GLOBAL TALENT STREAM
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) was tailor-made for employers who want to speed up hiring skilled temporary foreign workers for specialized roles. LMIA in this category for work permit is processed faster.
Effective April 4, 2022 employers who submit an LMIA for a high-wage position may request an employment duration of up to 3 years for the following programs; The Global Talent Stream, Caregiver positions, Agricultural streams.
Highest-Demand Occupations
Employers hiring a temporary foreign worker for a skilled trades position with a wage that is higher than the provincial median wage, can expect LMIA application to be processed within 10 days. The occupations are critical to infrastructure development and have significant economic benefits to Canada.
Highest Paid Occupations
Employers hiring a temporary foreign worker in the highest-paid occupations that offer wages in the top 10 percent of wages earned by Canadians in the province or territory where the job will have their LMIAs processed within 10 days.
Short Duration Occupations
Employers hiring a temporary foreign worker for a period of 120 consecutive calendar days with the wage offered at or above provincial or territorial median wage will have their LMIA expedited.
Category A
Category B
Employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers for occupations found on the Global Talent Occupation List, which have been determined to be in-demand and for which there is no insufficient domestic labour supply. For Global Talent Occupation list for category B of the GTS click here
Employers in both categories are required to meet payment conditions for skilled workers. Foreign workers hired through the GTS must be paid at or above the legal minimum wage.
Employers must also collaborate with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to create a Labour Market Benefits Plan that outlines the positive benefits that international talent will bring to the Canadian labour market, as well as the activities the employer will undertake to encourage job creation, skills, and training investments.
Exemptions from the Need for a Work Permit
Two new categories of workers are now free from the requirement to obtain a work permit under the Global Talent Stream.
Highly skilled workers in TEER category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification may enter Canada without a work permit for 15 days every six months or 30 days every year.
Researchers working on research projects at a publicly funded institution or affiliated research institution may enter Canada without a work permit for 120 days in a 12-month period.