LMIA for Construction Employers
Construction is treated more favourably than almost any other sector under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It carries the elevated 20% cap — and it is exempt from the census metropolitan area processing freeze that is currently blocking low-wage hiring across most of urban Canada.
20%
Elevated Cap for Construction
Exempt
From the CMA Processing Freeze
26
CMAs Frozen for Low-Wage
$1,000
LMIA Fee per Position
Where construction stands right now
Construction sits on the right side of every major restriction currently in force. It is one of only a handful of sectors granted the elevated 20% cap on low-wage positions — double the standard allowance. More significantly, positions in construction (NAICS 23) are on ESDC’s list of applications exempted from the refusal-to-process measure, which means the CMA unemployment freeze does not apply to your worksites at all. That single fact separates construction from sectors like food service, where urban low-wage hiring is effectively closed. Construction is also a named priority in several provincial nominee programs, so a permanent pathway usually runs alongside the temporary one.
Which stream applies to you
Run the wage test first. If the hourly rate for the trade is at or above the threshold for your province — the median hourly wage plus 20% — the position is high-wage and the cap does not apply to it at all. Journeyperson rates in most provinces clear this comfortably; helper and labourer rates often do not. Because construction is exempt from the CMA freeze either way, the wage test here is really about two things: your cap position, and whether you advertise for 4 weeks or 8. It is common for a single construction employer to have positions in both streams, and each is assessed separately.
Wage Thresholds by Province
The wage thresholds below were updated July 10, 2026 and apply to LMIA applications received on or after July 17, 2026.
The two rules that decide your outcome
Construction gets the elevated 20% cap
Construction (NAICS 23) is on the short list of sectors permitted 20% of the total workforce at a work location in low-wage positions — double the 10% standard that applies to most industries. The other sectors on that list are food manufacturing (NAICS 311), hospitals (NAICS 622), nursing and residential care (NAICS 623), and certain in-home caregiver occupations. High-wage positions are not counted against the cap at all. If you have fewer than 10 workers across all Canadian worksites, you are limited to 2 low-wage temporary foreign workers.
Construction is exempt from the CMA processing freeze
Positions in construction (NAICS 23) appear on ESDC’s list of applications exempted from the refusal-to-process measure. A low-wage construction position therefore remains eligible for processing even where the worksite is inside a census metropolitan area with unemployment at 6% or higher. The restriction that has closed low-wage hiring in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and much of urban Canada does not reach your sites. The exemption attaches to the sector, so what matters is that the work genuinely falls under NAICS 23 — which is exactly the sort of thing an inspector will test.
26 census metropolitan areas are currently affected by the low-wage freeze (July 10 – October 8, 2026). The list is refreshed quarterly — next update October 9, 2026. See the full list and rules.
Construction Occupations Recognised in Provincial Construction Streams
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 70010 | Construction managers |
| 70011 | Home building and renovation managers |
| 72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 73100 | Concrete finishers |
| 73102 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 73110 | Roofers and shinglers |
| 73200 | Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
| 73400 | Heavy equipment operators |
| 75101 | Material handlers |
| 75110 | Construction trades helpers and labourers |
| 75119 | Other trades helpers and labourers |
This is the occupation list recognised under Nova Scotia’s construction stream, and it is a useful map of the trades that provincial construction pathways typically target. An LMIA itself is not restricted to these codes — any legitimate construction occupation can be supported. We confirm the exact NOC for each position before advertising.
Your realistic options
These are the levers that actually change the answer for construction employers. Which one fits depends on your wage, your work location, and your existing workforce.
Run the wage test on every position separately
Journeyperson trades often clear the provincial threshold and qualify as high-wage — which removes the cap entirely and cuts advertising from 8 weeks to 4. Helpers and labourers usually do not. Splitting your hiring plan along this line is the highest-value first step.
Use the 20% cap deliberately
For the low-wage roles you cannot lift above the threshold, construction’s 20% allowance gives you twice the room most sectors get. Knowing your exact position against the cap, per worksite, tells you how many you can actually bring in.
Build on the freeze exemption — but document the sector properly
Because construction is exempt from the CMA freeze, urban worksites stay open to you when they are closed to most other employers. The exemption rests on the position genuinely falling under NAICS 23, so the sector classification and the described duties need to hold up under scrutiny. Rural employers in participating provinces may also access temporary measures on the cap.
Pair it with a permanent residence pathway
Construction is a named priority in several provincial programs — Nova Scotia runs a dedicated construction stream covering the trades listed above. For workers you intend to keep, a nomination pathway is often the stronger play than repeat work permits.
Compliance risks specific to construction
Non-compliance can carry penalties of up to $100,000 per violation, to a maximum of $1 million per year, plus a program ban and public disclosure. See employer compliance.
How Asteco helps construction employers
The rules change quarterly and the cost of getting them wrong is an eight-week recruitment campaign for an application that was never going to be processed. Our RCIC-regulated team tells you where you stand before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
Does construction really get a higher cap than other sectors?
Yes. Construction (NAICS 23) is one of a small number of sectors permitted 20% of the workforce at a worksite in low-wage positions, against a 10% standard elsewhere. High-wage positions do not count toward the cap at all.
Are my carpenters and electricians high-wage or low-wage?
It depends on the hourly rate against your province’s threshold — the median wage plus 20% — not the trade itself. Journeyperson rates frequently clear it, which puts those positions in the high-wage stream and removes both the cap and the freeze. Helpers and labourers usually fall below it.
My site is in a CMA that shows 6% or higher unemployment. Can I still hire?
Yes. Positions in construction (NAICS 23) are on ESDC’s list of applications exempted from the refusal-to-process measure, so the CMA unemployment freeze does not apply to construction worksites. This is a significant advantage over sectors such as food service, which are not exempt. The caps on the proportion of low-wage positions still apply.
Is there a permanent route for the trades I bring in?
Often, yes. Nova Scotia runs a construction stream covering the trades listed on this page, and construction is a stated priority in several provincial programs. For a worker you want to retain, this is usually worth planning from the outset rather than after the fact.
Disclaimer: LMIA requirements, wage thresholds, CMA freeze lists, and program rules are established by ESDC and are subject to change without notice. The CMA unemployment freeze list is updated quarterly — always verify current status at canada.ca before submitting an application. This page reflects program requirements as of July 15, 2026. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult Asteco before making any LMIA-related decisions.
Can you actually hire?
We will tell you honestly — before you spend a dollar on recruitment.
Get an LMIA AssessmentContact AstecoQuick Facts
Information reflects TFWP rules as of July 15, 2026. Program criteria, wage thresholds, and the CMA freeze list are set by ESDC and change without notice. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
Other LMIA Guides
The rules land differently depending on your sector and where you operate. These guides cover the specifics.
Healthcare & Long-Term Care
NAICS 622 & 623 · 20% cap · Exempt from the CMA freeze
Read the guideSector GuideTrucking
NOC 73300 · Terminal location matters · 10% cap
Read the guideSector GuideRestaurants & Food Service
NAICS 72 · 10% cap · Most affected by the freeze
Read the guideLocation GuidePrince Edward Island
No CMAs in PEI · Freeze does not apply · Lowest wage threshold
Read the guide