Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Global Talent Stream
Canada
Skilled foreign workers to help innovative firms grow
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateFebruary 18, 2021
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
When qualified Canadians or permanent residents are not available, you can access a pool of unique and specialized foreign workers available for hire on a temporary basis, to help your firm scale up, or to fill an in-demand highly skilled position on the
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant targets employers across Canada; however, specific provincial requirements apply for certain regions. Companies must adhere to distinct registration procedures as dictated by provincial jurisdictions.
- Employers hiring in British Columbia
- Employers hiring in Manitoba
- Employers hiring in Saskatchewan
- Employers hiring in Nova Scotia
- Employers hiring in Quebec
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$25,000
Recruit a specialized chef to introduce exotic culinary techniques in our restaurant
$50,000
Hire a specialized AI scientist to develop and implement machine learning models
$60,000
Hire a cybersecurity specialist to bolster our online security measures against increasing cyber threats
$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
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: 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.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: 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.
- Step 4: 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.
- Step 5: 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).
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
Apply to this program
Access Global Talent through Canada's Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) streamlines the process for Canadian businesses to hire highly skilled temporary foreign workers. It offers a fast, reliable service to help companies fill specialized positions crucial for growth and global competitiveness.
Detailed Insights into the Global Talent Stream Framework
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is an integral part of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), established to facilitate the immigration process for high-demand talent. Designed primarily for innovative Canadian firms needing specialized overseas workers, GTS offers a swift and systematic application process. It operates under the jurisdiction of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and partners with designated referral entities to ensure that only qualifying employers access the program.
The strategic intent behind the GTS is to assist businesses in scaling rapidly to meet evolving market demands by tapping into a global talent pool. The program distinguishes itself by offering a ten-business-day service standard—applicable to 80% of cases—for processing Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications. Additionally, once a positive LMIA is secured, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expedites work permit processing for these highly skilled workers, also aiming to complete 80% of these applications within two weeks.
Central to the GTS are the two distinct streams: Category A targets firms referred by partners that can demonstrate a need for unique global talent to fuel innovation, while Category B is tailored to businesses filling high-demand roles from a predefined list of occupations. Regardless of the category, employers must commit to developing a tailored Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) that details commitments to enrich the Canadian labour market, such as job creation, skills enhancement, and investment in employee training.
To initiate the application process, employers need to verify the necessity for an LMIA and follow designated procedures, including the collection of critical documents like the most recent business license, tax materials, and referral forms, for Category A. Applications are submitted through the secure LMIA Online portal, which also integrates with the Job Bank for employers account, streamlining document submission and fee payments. Each LMIA application should be submitted no earlier than six months before the proposed job start date, with a provision to request up to a three-year work permit duration when justified by business needs.
Special provincial requirements further underscore the necessity for employers to align with local legislation, such as acquiring employer registration certificates in certain provinces before proceeding with the LMIA. For Quebec-bound foreign workers, additional coordination with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) is required.
Upon approval of an LMIA, employers are responsible for providing comprehensive documentation and contracts to their foreign hires to facilitate their work permit applications. Importantly, the service includes an annual evaluation of the LMBP commitments, distinct from routine compliance checks, ensuring that the long-term benefits to the Canadian labour milieu are realized.
The operational agility of the GTS, with its emphasis on streamlining processes and fostering innovation, embodies Canada's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the global market by attracting the world's top talent. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate labour market needs but also sets a foundation for enduring economic growth and innovation across Canadian industries.
