Frequently Asked Questions

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer must obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a foreign worker under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). It proves there is a genuine labour shortage and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the job. A positive LMIA is required before a foreign worker can apply for a work permit in most cases.

We cross-reference the employer name you provide against two official public datasets from ESDC: the list of employers who have been banned or flagged for non-compliance with the TFWP, and the list of employers who have received approved (positive) LMIAs. It's a quick way to see whether the government has a record of this employer — and whether that record is clean.

No. A clean result means the employer isn't currently on a government ban list. Scammers move fast, and a business can be running a fraud long before the government formally sanctions them. You still need to watch for other red flags — like requests for money, unrealistic wages, or pressure to act quickly.

“Not found” is a neutral result. It doesn't mean the employer is fake — but it doesn't confirm they're legitimate either. Many small businesses, new companies, or “numbered companies” (e.g., 1234567 Ontario Inc.) may not appear in these datasets yet. Always verify their physical address, website, and business registration independently.

It means they've committed serious violations — such as abusing workers or misusing the LMIA system. Treat any offer from a banned employer as high risk. Stop communication and consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer before proceeding.

Absolutely not. In Canada, it is illegal for an employer or recruiter to charge a worker for an LMIA or a job offer. The employer is legally required to cover all program costs. If someone is asking you for thousands of dollars to “arrange” a job, it is a scam — period.

No — this is a major form of exploitation. Some employers advertise high wages to pass government inspections, then force workers to pay money back under the table. This is illegal. If this is happening to you, document every interaction and every payment, then seek help from a licensed legal professional.

Usually, yes. Scammers often post ads with wages that seem too good to be true, and may use “LMIA pending” to create a sense of urgency. In some cases, these ads aren't meant to find a worker at all — they're designed to “prove” to the government that no Canadian was available, so the employer can sell the LMIA to a foreign worker.

Collect all your evidence — bank transfers, chat screenshots, and emails. Report the employer to ESDC and IRCC. You may also be eligible for an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers, which is designed to help you leave an abusive employer without losing your status in Canada. See our full guide: I already paid — what do I do now? →

Employers cannot legally do this. Threatening deportation or permit cancellation to extort money is a crime. You have rights in Canada regardless of your work status. Document the threats and report them to IRCC through their official abuse-reporting channels.

You can use the federal Service Canada fraud reporting form to flag abuse confidentially. You can also report suspicious job postings directly on Job Bank to help protect others. If you are in immediate danger, contact local police.

Before your first paycheque, focus on three things: open a Canadian bank account (some newcomer programs waive fees for your first year), create a spending plan so rent and savings don't compete, and get a secured credit card to start building Canadian credit history from day one. Your foreign credit score doesn't transfer — you start from scratch. Free newcomer financial tools at buildcreditcanada.ca →

Bank wire transfers typically cost 4–6% in exchange rate markup plus flat fees — that's hundreds of dollars per year on regular remittances. Services like Wise, Remitly, and Remitbee can cut that to under 1%. The best option depends on your destination country and transfer amount. Compare remittance services →

No. Canadian credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion Canada) have no access to foreign credit histories. You start from zero regardless of your home country score. The fastest path to 700+ involves a secured credit card, on-time payments, and low utilization — a realistic timeline is 12–18 months with consistent habits. See the credit-building timeline →

Not all of them. Many legitimate employers use the TFWP to hire workers for genuine labour shortages. However, fraud is unfortunately common in certain sectors, and some recruiters treat LMIAs as a commodity to sell rather than a tool to fill real jobs. Verify carefully before paying anything or signing anything.

Yes. Your searches are private — we don't store or share the names you search with employers or the government. This tool is meant to be a safe place to do your due diligence without fear of retaliation.