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April 26th, 2024 at 12:20 am
Canada’s Innovation Stream Pilot: LMIA-Exempt Work Permits for High-Growth Companies
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued updated guidelines for its Innovation Stream Pilot, which will allow certain firms to hire highly trained foreign workers and bring them to Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This new program is intended to help Canada’s groundbreaking Global Hypergrowth Project
This initiative aims to assist chosen high-growth enterprises in attracting highly talented international individuals and bringing those capabilities to Canada. The Pilot will last nearly two years, but employees may acquire an employer-specific work visa lasting for up to five years. Their accompanying family members may also be issued an open work permit.
Key Features of Innovation Stream Pilot
The Innovation Stream Pilot enables select Canadian enterprises to hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This pilot is intended exclusively for employment in National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, which are classified as highly skilled positions. These categories include positions that demand extensive training, education, experience, and responsibility.
One of the most significant features of this trial is the inclusion of family members of foreign workers, who will be eligible for open work permits. This means that wives and children can work for nearly any firm in Canada, which makes the program more appealing to potential applicants.
Duration and Background
The Innovation Stream, which will continue for two years until March 22, 2026, is part of a larger initiative to strengthen Canada’s tech sector. It is consistent with the Canada Tech Strategy, which was launched by the Immigration Minister on June 27, 2023, and intends to foster the growth of innovative enterprises through targeted immigration policies.
What is Canada’s Global Hypergrowth Project?
Canada’s Global Hypergrowth Project supports innovative, high-growth Canadian companies that meet a variety of additional selection criteria, including ESG indicators. These businesses will receive additional support to help them grow and thrive.
One aspect of this is offering access to the top people that these organizations require. The Innovation Stream Pilot will assist these selected enterprises in attracting talented, highly skilled personnel from all over the world.
Which Companies Were Selected for the Global Hypergrowth Project?
The following companies have been chosen for the Global Hypergrowth Project.
- Ada
- AlayaCare
- CellCarta
- Clarius
- Clio
- DPG (Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group)
- Lightspeed
Employers from this group will be able to hire highly trained people from around the world and bring them to Canada until the pilot program ends. The Innovation Stream is now scheduled to conclude on March 22, 2026, unless extended.
What Workers Should Know: Eligibility & Application
Because this pilot program applies to certain employers, the process for obtaining a work visa through this program may look like this:
- Receive a genuine employment offer for an eligible position from an Innovation Stream Pilot-qualified firm.
- Apply for an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit through the IRCC Secure Account.
- Wait for the decision on your work permit before moving to Canada.
How Long Will It Take To Process The Innovation Stream Permit?
It is worth mentioning that applicants applying for TEER 0 or 1 positions from outside of Canada may be eligible for 2-week work permit processing through this stream. Yes, you could go from job offer to application to residing in Canada in one month with this test program.
Those applying for TEER 2 or 3 employment through this program are not eligible for the 2-week permit processing window and can expect it to take longer. The processing times for this stream have not previously been reported.
Eligibility for the Innovation Stream Pilot.
To qualify for the Innovation Stream Pilot, you must demonstrate:
- Your employment offer comes from one of the companies chosen to participate in the Global Hypergrowth Project.
- Your job offer is for a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- The employee will be paid competitively.
- The offer includes a wage evaluation on the first day of work and then annually by January 1 to ensure that worker earnings remain competitive with the market rate.
- If you are already in Canada, you must be either a valid temporary resident or qualified for status restoration.
The wage requirement
The wage criterion is a little complicated, but it is intended to ensure that the temporary worker receives competitive compensation for executing the activity. Specific needs outline:
The offered wage for the position is at or above the province or territory’s median hourly wage. AND
Meets the standards of the relevant collective bargaining agreement;
OR (if there is no collective bargaining agreement)
It is either:
- At the higher of either the median wage for the occupation listed in the Job Bank’s Wage Report; OR
- Within the pay range of current employees hired for the same job and location with comparable skills and experience.
What happens if the offered wage does not match this requirement?
If the wage/salary offered does not match the wage requirement, the employer must file for an LMIA. It will be unable to make use of LMIA-exempt employment permits.
Current Positions Available
Here are some of the current openings at the NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 level:
- Director of Marketing (TEER 0).
- Business intelligence analyst (TEER 1).
- Job titles include data modeller (TEER 1), data scientist (TEER 1), and in-house counsel.
- Computer systems and software developers (TEER 1).
- Cybersecurity specialist (TEER 1).
- Software engineers and designers (TEER 1) and workplace experience coordinators (TEER 3).
The following links can be used to search for open opportunities at Hypergrowth Project companies:
- ADA Job Board
- AlayaCare Careers
- CellCarta Careers
- Clarius Careers
- Clio and DPG both provide career opportunities.
- Lightspeed Careers Vive Careers.
Understand Employer-Specific Work Permits
An employer-specific work permit in Canada is tailored to the individual’s job specifics, such as the employer’s name, length of employment, and permissible work area. This precision guarantees that both the employer and the employee follow the agreed-upon conditions, so protecting the employment arrangement’s integrity and purpose.
The Innovation Stream Pilot highlights Canada’s proactive strategy to increasing its global competitiveness in attracting and keeping outstanding talent. By lowering regulatory barriers and giving chances for families, Canada is creating a friendly environment for qualified people seeking to contribute to its innovative businesses. This strategy not only benefits workers, but it also assists Canadian businesses in their growth and expansion efforts, resulting in a more dynamic and competitive economy.
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