Canada's Global Talent Stream (GTS)

The Canada Global Talent Stream (GTS) is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in Canada. This program aims to simplify the process of obtaining work permits for certain Canadian employers, allowing them to remain competitive on the international stage.

Approved employers under this program can expedite the recruitment of foreign workers through the Global Skills Strategy.

The Canada Global Talent Stream was launched in June 2017 as a result of a partnership between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The program accepts applications in two categories. While some eligibility requirements are common, each category has specific requirements, as detailed below.

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is designed to help Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign talent, enabling Canadians to remain competitive on an international scale. The GTS includes two categories: Category A and Category B. These two categories share some common eligibility criteria, although they remain distinct within the GTS:

Processing Fees: Employers registering for the GTS must pay a processing fee of CAD 1,000.

Business Legitimacy: Employers applying to the GTS, like all applicants under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), must submit documents proving the legitimacy of their business.

Labour Market Benefits Plan: Since the GTS is designed to help Canadian businesses remain competitive internationally, all employers submitting an application under the GTS must work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan that demonstrates their business activities will have a lasting impact on the Canadian labour market.

As the GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, all employers applying under this program must obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before the official hiring of a foreign national. If an employer meets the general requirements of the GTS, they must ensure they satisfy the additional requirements of the category for which they wish to apply.

Category A

To apply for Category A of the Global Talent Stream, an employer must have been referred to the stream by one of the designated GTS partners and use the stream to hire unique and specialized talent. The following are designated GTS partners authorized to refer employers to Category A:

Global Talent Stream: Unique and Specialized Talent in Category A

To be considered a unique and specialized talent in Category A of Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS), an individual must have in-depth expertise in their field, an advanced academic background, and at least five years of specialized experience. Additionally, these unique and specialized talents are generally expected to earn a minimum annual salary of at least CAD 80,000.

Category B

To apply under Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must seek highly qualified foreign talents for positions listed on the Global Talent Stream’s eligible occupations list.

One of the main advantages of the Global Talent Stream is the fast processing time for work permit applications. Candidates can obtain their permits in less than two weeks.

Before applying for a work permit, employers must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This process is also expedited, with an average processing time of only 8 days.

If the candidate wishes to work in Quebec, they will also need to obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The CAQ application is also processed quickly for candidates under the Global Talent Stream.

All applicants under the Global Talent Stream must collaborate with ESDC to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan, demonstrating their commitment to conducting activities that positively impact the Canadian labour market.

• Category A: Applicants must commit to creating jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, either directly or indirectly.
• Category B: Applicants must commit to increasing investments in the skills and training of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The total cost to come to Canada through the Global Talent Stream varies depending on the intended workplace, ranging from CAD 155 to CAD 365.

The processing fee for a work permit under the Global Talent Stream is CAD 155.
If you plan to work in Quebec, you will also need to pay the processing fee for the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which is CAD 210.
The application fee for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is CAD 1,000 and is the responsibility of the employers in the Global Talent Stream.

Work permits under the Global Talent Stream are closed permits. This means that candidates in the GTS program can only work for the employer specified on their permit.

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is not exempt from the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). However, the process for obtaining the LMIA is significantly streamlined for GTS employers. They are not required to provide evidence of their efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, which greatly reduces the workload associated with the LMIA application.

The Global Talent Stream is a temporary residency program linked to a work permit in Canada, not a permanent immigration program.

However, working in Canada can significantly enhance your chances of becoming eligible for a permanent residency program. To explore your options for permanent residency in Canada, fill out our free online assessment form today.