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Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) - Canada
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Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC)

Guidance for companies hiring temporary foreign workers
Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigration
Government of Canada
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
  • Open Date : July 1, 2023
  • Closing date : March 31, 2024
Location
Canada

Overview

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.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Open Date : July 1, 2023
  • Closing date : March 31, 2024

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Educational services
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Newcomers to Canada

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Recruitment of highly skilled foreign workers for priority occupations.
  • Facilitation of international researcher placements at Canadian publicly funded institutions.
  • Support for employers making significant investments in Canada through dedicated advisory services.
  • Assistance to universities bringing research chair holders to Canada.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Employers making significant investments in Canada
  • Universities supporting publicly funded research chair holders

Eligible geographic areas

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

Additional information

  • The dedicated service channel (DSC) provides access to an account manager for guidance and support during the process.
  • Applicants and their accompanying family members must apply at the same time to be eligible for expedited processing.
  • Certified translations are required for documents not in English or French, even if local visa office requirements allow other languages.
  • After a short-term work exemption, specified waiting periods apply before the exemption can be used again (6 or 12 months depending on exemption length).

Documents and links

Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC)?

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.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was March 31, 2024.

Who is eligible for the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) program?

To be eligible for the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) program, you must: The company must be identified and referred by a designated referral partner. The company must be making a significant investment in Canada.

What expenses are eligible under Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC)?

Recruitment of highly skilled foreign workers for priority occupations. Facilitation of international researcher placements at Canadian publicly funded institutions. Support for employers making significant investments in Canada through dedicated advisory services. Assistance to universities bringing research chair holders to Canada.

Who can I contact for more information about the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC)?

You can contact Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Where is the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) available?

The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) program is available across Canada.

Is the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Global Skills Strategy (GSS) — Dedicated service channel (DSC) is a Expert Advice

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