Maple News reports that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated LMIA processing times for February 2026, showing increases across nearly all streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), even as temporary foreign worker admissions declined in 2026.
The most pronounced rise occurred in the High-wage stream (jobs paid at or above the regional wage threshold), with processing times increasing from 46 to 60 business days—a 14-day jump. Other streams posted smaller increases: the Global Talent Stream rose from 10 to 12 days; the Agricultural Stream from 14 to 15 days; the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program remained at 10 days; and the Low-wage stream climbed from 44 to 48 days. The Permanent Resident stream remains the longest LMIA processing time, though it declined by 22 days to 244 days.
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is the only stream to show no change since November 2025. The Global Talent Stream, which targets job offers in 22 in-demand occupations, has now exceeded ESDC’s 10-day service standard for LMIA processing.
For employers, these delays can complicate recruitment timelines and project planning, underscoring the value of early LMIA preparation. Maple News will continue monitoring LMIA trends and any policy updates affecting temporary workers and Canadian employers.