contact12422 72 Ave #207, Surrey, BC V3W 2M5

contactMon - Fri : 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Appointment
Appointment

Global Talent Stream

Fast-track work permits for skilled global talent

More Details
Icon

Licensed Immigration Consultant

Icon

Years of Industry of Experience

Icon

Thousands of Satisfied Clients

Icon

Expert and Trained Staff

Fast-Track Innovation: Global Talent Stream Work Permit

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a program developed by the Canadian government to assist employers in hiring highly skilled foreign workers. This program was created to meet the growing demand for highly skilled workers in Canada’s technology sector and other industries.

The GTS program enables Canadian employers to obtain work permits for highly skilled foreign workers within two weeks. This program is designed to provide a faster and more efficient process for hiring highly skilled workers. The program provides an accelerated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process for eligible employers, which enables them to recruit highly skilled foreign workers more quickly.

To qualify for the GTS program, an employer must be referred by one of the GTS’s designated partners. These partners include Canadian Economic Development Agencies, which work with companies in specific regions, as well as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, which works with companies in the tech industry.

The GTS program has two categories: Category A and Category B. Category A is for employers who have been referred by one of the GTS’s designated partners and have been identified as having unique and specialized talent needs. Category B is for employers who have a position that is included on the GTS’s list of in-demand occupations.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the Global Talent Stream (GTS) program in Canada vary depending on the category that an employer is applying for. Here are the eligibility requirements for each category:

Category A:

  1. The employer must be referred by one of the GTS’s designated partners, which include Canadian Economic Development Agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
  2. The employer must be hiring for a position that is considered unique and specialized, and that cannot be easily filled by a Canadian worker.
  3. The employer must be committed to creating jobs for Canadians and to transferring skills and knowledge to Canadian workers.

Category B:

  1. The employer must be hiring for a position that is included on the GTS’s list of in-demand occupations, which is regularly updated by the Canadian government.
  2. The employer must be able to demonstrate that they have made significant efforts to recruit Canadian workers for the position but have been unable to fill it.
  3. The employer must be committed to creating jobs for Canadians and to transferring skills and knowledge to Canadian workers.

In addition to these requirements, all employers must meet the following criteria:

  1. They must be registered and in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency.
  2. They must have a business operating in Canada.
  3. They must be able to demonstrate that they have a track record of compliance with Canadian immigration and labour laws.
  4. They must provide a job offer letter to the foreign worker outlining the terms and conditions of employment.
  5. They must pay the foreign worker the prevailing wage for the position in the region where the worker will be employed.

How to apply?

To apply for the Global Talent Stream (GTS) in Canada, an employer must follow these steps:

  1. Determine if your company is eligible: As mentioned earlier, the GTS program has specific eligibility requirements. Before you start the application process, make sure that your company meets the eligibility criteria for the GTS category you wish to apply for.
  2. Find a designated partner: If you are applying for Category A, you must be referred by one of the GTS’s designated partners. These partners include Canadian Economic Development Agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Contact a designated partner to request a referral.
  3. Submit your application: Once you have been referred by a designated partner, you can submit your application for the GTS program. The application process varies depending on the category you are applying for. You will need to provide information about your company, the position you are hiring for, and the foreign worker you wish to hire.
  4. Pay the fees: There are fees associated with applying for the GTS program. The fee for Category A is CAD 1,000, while the fee for Category B is CAD 230.
  5. Wait for a decision: After submitting your application and paying the fees, you will need to wait for a decision. If your application is approved, you will receive a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) and the foreign worker will be able to apply for a work permit. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the decision.

Who is a designated partner?

A designated partner is a Canadian organization that has been approved by the Canadian government to refer employers to Category A of the Global Talent Stream (GTS) program. To apply for the program, an employer must be referred by one of these designated partners. The designated partner will assess the employer’s eligibility and determine if they meet the specific requirements for the GTS category they are applying for. If the designated partner determines that the employer is eligible, they will provide a referral to the employer. Working with a designated partner can help employers streamline the GTS application process and increase their chances of success. They can provide guidance on the eligibility requirements, help with the application process, and provide support throughout the entire process of hiring highly skilled foreign workers.

List of Designated Partners for Category A (as of December 2021):

Pan-Canadian

The Atlantic Region

  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (multiple locations across the region)

New Brunswick

  • Ignite Fredericton
  • Venn Innovation
  • Government of New Brunswick – Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labou

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Genesis

Nova Scotia

  • Cape Breton Partnership
  • Government of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Business Inc.
  • Halifax Partnership

Prince Edward Island

  • Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.

Central Canada

Ontario

  • Burlington Economic Development Corporation
  • Invest Brampton
  • Invest in Hamilton
  • City of Mississauga
  • Communitech Corporation
  • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
  • Government of Ontario, Labour, Training and Skills Development – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
  • Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade – Ontario Investment Office
  • Invest Ottawa
  • Kingston Economic Development Corporation
  • London Economic Development Corporation
  • MaRS Discovery District
  • Regional Municipality of Niagara
  • York Region
  • Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
  • Toronto Business Development Centre
  • Toronto Global
  • Town of Oakville
  • Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
  • Invest Windsor Essex

Quebec

  • Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
  • For other designated referral partners located in Quebec – Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)

Western Canada

Alberta

  • Calgary Economic Development
  • Edmonton Metropolitan Region Economic Development Company a.k.a Edmonton Global
  • Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour and Immigration

British Columbia

  • Accelerate Okanagan
  • BC Tech Association
  • Government of British Columbia, Ministry Municipal Affairs
  • Kootenay Association for Science & Technology
  • Launch Academy
  • Metro Vancouver Regional District/Invest Vancouver
  • Vancouver Economic Commission
  • Venture Kamloops

Manitoba

  • Economic Development Winnipeg
  • Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training
  • Tech Manitoba

Saskatchewan

  • Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Immigration and Career Training

    What are the occupations in the Global Talent Occupations List for Category B?
    Applications from Canadian businesses that need to hire highly skilled foreign workers for positions on the ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List that have been determined to be in-demand and for which there is a dearth of domestic labour supply will be accepted under Category B of the Global Talent Stream. The list can be found here.
  • 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
  • 21210 – Mathematicians and statisticians (except actuaries or related occupations)
  • 21211 – Data scientists
  • 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists
  • 21221 – Business system specialists
  • 21222 – Information systems specialists
  • 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
  • 21231 – Software engineers and designers
  • 21232 – Software developers and programmers
  • 21233 – Web designers
  • 21234 – Web developers and programmers
  • 21300 – Civil engineers
  • 21310 – Electrical and electronics engineers
  • 21311 – Computer engineers
  • 21330 – Mining engineers
  • 21390 – Aerospace engineers
  • 22220 – Computer network technicians
  • 22222 -Information systems testing technicians
  • 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • 51120 – Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game
  • 52120 – Digital media designers

Labour Market Benefits Plan

Candidates to the Global Talent Stream must collaborate with ESDC to create a Labour Market Benefits Plan that will benefit the Canadian labour market. Applicants in Category A must create jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while Applicants in Category B must expand investments in skills and training for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

What is the processing fee for a GTS application?

  • The overall cost of coming to Canada via the Global Talent stream ranges from $155 to $365 CAD, depending on where the job is based.
  • work permit processing fee – $155 CAD
  • Work in Quebec -must pay the $210 CAD as Québec Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) processing cost.
  • The GTS employer must cover the LMIA application cost – $1000 CAD