 months (LMIA + work permit processing)
Visa center in Algeria: VFS Global Algiers
Biometrics: Fingerprints required at VFS Global Algiers
The first step is finding a Canadian employer who wants to hire you AND is willing to go through the LMIA process. This is the hardest part. The employer must: 1. Advertise the position in Canada for at least 4 weeks 2. Prove no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was qualified 3. Offer you a wage that meets the prevailing wage for the position 4. Pay the $1,000 LMIA application fee Here's where to look for jobs: • Job Bank (Canada's official job site) • Indeed Canada, LinkedIn • Provincial job boards • Industry-specific job sites
Estimated duration: Weeks to months (job search)
Tip: Focus on sectors with labor shortages in Canada: trucking, construction, agriculture, healthcare, IT, and food processing. These employers are more likely to go through the LMIA process. Use the Canadian Job Bank — it shows jobs specifically looking for foreign workers.
For applicants in Algeria: Be very cautious of agencies in Algeria that promise Canadian work permits for a fee. Many are scams. A legitimate employer in Canada will NEVER ask you to pay for the LMIA. If someone asks you to pay $5,000-$15,000 for a "guaranteed work permit," run away. Use only the official IRCC website and verified employers.
Once an employer decides to hire you, THEY apply for the LMIA — not you. Here's what happens: 1. The employer submits the LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2. They must prove they tried to hire Canadians first (ads, interviews, etc.) 3. ESDC reviews the application (4-8 weeks typically) 4. If approved, the employer gets a positive LMIA letter 5. They send you a copy of the LMIA and a job offer letter You don't have much to do during this step except wait and stay in contact with the employer.
Estimated duration: 4-8 weeks (employer's step)
With the positive LMIA in hand, you can now apply for your work permit through the IRCC online portal. You'll need to create an account, fill out the forms, upload all your documents, and pay the fees. The work permit is tied to the specific employer and job — this is called a "closed" work permit. If you want to change employers later, you'll need a new LMIA and work permit.
Estimated duration: 1-2 days to fill out, then 2-4 months processing
Tip: Double-check every document before uploading. A single missing or incorrect document can delay your application by weeks. Make sure your police clearance and medical exam are recent (less than 12 months old).
For applicants in Algeria: For the medical exam, there are only a few IRCC-designated doctors in Algeria (mostly in Algiers). Book your appointment early as wait times can be long. The exam costs about 15,000-20,000 DZD. For payment of the work permit fees, you'll need an international payment card — Algerian CIB/Edahabia cards often don't work internationally. Use Wise, Paysera, or ask a relative abroad.
After submitting your application, IRCC will send you a Biometrics Instruction Letter. Book an appointment at VFS Global Algiers to give your fingerprints and photo. Then wait for the decision — you can check your status online through your IRCC account.
Estimated duration: 30 min at VFS + 2-4 months total processing