Canada Global Talent Stream (GTS) under Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Global Talent Stream, a fast-track stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), was launched on June 22, 2017, for international highly skilled workers in specific occupations. The two intended categories of this stream are High-growth companies and in-demand occupations, as defined by the Canadian government.

A program of Employment and Social Development Canada has released the Global Talent Stream, in which it prioritises the processing of applications for work permits in high-demand occupations that require the specialised talent of global workers.

Under this program, employers who need a vacancy to be filled immediately and are unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may invite overseas candidates to join them on an immediate basis.

Employers authorised to hire through the Global Talent Stream can directly offer positions to overseas skilled professionals. The required process to invite overseas candidates includes a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a work permit, which takes 10 Business days to complete applications.

This program will initially be trialled for 24 months. If it proves profitable, it will be continued further.

Categories of Global Talent Stream  

There are two categories under the GTS

Eligibility for Category high-growth companies that need in-demand talent for foreign candidates.;

And

Eligibility for Category B– if you are in search of highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations founded on the Global Talent occupations list.

Companies in any sector acknowledged as high-growth companies fall under category A.

The following is the list of organisations that are Employment and Social Development Canada-designated referrals for the GTS:-

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• BC Tech Association
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Communitech Corporation
• Council of Canadian Innovators
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
• Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
• ICT Manitoba (ICTAM)
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
• MaRS Discovery District
• National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
• Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• Ontario Ministry of Economic Growth and Development
• VENN Innovation

Additional requirements for Category A are that they need to prove that the company is hiring unique and specialised talent and/or a minimum of five years’ specialised experience.

Future employees with advanced knowledge of the industry, holding relevant advanced qualifications, may be suitable. The candidate should be highly compensated with a salary of at least CAD 80,000 per year or above.

Category B (Skills Shortage Organisations that demonstrate a demand

Organisations that demonstrate a demand for foreign talent to fill high-skilled occupations due to skill shortages and can pay the existing minimum wages a higher amount come under category B.

Below are the in-demand occupations that have been identified as having a skill shortage in Canada. (This list may be updated periodically.)

 Work Permit Introduced

Two new work permits are also intrJune 12 ofJune 12e 12017, that the occupations which comes under the ‘O’ & ‘A’ list of National Occupation Classification those candidates can work in Canada for a period of 15 dah period as well as researchers undertaking projects in Canada can stay for 120 days in 12 month period, without the work permit.