Fast-Track Your Canadian Work Visa Program Through the Global Talent Stream

Canada introduced the Global Talent Stream (GTS) in November 2017 to draw in and keep the top talent from worldwide. Under the GTS, companies can seek to bring in foreign workers for two years through a fast-track work visa program. The GTS aims to diversify and improve the Canadian workforce while promoting business innovation and growth by bringing in foreign knowledge to assist Canadian companies in competing on a global scale.

NAFTA work permit rules were loosened, and the labor market impact assessment (LMIA) requirement was dropped. The GTS will also help Canada's immigration system by drawing in more qualified people who want to start enterprises and boost the national economy.

To help draw and keep more foreign talent in Canada, the Canadian government modified its Global Talent Stream (GTS) immigration program. Previously, only organizations who have received approval from the Federal Economic Development Agency of Canada for Southern Ontario could participate in the GTS (FedDev Ontario). But groups from all over Canada can apply FedDev Ontario or one of the six regional development organizations. The initiative enables quicker work permit processing, streamlines the hiring procedure, and lowers application fees.

What is the Global Talent Stream (GTS)?

The fast-track work visa scheme for Canada is called Global Talent Stream (GTS). This new government effort intends to draw in highly trained overseas workers by streamlining and expediting the process of getting a work visa under specific conditions.

Nearly 40,000 foreign employees entered Canada via the GTS in the first two years, according to data made public in June 2019. Additionally, the stream has been utilized by more than 1,100 Canadian firms to bring in exceptional people from abroad. Additionally, through the Global Talent Stream, about 5,000 posts in Canada were filled in 2021. (GTS).

The Canadian government knows how crucial immigration is to the nation's economy. Canada needs immigration to ensure it has enough people to fill its many available posts, given the greatest job vacancy rate in decades. Canada welcomes international employees in various ways, including the Global Talent Stream.

How Does the Global Talent Stream Work?

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is designed to assist Canadian employers with hiring highly-skilled foreign talent who will enable Canadians to compete internationally. The GTS divides its operations into two groups, A and B. The categories list the foreign workers that companies may hire and the anticipated pay. Employers could require a recommendation from a GTS-designated partner depending on their chosen category.

Category A: Designated Partner Referral

To apply to Category A of the Global Talent Stream, an employer must have been referred to the stream by one of the GTS’s designated partners and use the stream to hire unique and specialized talent. Check the list of Designated Partners for referral to Category A of the Global Talent Stream (as of December 2021).

Foreign employees must demonstrate advanced industry knowledge through a postgraduate degree in a specialized field or at least five years of experience in a specialized position to be considered a unique and specialized talent. They also need to be paid a minimum of CAD 80,000 annually (or higher if the annual prevailing salary for the occupation is above this level).

Category B: In-Demand Occupations

Category B is for employers looking to hire highly skilled foreign workers for occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List, which have been determined to be in demand and for which there is insufficient domestic labor supply. In addition, the position must pay a salary equal to or above the prevailing wage. To apply for Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must be seeking to hire highly-skilled foreign talent to fill positions in occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List for Category B of the Global Talent Stream (as of July 2019).

Additionally, an organization can start its Global Talent Stream application after confirmation that they qualify for one of the two streams. The application form can be submitted online, via mail, or by fax and is accessible on the GTS website. The application asks for information on the employer, the foreign employee, and the employment offer, as well as specifics on pay and perks.

How to Apply for the Global Talent Stream

Meanwhile, here are steps to follow as a foreign worker to apply for a Canadian work permit through the GTS program.

To begin with, it’s important to understand that you can’t directly apply to the GTS; only Canadian employers can. They apply to the GTS to become designated and to obtain labor market impact assessments so that they may hire eligible foreign workers.

1. The first step is to check if you qualify as a highly-skilled worker according to the criteria listed in Category A and Category B below.
2. Then, you must obtain a job offer from an employer in Canada who qualifies for the GTS under Category A or Category B.
3. You need to prepare a work permit application that includes your job offer letter and a copy of the LMIA given to you by your employer. You will also need a police clearance certificate and a medical exam.
4. When submitted, your work permit application will be processed in as little as ten business days, and soon you’ll be working in Canada! Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can also qualify for expedited visa processing when they apply for a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa.

How Long Will the Global Talent Stream Take?

The Canadian government notes that, in general, work permits are issued within two weeks, while others estimate they can take anywhere from six months to a year or more. Factors like your experience level and language abilities can also affect how long it takes. However, one of the main benefits of the Global Talent Stream is its expedited work permit processing time. Global Talent Stream candidates may have their permits processed in under two weeks.

How Much Does it Cost?

Depending on where you want to work, the initial application fee for a work permit through the Global Talent Stream ranges from CAD 155 to CAD 365 (non-refundable). The expenses that follow depend on your location. Foreign nationals from low-risk nations, for instance, are subject to a $300 processing fee. Both the number of applications that may be submitted annually and the length of time that they may remain in Canada are unrestricted. Once they reach their new province of residency, fees levied by the provinces and territories will be applicable.

Global Talent Stream work permit restrictions

Work permits for the Global Talent Stream are closed permits. This means that GTS applicants are only permitted to work at the companies listed on their work permits.

Can I get permanent residence through the Global Talent Stream?

The Global Talent Stream is not a permanent immigration program; rather, it is a temporary residency program for a Canadian work permit. However, working in Canada can greatly improve one's prospects of being accepted into a program for permanent residence.

Is the Global Talent Stream LMIA-exempt?

Although the LMIA process is much simplified, the GTS is not LMIA-exempt. Employers participating in the GTS are not required to show documentation of their efforts to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This exemption significantly lessens the effort required to file an LMIA application.

Final Thoughts

Don't give up if you're a foreign national and unable to locate a Canadian employer to sponsor your visa. The government recently launched its new Global Talent Stream (GTS), which offers highly skilled persons in several high-growth areas quick access to permanent residence. And you are welcome to bring your boyfriend or spouse along as well!