LMIA Application for new restaurants

[wsm_al]

Hi Folks,
I am new to the business world and I am planning to start a restaurant business in Alberta. I can't find the chefs that I want to cook our traditional middle eastern food. So I have to hire chefs from the middle east. I understand that I have to apply for LMIA first and then the foreign workers will apply for the work permit. My question is, do I have to operate my restaurant first before I apply for the LMIA? i.e., do I have to have an existing restaurant in order to apply for the LMIA? is there a way I can offer a job to the chefs and apply for the LMIA before I open the restaurant?
It takes 8 months to process the work permit in Abu dhabi. so If I have to open the restaurant first and then apply for the LMIA, this means that my restaurant will be closed and I will pay rent for 8 months until the chefs arrive to Canada because no one else here in Alberta can cook the food that I want to sell in my restaurant.
So, please advise if the government here allows to process LMIA and work permits before you open or register the business. This is because registering the restaurant will require to have an address and basically rent a place.
I hope my situation makes sense,
Thanks in advance,

 

[scylla]

You have to be actively engaged in the business to qualify to apply for an LMIA. So to the best of my knowledge, it's not possible to submit an LMIA for a business that hasn't yet opened.