Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) announced that it will no longer issue labor market opinions (LMOs) without expiration dates. This ensures that current labor market conditions are accurately assessed upon issuance.

In May 2009, HRSDC mandated that LMOs submitted with work permit applications would only be valid for six months. LMOs submitted after the expiration date will not be considered and those applications will be returned as incomplete.

Live-in caregiver applications in Quebec are an exception. In these instances, applicants first apply for an LMO and then, upon receipt but before applying for a work permit, must apply for the certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ). These LMOs will be valid for three months following a CAQ’s issuance.

The LMO expiration date is different from the LMO duration of employment or the work permit expiration period. The LMO expiration date determines whether an LMO is valid when the work permit application is submitted, whereas the LMO work duration represents the timeframe of work the employer had requested and which was approved by HRSDC. The duration of work permits remains at the discretion of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canada Border Services Agency. It should be noted that if an employer has specific timelines for a short employment opportunity, HRSDC/Service Canada may issue LMO confirmations that expire in under 6 months.