Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel
Last Update: June 5, 2025
Canada
Guidance for companies hiring temporary foreign workers
Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : July 1, 2023
- Closing date : March 31, 2024
Financing Type
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Grant Providers
- Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Government of Canada
- Immigration
Status
Closed
Overview of the Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel program
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.
Eligible projects & activities
- 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.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 18,000
Employ foreign IT specialists to upgrade cybersecurity systems
$ 17,000
Engage international marketing experts for global expansion strategy development
$ 17,000
Recruit international chefs for new gourmet restaurant opening
$ 30,000
Contract foreign healthcare professionals for specialized patient services
$ 15,000
Hiring 5 skilled masons from overseas for large-scale construction project
$ 25,000
Hire seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico for harvest season
Eligibility criteria of the Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel program
- The company must be identified and referred by an official referral partner.
- The company must be making a significant investment in Canada.
- Universities are eligible if they support publicly funded research chair holders coming to Canada.
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
Eligibility criteria of the Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel program
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
How to apply to the Global Skills Strategy — Dedicated service channel program
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.
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.
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.
4
Pay Processing Fees
Submit payment for the processing fees as instructed on the application portal.
5
Submit Biometrics
Complete and submit biometrics within 2 weeks of the application submission, if required.
6
Finalize and Submit Application
- Review the application to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the final application online.
7
Confirmation and Monitoring
- Receive confirmation of submission with an application number for your records.
- Monitor application status through the online portal.
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).
Apply to this program
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