--- title: "After Approval: LMIA Compliance and the 6-Year Audit Rule (2025)" description: Learn what records HR must keep for 6 years post-LMIA approval. Avoid audits, fines, and bans. Book a free LMIA compliance check with AskAïa. image: https://askaia.ca/hubfs/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025.png --- [![AskAïa](https://askaia.ca/hubfs/logo-askaia/askaia_logo-1.svg "AskAïa")](https://askaia.ca/?hsLang=en) [![AskAïa](https://askaia.ca/hubfs/logo-askaia/askaia_logo-1.svg "AskAïa")](https://askaia.ca/?hsLang=en) - [About](https://askaia.ca/en/about-us) - HR Solutions - [Aïa Comply](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-comply) - [Aïa Guide](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-guide) - [Aïa Permits](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-permits) - [Aïa Services](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-professional-services) - English - [Français](https://askaia.ca/fr/blogue/lmia-2025-respecter-les-regles-apres-l-approbation-du-dossie) [Log In](https://app.askaia.ca/login) Book a Demo Book a Demo Book a Demo - [About](https://askaia.ca/en/about-us) - HR Solutions - [Aïa Comply](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-comply) - [Aïa Guide](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-guide) - [Aïa Permits](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-permits) - [Aïa Services](https://askaia.ca/en/aia-professional-services) [Login](https://app.askaia.ca/login) Visa Questions?Ask Aïa Book a Demo # After Approval: LMIA Compliance and the 6-Year Audit Rule (2025) [![Laurent Maisonnave](https://askaia.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/2024-01-Portrait%20Laurent-mini.jpg?width=40&height=40&name=2024-01-Portrait%20Laurent-mini.jpg)](https://askaia.ca/blog/author/laurent-maisonnave) by [Laurent Maisonnave Co-Founder, AskAïa Laurent Maisonnave combines HR expertise with AI to streamline global mobility and compliance, creating practical tools that support both people and organizations.](https://askaia.ca/blog/author/laurent-maisonnave) 3 min read 6/12/25, 10:30 AM Updated : Jul 22, 2025 ![\After Approval: LMIA Compliance and the 6-Year Audit Rule (2025)\](https://askaia.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025-.jpg?width=600&height=600&name=after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025-.jpg) After Approval: LMIA Compliance and the 6-Year Audit Rule (2025) 4:30 Getting an LMIA approved is a win, but it’s not the finish line. For HR teams, the true compliance challenge begins after the foreign worker is hired. As of 2025, penalties for post-approval violations have doubled, and Service Canada is expanding audits on employers years after the LMIA decision. In this article, we explain what your company must do after receiving a positive LMIA, what to document, how long to keep it, and what triggers inspections. [![End LMIA Headaches Today](https://hubspot-no-cache-na3-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/44313412/interactive-190845820702.png)](https://askaia.ca/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKSh0pX6ijMqYblHuue%2BV%2BptY3ogQJRciGb8pBNYsGFledFUcwDm53nnIS2Ky4sDSZMGcZmiH4kP5judVrN0whTzYiQoXDjqhmX7mYdbDkJhXj%2BnIVh%2FVWXxpr7S8XSVaFhK93HjPiKNmFa4wH%2B8gNANgIe3orEzqX99OG58tdPp%2FeUjNrLBYliIocwRJohRE4BoUAwV1UpNG8%2FIiMZBQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=190845820702&portalId=44313412&hsLang=en) #### What you will find in this article - [LMIA Approval Is Just the Start](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-1) - [Post-LMIA Employer Obligations](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-2) - [The 6-Year Rule: What You Must Keep on File](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-3) - [What Triggers a Compliance Audit?](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-4) - [Penalties and Public Exposure](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-5) - [Common HR Gaps in LMIA Compliance](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-6) - [How to Stay Audit-Ready](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-7) - [Quick Checklist: Is Your LMIA File Audit-Ready?](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-8) - [LMIA Compliance Is a Long Game](https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025#section-9) ## LMIA Approval Is Just the Start Once your LMIA is approved and your foreign hire