The Global Talent Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program provides Canadian employers with access to highly skilled international workers to enhance competitiveness and growth, with employment durations typically up to 3 years, extendable in exceptional cases. This initiative supports innovative firms and those needing specialized expertise to fill in-demand positions.

Activities funded

Hiring unique and specialized temporary foreign workers who are essential for scaling up and growth.
Filling highly skilled positions in demand according to the Global Talent Occupations List.
Developing a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) to demonstrate a commitment to beneficial activities for the Canadian labour market.
Regular progress reviews to ensure compliance and effectiveness of the LMBP commitments.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 25,000

Recruit a specialized chef to introduce exotic culinary techniques in our restaurant

$ 60,000

Hire a cybersecurity specialist to bolster our online security measures against increasing cyber threats

$ 50,000

Hire a specialized AI scientist to develop and implement machine learning models

$ 40,000

Hire an international architectural consultant for a new sustainable building project

$ 30,000

Engage a foreign logistics expert to optimize our supply chain management process

$ 20,000

Invite a foreign agronomist to modernize local farming techniques and increase crop yield

Eligibility

Eligibility for hiring through the Global Talent Stream (GTS) requires companies to meet specific criteria related to their operations and the positions they intend to fill.

The company must be an innovative firm in Canada referred to Service Canada by a designated referral partner, requiring unique and specialized temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to scale-up and grow (Category A).
The company must need to fill in-demand, highly skilled positions from the Global Talent Occupations List (Category B).
The company must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) that outlines employer-specific commitments to activities positively impacting the Canadian labour market.
Employers in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Nova Scotia must apply for an employer registration certificate with the province and include it with the LMIA application.
For positions in Quebec, LMIA applications must be submitted simultaneously to Service Canada and Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
The company must gather and submit supporting documents for business legitimacy assessment and LMIA application, including business licenses, CRA tax documents, and recruitment and advertisement documents.

Who is eligible?

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is intended for innovative firms in Canada needing unique and specialized temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to scale up and grow. It also applies to firms requiring highly skilled workers for positions on the Global Talent Occupations List. Firms must be referred by a designated referral partner or need to fill an in-demand, highly skilled position to qualify.

Eligible expenses

The Global Talent Stream grant assists Canadian firms in expanding their workforce by hiring highly skilled foreign talent. It supports innovative businesses ensuring long-term benefits to the local labor market and filling in-demand positions.

Hiring highly skilled temporary foreign workers to support business growth and competitiveness.
Developing a Labour Market Benefits Plan to demonstrate positive impacts on the Canadian labor market.
Filling highly skilled positions as listed in the Global Talent Occupations List.
Applying for extended employment duration for high-wage positions when justified.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for innovative firms in Canada, specifically those based in designated provinces for certain components. It aligns with regional workforce needs and requires specific registrations based on the province.

British Columbia
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Nova Scotia
Quebec

How to apply

Review Application Checklist

Determine if you need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Check if there are any conditions or circumstances that prevent processing your application.
Familiarize yourself with Global Talent Stream (GTS) position requirements.
Choose whether to use a third-party representative.
Check if your LMIA application requires processing fees.
Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements of Categories A and B.
Complete your Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP).
Gather necessary documentation for business legitimacy assessment and LMIA application.
Compile provincial requirement documents if hiring in specific provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, or Quebec.

Set Up LMIA Online

Create a Job Bank for Employers account to access LMIA Online.
Visit the LMIA Online Portal resources page for setting up your account and submitting applications.

Submit LMIA Application

Sign into LMIA Online with your Job Bank credentials.
Create, fill out, and submit your LMIA application from the Employer Dashboard.
Upload all required documents.
If applying for GTS Category A, upload the referral form completed by your designated referral partner.
Pay the applicable processing fee.

Make Changes to Pending Application

If modifications are needed, contact the Service Canada processing centre or Employer Contact Centre before the LMIA decision is made.
To switch the stream, withdraw the current application and reapply under the new stream; note that fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Receive Application Decision

Expect to receive a decision on your GTS application within 10 business days, provided the application is complete.
If positive, use the LMIA confirmation letter to assist the TFW with their work permit application.
For Quebec, follow the additional procedures involving the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Global Talent Stream aims to provide a client-focused service to help access highly skilled global talent quickly.
Employers must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan to demonstrate positive impacts on the Canadian labour market.
LMBP progress reviews are conducted annually, separate from other compliance-related activities under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The employment duration approved through a Labour Market Impact Assessment for high-wage positions may last up to 3 years and longer in exceptional circumstances.
Applications can be submitted up to 6 months before the expected job start date.
There is a service standard for LMIA processing of 10 business days for 80% of applications.
Faster work permit processing, within 2 weeks, is available for highly skilled global talent workers whose applications are approved.
If hiring in certain provinces such as Quebec, specific procedural requirements must be jointly met with provincial offices alongside federal requirements.
An additional certificate of registration is necessary for hiring in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Nova Scotia.
Employers can make name changes on a positive LMIA, but must follow detailed procedures and timelines, especially in Category A applications which need a new referral form.
It's important to retain all documents used to support the LMIA application for at least 6 years.

Documents and links

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream. 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 Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream?

This program provides streamlined processes to support businesses in accessing the specific global talent they need to innovate and grow. It requires employers to have plans that will positively impact the Canadian labor market. Hiring unique and specialized temporary foreign workers who are essential for scaling up and growth. Filling highly skilled positions in demand according to the Global Talent Occupations List. Developing a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) to demonstrate a commitment to beneficial activities for the Canadian labour market. Regular progress reviews to ensure compliance and effectiveness of the LMBP commitments.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream?

Who is eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream program?

To be eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Global Talent Stream program, you must: The company must be referred to Service Canada by a designated referral partner for Category A. The firm must require unique and specialized temporary foreign workers or need to fill an in-demand, highly skilled position on the Global Talent Occupations List. The company must complete a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) to demonstrate employer-specific commitments to benefit the Canadian labour market.