“LMIA job available, pay $X to secure your slot” is one of the most common immigration scams targeting Africans and Asians. Here is how to check an offer properly.
1. Check the employer
- Find the company’s own website and Canadian business registration. Every province has a corporate registry.
- Check that the address and phone number are real. Search Google Maps and call the main line.
- Look for the job on Job Bank. LMIA employers usually must advertise there.
2. Understand the LMIA
- An LMIA is issued to the employer, for a specific job, wage and location.
- Once approved, the employer gives you a copy of the decision letter with the LMIA number, which you need for your work permit application.
- ESDC publishes lists of employers that received positive LMIAs. Check whether the employer appears for your occupation.
3. Know the money rules
- The $1,000 LMIA fee is paid by the employer and must not be recovered from you.
- Employers and recruiters must not charge you for a job. Several provinces ban recruitment fees outright.
- Your work permit fees are paid to the Government of Canada through the official IRCC portal.
4. Check the representative
Paid immigration consultants must be licensed with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), and lawyers with a Canadian law society. Search the public register.
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How Canadian employer sponsorship works: most employers hiring a foreign worker must first get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), proving they could not find a Canadian to do the job. The employer pays the $1,000 LMIA fee and may not recover it from you. From 1 April 2026, low-wage LMIAs still face a 10% workforce cap (up to 15% for some rural employers in participating provinces) and are refused in many cities with unemployment at or above 6%. Rules change often, so check Canada.ca.
Report fraud
Use IRCC’s “Protect yourself from fraud” page and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report scams.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check an LMIA number online?
There is no public lookup by number, but ESDC publishes lists of employers with positive LMIAs, and you can ask the employer for the decision letter.
Is it legal for a consultant to charge me?
Licensed consultants can charge for immigration services, but no one may charge you for the job offer itself.
Where do I report a scam?
To IRCC and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and also to police in your own country.
Information checked in October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website before applying or paying any fees.
