Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel
Canada
Guidance for companies hiring temporary foreign workers
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 01, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 31, 2023
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Expert Advice
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
grant_single|grantors
- Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Government of Canada
- Immigration
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) is designed to help Canadian employers attract top international talent swiftly through prioritized processing, with key features including faster application processing times and work permit exemptions. While there isn't a monetary funding amount attached to this initiative, it provides significant value by reducing hiring timelines and associated costs through streamlined processes for eligible high-skilled workers, their families, and employers meeting specific criteria.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) enables employers to efficiently hire highly skilled workers by offering faster processing times and providing short-term work permit exemptions. These initiatives are essential to strengthening the Canadian workforce with international talent.
- Participation in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) to hire under TEER category 0 or 1.
- Hiring workers under TEER category 0 or 1 with LMIA-exempt status from outside Canada.
- Employers leveraging fast track processing with a positive LMIA through the Global Talent Stream.
- Hiring highly skilled workers for short-term projects under outlined exemptions.
- Engagement of researchers for short-term research activities at qualified Canadian institutions.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$30,000
Contract foreign healthcare professionals for specialized patient services
$17,000
Recruit international chefs for new gourmet restaurant opening
$18,000
Employ foreign IT specialists to upgrade cybersecurity systems
$17,000
Engage international marketing experts for global expansion strategy development
$15,000
Hiring 5 skilled masons from overseas for large-scale construction project
$25,000
Hire seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico for harvest season
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for faster processing under the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) is defined by specific criteria related to the company's involvement and the job positions they offer.
- The employer is participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
- The job position is classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- The employer meets the wage assessment for the job being offered.
- The employer has submitted an offer of employment using the Employer Portal.
- The employer has paid the employer compliance fee.
- If applicable, the employer must have a positive LMIA through the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant are:
- Employers who make a significant investment in Canada
- Universities that support publicly funded research chair holders coming to Canada
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
There are specific geographic areas mentioned for this grant.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria include:
- Employers who make a significant investment in Canada
- Universities that support publicly funded research chair holders coming to Canada
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Gather Required Documents
- Obtain necessary documents from the employer, including a job offer and, if applicable, a positive LMIA decision letter.
- Ensure all documents are complete and meet the eligibility and admissibility requirements.
- Step 2: Complete Online Application
- Create an account and log in to the work permit application portal.
- Select "Online" and choose the country or territory from which you are applying.
- Download and complete the application ensuring all sections are filled accurately.
- Step 3: Submit Supporting Documentation
- Include police certificates and certified translations of documents not in English or French, if required.
- Upload all required documents, including any country-specific visa office requirements.
- Step 4: Pay Processing Fees
- Submit payment for the processing fees as instructed on the application portal.
- Step 5: Submit Biometrics
- Complete and submit biometrics within 2 weeks of the application submission, if required.
- Step 6: Finalize and Submit Application
- Review the application to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the final application online.
- Step 7: Confirmation and Monitoring
- Receive confirmation of submission with an application number for your records.
- Monitor application status through the online portal.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional relevant details for the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) process:
- Ineligible applications due to incomplete documentation will result in longer processing times beyond the 2-week period.
- Including certified translations for non-English or French documents is mandatory for eligibility, regardless of local visa office language acceptances.
- Activation of the Dedicated Service Channel (DSC) requires employer referral by authorized referral partners; it offers guidance but not exemption from LMIA processes.
- The Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program facilitates faster processing within the GSS.
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Workforce with the Global Skills Strategy
The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) streamlines the process for Canadian employers to hire highly skilled foreign nationals, offering faster processing times, work permit exemptions, and improved customer service. This strategic initiative is designed to attract top global talent, ensuring that businesses can quickly adapt to changing market needs.
Understanding the Global Skills Strategy and Its Benefits for Employers
In today's competitive global market, having access to highly skilled workers is crucial for businesses aiming to innovate and grow. Recognizing this need, the Government of Canada launched the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) to expedite the process of hiring international talent for Canadian employers. GSS is particularly advantageous for employers involved in key projects such as the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) and those hiring workers under Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
One of the standout features of GSS is its promise of 2-week processing times for eligible workers' applications, significantly reducing the wait time generally associated with international hires. This rapid processing is available to both LMIA-exempt workers, who need to be applying from outside Canada, and those requiring an LMIA, provided all other requirements are met. It covers occupations in TEER categories 0 or 1, which typically involve higher-level skills and responsibilities, aligning with the goal of bringing in top global talent.
Employers participating in this scheme benefit from a more predictable hiring process, as they can plan their workforce needs with greater certainty regarding timelines. The strategy also includes provisions for the worker's family members, ensuring that spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children can join them in Canada efficiently through visitor visas, work permits, or study permits, also processed within the 2-week timeframe.
Additionally, highly skilled workers and researchers have options to enter Canada for short-term engagements without a work permit under specific criteria. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for industries that might need to swiftly bring in experts for short-term projects or collaborations.
The GSS also introduces a Dedicated Service Channel, providing employers making significant investments or participating in substantial research initiatives with a direct line to service managers who can guide and support through the immigration process. This ensures that organizations with strategic importance to the Canadian economy get tailored support for their unique circumstances.
However, to fully leverage the benefits of the GSS, it is crucial for employers and foreign workers to submit complete applications, adhere to local visa office requirements, and ensure all necessary documents, like police certificates and biometrics, are included timely. Missing or incorrect documentation can lead to processing delays, underlining the importance of meticulous preparation.
The Global Skills Strategy is not just a facilitation tool but a strategic move to integrate global competencies into Canada’s workforce. For businesses willing to participate, it offers a pathway to enhance their competitive edge by accessing a pool of international expertise, thus fostering innovation and growth within the Canadian economy.
