The Global Talent Stream is open for international highly skilled workers with a priority processing time of two weeks for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approval and another 2 weeks for work permit. This is an aspect of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program which aims to allow companies to grow by letting them access highly skilled talents quickly.

If you are a foreign national worker, you can avail of the two-week processing if you have submitted your online application on June 12, 2017 or later. It requires a job offer from an employer as well as a LMIA but the employer does not need to advertise.

What is the Global Talent Stream?

• It is a fast processing for highly skilled workers who want to work in Canada.
• Standard time for processing is two weeks
• The GTS allows a processing time of 10 business days for the LMIA and work permit applications for employers who have been allowed to hire employees through the GTS.
• Through the LMIA document, the employer provides proof that there is no Canadian citizen who is readily available, willing, and able to do the specific work that is needed. The employer now, through the LMIA document, may apply for a work permit.
• It eliminates the need for a short-term highly skilled worker or brief academic engagements to apply for a work permit, if the stay will be 30 days or less in a 12 month period.

This is only applicable for highly skilled workers who are applying outside of Canada.  The general criteria for employers/employees are:

Legitimacy of Employer’s Trade or Industry

Employers who apply to the TFWP for the first time must submit their documents before they can take advantage of the GTS. The documents submitted serve as proof of their active engagement in the business and must indicate that the employer is capable of providing the services and wages related to the job offer. Returning employers are not required to submit their documents again. However, additional papers may be asked as proof the next time.

These documents may include tax documents, current business license, incorporation forms, and other verified documents.

Job Duties, Compensation, Working Conditions, and other Benefits

The job duties, compensation, working conditions, and benefits stated during the hiring of the skilled workers should be what the worker performs or receives. Highly skilled workers are protected under Canadian law that also protects Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It would be a violation to a foreign worker should the employer perform otherwise.

All foreign workers should be supplied work safety insurance as required by law. There should also be clear cut guidelines according to the Labor Code upon the termination of employment of a foreign worker.

Language Restriction

There is no language restriction other than English or French when posting for a job vacancy. Special consideration will be given once an employer states during the application stage that a certain language is required and the immigration officers deems it is essential.

Wages

Wages must be the same amount of prevailing wage offered to Canadian citizens or PR who hold the same position.

Recruitment

It is encouraged for employers to seek for job candidates within Canada first and exhaust all means before seeking to employ from outside of Canada.

Employer Agreement

Employers who go through the GTS must agree and comply to the qualifications sought by the TFWP

Employers in Quebec

Quebec employers were given full advantage to the GTS as of Sept.11, 2017. One main difference is that Quebec employers must submit their application also to the ESDC and Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (QMIDI).

The Global Talent Stream has two categories under which you can apply:

Category A

You are eligible to the Category A of the Global Talent Stream if you are referred by the Stream’s chosen partners and if you are hired because of your exceptional and specialized skill. Companies under Category A are those who show steady growth and prove they have a need to hire skilled workers.

As of June 2017, the updated partner organizations are:

• ICT Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
• Invest Ottawa
• MaRS Discovery District
• National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
• Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
• Venn Innovation
• Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
• Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training
• Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.
• Communitech Corporation
• Council of Canadian Innovators
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• BC Tech Association
• Business Development Bank of Canada

Category B

You are eligible to apply under Category B of the Global Talent Stream if you are looking to be hired as a highly skilled international worker that would fill a vacancy found on the Global Talent Occupations List.

The Global Talent Occupations List is updated regularly; it is compiled by labour market experts, key companies, and government agencies and is available

 

In both categories, employers are required to provide the conditions set for the payment of the highly skilled workers. The prevailing wage is defined as the highest figure in:

• The average wage for employment on Canada’s Job Bank
• The average wage the employer pays currently hired employees of the similar position in similar location, with similar skills and experiences
• The minimum wage floor, if applicable, as described in the Global Talent occupations list

How do you know if you can avail of the two-week processing and what should you do in order to avail it?

• You are LMIA exempt and:
  • Applying from outside of Canada
  • The occupation is specified by the employer and is either a managerial skill or a professional skill by the National Occupation Classification;
  • You have submitted the application online and paid the employer agreement fee
• LMIA is required by the employer which takes 2 weeks. Your identity is established in the Come to Canada Wizard and that you are part of the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Make sure to:
  • Complete your medicals as required by the IRPA Regulations
  • Pay biometric fee upon submission of e-application
  • Procure biometrics within 2 weeks after submission of application
  • If from an visa free county obtain an ETA prior to traveling.

Processing Fee

In order for your application to be processed, your employer will pay $1,000 CAD for each position you request in the GTS to Service Canada as well as submit an application. This amount is to be paid by the employer and not by the applicant.

• $1,000 CAD (payment can be made using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express)
• Processing Fee will be forfeited upon withdrawal, cancellation or negative assessment of application
• Refund can only be released if fee collection error occurs
• Temporary foreign workers should not pay nor recover the processing fee which is $155 CAD.

Please Note: Should you meet the criteria for two-week processing, your spouse and dependents are also eligible for the two-week processing and must apply at the same time. Your spouse would obtain an open work permit and your child would obtain a study permit if school age (or a visitor visa if not school age.)