starts working, your obligations as an employer shift into long-term compliance mode. Service Canada may conduct random or targeted inspections at any time in the 6 years following employment. If you can’t provide proof of compliance, you risk: - Fines of up to $100,000 per violation - Temporary or permanent bans from the LMIA program - Public listing as a non-compliant employer ## Post-LMIA Employer Obligations You must ensure the worker: - Is paid the wage stated in your LMIA - Performs the duties listed in the application - Works the hours and schedule promised - Receives benefits and housing (if applicable) as stated - Is not moved between locations or roles without prior authorization **Failure to update the LMIA or work permit when changes occur is a common audit trigger.** ## The 6-Year Rule: What You Must Keep on File By law, employers must retain all records for 6 years from the first day of employment. This includes: - LMIA decision letter & application package - Employment contract & signed offer - Time sheets & schedules - Wage payment records (pay stubs, bank proof) - Tax remittances & T4s - Proof of benefits or housing (if applicable) - Recruitment records and job postings Service Canada may request these at any time, even years after the worker has left. ## What Triggers a Compliance Audit? Your company may be selected for inspection if: - **The worker files a complaint** - You apply for **multiple LMIAs in the same role** - You're in a **high-risk sector** (e.g., retail, construction, agriculture) - Your file **has inconsistencies** (e.g., salary below market rate) [In 2024 alone, 11% of inspected employers were found non-compliant, and 20 companies were banned from the program, a fivefold increase from the previous year.](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2025/01/penalties-doubled-compared-to-last-year-for-non-compliant-employers-using-the-temporary-foreign-worker-program.html) ## Penalties and Public Exposure The consequences of non-compliance are serious and long-lasting: | **Violation** | **Potential Penalty** | | --- | --- | | Underpaying wages | Up to $100,000 fine + repayment | | Missing records (e.g. hours worked) | Monetary penalty + audit flag for future LMIAs | | Changing job duties without notice | Program suspension for up to 5 years | | Repeated violations | Permanent ban + public blacklisting on Canada.ca |   Once listed publicly, it becomes harder to hire foreign workers, even in other programs. ## Common HR Gaps in LMIA Compliance Even well-organized HR departments often fall short in areas like: - Fragmented file storage across different systems or folders - Staff turnover, leading to undocumented processes or missing case knowledge - Inconsistent record retention between payroll, HR, and operations - Untracked changes in roles, wages, or job locations during the worker’s stay Tip: Use a shared compliance checklist across your HRIS, payroll, and immigration teams to stay aligned. ## How to Stay Audit-Ready HR teams should: - Use **centralized HR systems** to store LMIA files - **Conduct internal compliance audits** annually - Keep payroll, time-tracking, and job descriptions synced - [**Work with immigration advisors to update LMIAs when changes occur**](https://askaia.ca/en/workforce-solutions?hsCtaAttrib=190845820702&hsLang=en) Tip: Avoid relying on memory, **Service Canada expects documentation, not explanations.** ## Quick Checklist: Is Your LMIA File Audit-Ready? - [Job ads and recruitment proof saved with timestamps](https://askaia.ca/blog/lmia-job-ads-2025-canada-s-compliance-rules-hr-must-follow?hsLang=en) - Contract and duties match the[LMIA application](https://askaia.ca/blog/lmia-file-prep-2025-documents-proof-transition-plans-explained?hsLang=en) - Wage, hours, and schedule records are up to date - Changes in location or role are reflected in permits - Payroll and tax records are accessible and synced - All documentation retained for 6 years by employee name ## LMIA Compliance Is a Long Game Your responsibility doesn’t end when the LMIA is approved, it continues for 6 years. The best way to stay safe is to treat LMIA compliance like a long-term legal obligation, not just an immigration step. Not sure if your file would pass an audit? [Book a free consultation with our team to plan your next hire.](https://askaia.ca/en/workforce-solutions?hsCtaAttrib=190845820702&hsLang=en) [![Get LMIA Support](https://hubspot-no-cache-na3-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/44313412/interactive-190845820526.png)](https://askaia.ca/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ7w%2F0AaKXfioZBsPYmkxBivOhHYqeQ2Fine50gDXL4eXgwdyCWwjRpWZ9NCHEMN71q5aWkYwXatole0wZceaXhDRg%2F2JB43AQgo%2BGHsLanUeBHrGj4STW4vVmuzX1UxuS0u6NExK7vb1pYfs5wyvLxCVSYOFnTgOMB1j%2BtoLXsp4WCh%2FBYH5etsxic7SPcw5o8lFNnVPWAnTEDYomDtw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=190845820526&portalId=44313412&hsLang=en)   Topics: [LMIA](https://askaia.ca/blog/tag/lmia) ![askaia-dahsboard-01](https://askaia.