Work Permit in 4 Weeks: Global Talent Stream

Certain in-demand and specialized occupations are eligible for fast work permit processing in Canada. The Global Talent Stream is the name of the program that facilitates fast Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing both by Service Canada and by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For instance, LMIA applications filed under this particular stream are not subject to a minimum advertising duration which constitutes three months on a regular high wage or low wage LMIA and are processed within 13 business days, by Employment and Social Development Canada, a branch of Service Canada, of receiving a complete application. Furthermore, workers with approved LMIAs under the Global Talent Stream (GTS) are eligible for 10 day speed of service on a work permit application. In other words, the entire process can be completed in four weeks.

The first stage of this particular program is for the employer to apply for and receive an LMIA which is an authorization for the employer to hire a foreign worker instead of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a particular job. There are two categories under GTS which allow an employer to do so. They are as follows:

Category A

An innovative company located in Canada is referred by one of the Global Talent Stream's designated referral partners on the basis that the position being requested requires unique and specialized talent to help the firm scale-up and grow. The designated referral partners are most of the city and provincial governments, some Canadian non-profit organizations and business service providers all across the country. Contact us for a list of all organizations.

Category B

Employers looking to hire highly skilled foreign workers with education and/or experience in one of the occupations on the list of designated occupations for Category B are eligible to apply for this type of LMIA. A referral is not required to be eligible for Category B. The eligible occupations are:

- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

- Computer engineers (NOC 2147)

- Mathematicians and statisticians (NOC 2161**sub-set only)

- Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)