April 10th, 2024 at 02:04 am

Canada Global Talent Stream 2024 | Fastest Work Permit Route

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) initiative in Canada is a fast-track program designed to draw in exceptionally skilled professionals to meet the demands of the country’s labor market. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s (TFWP) Global Talent Stream is managed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Authorization of work permit applications is the responsibility of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Introduced as a two-year trial program in June 2017, the GTS aims to facilitate the entry of competent foreign workers into particular occupations where a glaring talent shortfall exists in Canada.

With this program, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and finally the work permit can be processed more quickly. In this piece, we examine the Global Talent Stream’s eligibility requirements, application process, and processing timelines.

Global Talent Stream Eligibility

For overseas workers and firms to be eligible for the Global Talent Stream, they must meet several requirements:

Employer Qualifications:

• Employer Compliance: To be exempt from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), employers must have a track record of upholding Canadian labor laws and not have any major infractions or convictions.
• Work Market Benefits Plan: Employers must prepare a Work Market Benefits Plan outlining their commitment to measures that advance the Canadian labor market. This strategy should specify the employer’s commitment to offering training and skills to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Eligibility for a Job Offer:

• Classification of job offers: The role must fall into one of the two categories listed below:

Category A: Your Canadian employer must be recommended by one of the GTS’s approved partners for you to qualify for Category A benefits.

Click here to view the list of approved partners for Category A

Category B: Companies who want to be qualified for GTS Category B have to actively look for highly qualified foreign candidates to fill jobs on the Global Talent Occupations List that are in great demand.

Click here to view the full list of occupations eligible under Category B of GTS.

• Pay Threshold: The compensation given to the foreign worker must meet or exceed the going wage in the location where the work will be performed.

Eligibility for Foreign Workers:

• Experience and Education criteria: Foreign workers must fulfill the experience, education, and training criteria for the post being offered.
• Language Proficiency: Depending on the requirements of the profession, proficiency in either English or French may be required.

Application Process

Two steps in the Global Talent Stream application procedure include obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and submitting an application for a work visa. Here’s a quick summary:

Employer Readiness

Before applying for the GTS, employers should make sure they meet all eligibility conditions and have a clear concept of the position they wish to fill.

Application for LMIA

Employers must submit an LMIA application to ESDC. As part of this process, they must provide comprehensive information on the position, including its duties, requirements, and recruitment efforts aimed toward Canadians.

Make a Labor Market Benefits Plan

Along with their LMIA application, employers must submit a Labour Market Benefits Plan outlining their efforts to help the Canadian labor market.

Assessment of LMIA

The ESDC will review the LMIA application and the accompanying Labour Market Benefits Plan to determine if the company meets the requirements of the Global Talent Stream.

Request a Work Permit

Once the company receives a positive LMIA, the foreign worker may apply for a work permit. Depending on their nation of residence, the employee might also need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Granting a Permit to Work

After the IRCC approves their work permit application, the foreign worker will receive their work permit, allowing them to enter Canada and begin employment.

Global Talent Stream Canada Processing Time

Two elements that may impact the length of time it takes to process an application under the Global Talent Stream are the number of applications that are filed and the complexity of the case. The Canadian government has nevertheless taken action to expedite the processing of GTS applications to meet the needs of businesses and foreign workers.

The LMIA application processing times for the Global Talent Stream are currently frequently faster than those of the TFWP’s other streams. As of March 2024, the GTS’s average processing time for LMIAs is seven working days.

After the LMIA is approved and the application is submitted, GTS candidates usually experience quicker work permit processing times than those of other LMIA-based work permit streams. Qualified foreign workers can typically obtain a work permit in a matter of weeks, allowing them to start working in Canada immediately.

Full List of Occupations Eligible Under Global Talent Stream Category B