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/askaia-dahsboard-01.png?width=1746&height=959&name=askaia-dahsboard-01.png) #### Let’s get your demo started Book a demo Let’s get your demo started ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [LMIA File Prep 2025: Documents, Proof & Transition Plans Explained](https://askaia.ca/blog/lmia-file-prep-2025-documents-proof-transition-plans-explained?hsLang=en) ![lmia-file-prep-2025-documents-proof-transition-plans-explained-](https://askaia.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/lmia-file-prep-2025-documents-proof-transition-plans-explained-.jpg?width=1200&height=1000&name=lmia-file-prep-2025-documents-proof-transition-plans-explained-.jpg) [LMIA](https://askaia.ca/blog/tag/lmia) ### LMIA File Prep 2025: Documents, Proof & Transition Plans Explained Posting the job is only half the LMIA battle. For HR teams, most rejections happen when the file is incomplete: missing documents, vague transition pl … 6/6/25, 11:00 AM Updated : Jul 22, 2025 3 min read [LMIA Streams 2025: Pick High-Wage, Low-Wage, or GTS Fast](https://askaia.ca/blog/lmia-streams-2025-pick-high-wage-low-wage-or-gts-fast?hsLang=en) ![lmia-streams-2025-pick-high-wage-low-wage-or-gts-fast-](https://askaia.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/lmia-streams-2025-pick-high-wage-low-wage-or-gts-fast-.jpg?width=1200&height=1000&name=lmia-streams-2025-pick-high-wage-low-wage-or-gts-fast-.jpg) [LMIA](https://askaia.ca/blog/tag/lmia) ### LMIA Streams 2025: Pick High-Wage, Low-Wage, or GTS Fast Canada’s LMIA system now operates at two speeds: eight-day approvals for Global Talent Stream roles and months-long queues or outright freezes for man … 5/31/25, 9:30 AM Updated : Jul 22, 2025 4 min read [LMIA: Can you get a work permit? All Your Questions Answered](https://askaia.ca/blog/lmia-can-you-get-a-work-permit-all-your-questions-answered?hsLang=en) ![Learn how LMIA helps foreign workers and Canadian businesses. Watch expert Q&A with Bani and get real-time guidance with Aïa. Ask your questions now.](https://askaia.ca/hubfs/LMIA%20Canada-%20Can%20You%20Get%20a%20Work%20Permit-Video-AskAIa.png) [LMIA](https://askaia.ca/blog/tag/lmia) ### LMIA: Can you get a work permit? All Your Questions Answered Many newcomers struggle with securing a job in Canada due to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) complexities. Who qualifies? How do you apply? 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Powered by Admis Technologies Inc. - 5255 Avenue Decelles, Suite 5.200, Montreal, QC H3T 2B1   AskAïa is an AI-powered platform built to simplify and automate global mobility and immigration compliance for employers and international talent. Our user-friendly solution helps organizations manage work permits, renewals, and HR compliance with up-to-date insights based on current Canadian immigration rules. While AskAïa provides information and automated guidance through AI, it does not replace professional legal advice. For case-specific questions or complex immigration matters, consult a licensed Canadian immigration consultant. Trust AskAïa as your partner for compliant, efficient management of global talent mobility. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laurent Maisonnave", "url" : "https://askaia.ca/blog/author/laurent-maisonnave" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-22T16:22:49.955Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-12T14:30:02.000Z", "headline" : "After Approval: LMIA Compliance and the 6-Year Audit Rule (2025)", "image" : [ "https://askaia.ca/hubfs/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://askaia.ca/blog/after-approval-lmia-compliance-and-the-6-year-audit-rule-2025", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://admis.ca/hubfs/aia-logo-800.png" }, "name" : "Admis Technologies Inc." } } ```