Global Talent Stream Program

This project allows high-growth companies to bring in foreign talents more easily. It launched the global skills visa program to mitigate Canada’s shortage of tech workers.

Benefits of the Global Skills Strategy:

• 10 days of LMIA processing;
• a two-week processing time for a Work Permit;
• a dedicated service channel for companies looking to make large, job-creating investments in Canada.

Who is eligible for two-week processing?

Employers may be eligible for Category A of the Global Talent Stream if they have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by one of the Stream's designated partners and they are hiring unique and specialized talent.

OR

They may be eligible for Category B of the Global Talent Stream if they are seeking to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List. A referral is not required to be eligible for Category B.

An employer applying through the Global Talent Stream must comply with the Program requirements for the Global Talent Stream. They must also uphold the conditions and rules set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding hiring a temporary foreign worker.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has measures in place to verify and ensure employers' compliance with these requirements, and employers who fail to do so will be subject to consequences for non-compliance.

To benefit from faster processing times, after the employer has submitted a letter of offer, the worker must:

• apply online from outside of Canada
• submit a complete application
• identify themselves as part of the Global Talent Stream through the Come To Canada tool, if applicable. This information will be in the LMIA
• submit at the time of application (where required)
• pass a medical exam
• pay the biometric fee

Workers must also submit the results of their biometrics within 14 calendar days from the date of application.

Spouses and dependents

The spouse/common-law partner and dependents of the worker are also eligible for two-week processing. They must apply at the same time as the worker.

Definition of Unique and Specialized Talent for Category A of the Global Talent Stream

For Category A of the Global Talent Stream, innovative firms must be referred by one of the Stream’s designated referral partners and be seeking to hire a unique and specialized talent.

A unique and specialized talent is determined by:

• Advanced knowledge of the industry;
• Advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer; AND/OR
• Minimum of five years of experience in the field of specialized experience; AND
• A highly paid position with a salary of usually $80,000 or more.
• Global Talent Occupations List for Category B of the Global Talent Stream
• For Category A of the Global Talent Stream, innovative firms must be referred by one of the Stream’s designated referral partners and be seeking to hire a unique and specialized talent.

Global Talent Occupations List:

• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
• Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147)
• Mathematicians and statisticians (NOC 2161)
• Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
• Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
• Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
• Computer Network technicians (NOC 2281)
• Information systems testing technicians (NOC 2283)
• Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager (NOC 5131)
• Visual effects and video game (NOC 0512/5226)
• Digital Media and Design (NOC 5223/5241/2173/2175/2174)