Program delivery update: Seafood and fish plant workers (low-wage cap exempt)
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
April 4, 2022
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is required to cap the percentage of temporary workers at locations where the employer is offering below-median wages. The instructions have been updated to reflect that ESDC is changing the work duration for cap-exempt Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for fish and seafood processors from 180 to 270 days beginning in February 2022.
However, some LMIAs have already been issued with a duration of 180 days. Officers must check the ESDC Comments and Duration fields in the LMIA in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) and issue work permits according to the duration of the LMIA.