Two Weeks application processing in most cases and enhanced customer service
The Government of Canada’s new Global Skills Strategy will give employers a faster and more predictable process for attracting top talent and new skills to Canada, creating economic growth and more jobs for Canadians.
Program facts
- Companies applying for workers through the Global Talent Stream now have access to a new streamlined process that provides eligible employers with:
- priority processing of applications and a client-focused service for the development of the Labor Market Benefits Plan, with a service standard of 10 business days; and
- Flexible recruitment requirements.
- Two-week work permit processing will be available to workers applying from overseas whose employers have been approved to hire a foreign worker through Global Talent Stream, as well as foreign nationals with jobs at skill type 0 (executive, managerial) or skill level A (professional) of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) applying through the International Mobility Program. The two-week service standard would also apply to immediate family members accompanying high-skilled workers to Canada.
How to benefit from the Global Skills Strategy
The Global Skills Strategy can help you get workers faster with:
- a two-week processing time for 80% of work permit applications
- work permit exemptions for highly-skilled workers on short-term work assignments and for researchers involved in a short-duration research project in Canada
- a dedicated service channel for companies looking to make large, job-creating investments in Canada
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 Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s designated referral partners and be seeking to hire unique and specialized talent. Unique and specialized talent is indicated 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 B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the following list:
0213 Computer and information systems managers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2283 Information systems testing technicians
Sub-set of 5241* Digital Media and Design
*position requires a minimum of five years of industry experience, and skills requirements including: 3D modeling, virtual and augmented reality; animation, level editing, editor and pipeline software and tools in applicable industry; other specialized knowledge of software framework in applicable industry (for example, Unreal 3.0); and/or, Experience in planning and managing a project.