The Global Talent Stream allows certain skilled workers to obtain a work permit within two weeks of applying. It is one of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy pillars, which aims to help innovative companies grow by ensuring they can access the highly skilled talent they need quickly.

Among other initiatives, this new workstream establishes a two-week standard for processing work permit applications (and temporary resident visas, if applicable) for highly skilled talent. The Global Talent Stream is part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

There are two categories under the Global Talent Stream.

Category A

High-growth companies that can demonstrate a need to recruit unique, specialized talent from abroad fall under Category A. Employers in this category must be referred to the Global Talent Stream by a designated referral partner.

As of August 13, 2018, the list of designated referral partners for employers located outside Quebec includes the following organizations. This list may be updated periodically.

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• BC Tech Association
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
• City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Office
• Communitech Corporation
• Council of Canadian Innovators
• Economic Development Winnipeg
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
• Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
• Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour
• Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology
• Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education, and Training
• Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
• Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade – Ontario Investment Office
• Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.
• Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of the Economy
• Halifax Partnership
• ICT Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
• Invest Ottawa
• London Economic Development Corporation
• 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
• Privy Council Office, Special Projects Team
• Vancouver Economic Commission
• Venn Innovation
• Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation

Category B

Category B is for employers looking to hire certain highly skilled foreign workers for occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List, which have been determined to be in demand. There is insufficient domestic labor supply. This list may be updated periodically to respond to labor market needs.

Global Talent Occupations List for Category B

Employers in both categories are required to meet conditions relating to the payment of skilled workers. Foreign workers hired through the GTS must be paid at the prevailing wage or higher. The prevailing wage is defined as the highest figure of either:

• the median wage for the occupation on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank;
• the wage within the range an employer pays current employees in the same position at the same location, with the same skills and experience;
• the minimum wage floor as defined in the Global Talent occupations list (if applicable).

Wages for the Global Talent Stream

Employers must engage in paying the highest of either:

• An annual salary of at least $80,000, or a yearly salary equal to the general wage for that occupation, is higher than $80,000 for the first two unique and specialized positions requested under Category A. For two or more unique and technical jobs requested under Category A, an annual salary of at least $150,000, or an annual salary equivalent to the prevailing wage for that occupation if it is higher than $150,000;
• the applicable minimum wage for the occupation for a highly-skilled position requested under Category B as identified in the Global Talent Occupations List;
• the wage that is within the wage range that the employer is paying current employees hired for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience; or
• the median wage on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank. The median salary is listed in the middle column by job title or National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, community, or area in Canada’s job bank.

Labour Market Benefits Plan

Employers looking to hire skilled workers through the Global Talent Stream must work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan. This plan outlines the positive benefits of foreign talent to the Canadian labor market and the employer’s activities to encourage job creation, skills, and training investments.

Category, A employers must commit to creating jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This job creation may be direct or indirect.

Category B employers are required to commit to increasing investments in skills and training for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In addition to the above mandatory benefits, employers in both categories must commit to two further complimentary benefits, supported by defined activities. These benefits may include but are not limited to job creation, investment in skills and training, transferring knowledge to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, or improving company performance. Activities to support these benefits may include, but are not limited to, hiring more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, training current employees in new techniques, creating paid co-op or internship programs for local students, and increasing revenue and investments.

Employers may be monitored to ensure compliance with the Labour Market Business Plan and evaluate the GTS’s successes.

Work Permit Exemptions

Under the Global Talent Stream, two new categories of workers are now exempt from obtaining a work permit.

Highly-skilled workers in skill type 0 or skill level A occupations of the NOC may enter Canada to work for 15 days in six months, or for 30 days in 12 months, without obtaining a work permit.

Researchers working on research projects at a publicly-funded degree-granting institution or affiliated research institution may come to Canada for 120 days in 12 months without requiring a work permit. 

Wanted to Know more or for free Consultation
Call – +1 (604)-597-1119 E-mail us on – info@ideaimmigration.com