What is the High-Wage Stream of the LMIA and who qualifies?
The High-Wage Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program applies when an employer wants to hire a foreign worker in a position that pays at or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage. In Ontario, the applicable median wage is set by federal wage data and updated periodically.
High-Wage Stream employers must conduct a minimum period of recruitment on Job Bank and at least two additional recruitment methods appropriate to the occupation (such as professional associations, specialized job boards, or post-secondary career fairs). They must document all recruitment efforts and explain why Canadian applicants were not selected.
Compared to the Low-Wage Stream, the High-Wage Stream has fewer additional employer obligations — for example, there is no requirement to provide transportation or housing for the worker. However, employers must still commit to paying the prevailing wage and comply with all workplace laws, and they remain subject to Service Canada compliance inspections.
High-wage positions are also eligible for the Global Talent Stream if the occupation is on the eligible occupations list and the employer meets the other GTS requirements, which may enable faster processing.
Key takeaways
- The High-Wage Stream applies to positions at or above the Ontario median hourly wage.
- Recruitment must include Job Bank and at least two other appropriate methods.
- Fewer additional obligations than the Low-Wage Stream, but prevailing-wage commitment applies.
- Eligible positions may qualify for the faster Global Talent Stream instead.