Canada Global Talent Stream (GTS)

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a program initiated by the Canadian government in 2017 to help Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers quickly and efficiently. The GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and falls under the International Mobility Program (IMP) and aims to help innovative companies fill highly skilled positions when they are unable to find suitable Canadian candidates.

The GTS is designed to accelerate the work permit application process for highly skilled foreign workers in designated occupations. The GTS offers two categories of highly skilled foreign workers: Category A and Category B.

The GTS aims to provide faster processing times for work permit applications, with a target of two weeks or less. Additionally, GTS work permit applications are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement, which is a requirement for many other work permit applications. The GTS also allows highly skilled foreign workers to be eligible for two-year work permits and can facilitate the transition to permanent residency in Canada.

Overall, the GTS is a valuable program for Canadian employers seeking to attract highly skilled foreign workers and for foreign workers looking for opportunities to work in Canada.

What are the categories of Canada GTS program?

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) program has two categories for highly skilled foreign workers:

Category A: This category is for employers who have been referred to the GTS by one of the program’s designated partners, including the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Accelerated Growth Service. This category is designed to help Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers with unique and specialized skills not readily available in Canada. The criteria for Category A include:

  • The position must require an advanced degree in an area of specialization or equivalent experience.
  • The foreign worker must have at least five years of experience in the specialized field.
  • The employer must submit a detailed job offer letter outlining the job duties, qualifications, and salary.

Category B: This category is for Canadian employers who are seeking to fill highly skilled positions in occupations that are in high demand in Canada. The occupations eligible for Category B are identified on the Global Talent Occupations List, which is updated annually by the Canadian government. The criteria for Category B include:

  • The position must be listed on the Global Talent Occupations List.
  • The employer must submit a detailed job offer letter outlining the job duties, qualifications, and salary.
  • The employer must show that they have been unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position.

Both categories of the GTS provide expedited processing times for work permit applications, with a target of two weeks or less. Additionally, GTS work permit applications are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement, which is a requirement for many other work permit applications. The GTS also allows highly skilled foreign workers to be eligible for two-year work permits and can facilitate the transition to permanent residency in Canada.

What are the requirements for Canada GTS process?

To be eligible for the GTS, both the employer and the foreign worker must meet certain requirements. The key requirements are given below:

Employer Requirements:

  • Be a Canadian employer that is either:
    1. referred by a designated referral partner; or
    2. seeking to hire a highly skilled foreign worker for a position that is listed on the Global Talent Occupations List.
  • Have a proven track record of good workplace and labour practices.
  • Commit to creating jobs for Canadians and/or permanent residents.
  • Provide information about the job being offered, including the job description, the wage being offered, and the benefits being provided.

Foreign Worker Requirements:

  • Have a job offer from a Canadian employer that is either:
    1. referred by a designated referral partner; or
    2. seeking to hire a highly skilled foreign worker for a position that is listed on the Global Talent Occupations List.
  • Meet the minimum requirements for the job being offered, including education, work experience, and language proficiency.
  • Provide evidence of their qualifications, such as transcripts, diplomas, and certificates.
  • Obtain a work permit and any other required permits or visas.

How to apply for the Global Talent Stream?

To apply for the Global Talent Stream (GTS), the employer must first determine whether they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If the employer is eligible, they can follow these steps to apply for the GTS:

  • Identify the position to be filled: The employer must identify the position they wish to fill and ensure that it is listed on the Global Talent Occupations List. The list is updated regularly and includes occupations that are in high demand in Canada.
  • Get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): The employer must apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to show that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position. GTS-eligible employers are eligible for a two-week processing time for LMIA applications.
  • Submit the GTS application: Once the LMIA has been approved, the employer can apply for the GTS by submitting an online application through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. The application must include all required documentation, such as the job offer letter, LMIA confirmation, and the foreign worker’s information and qualifications.
  • Pay the processing fee: The employer must pay the GTS processing fee of CAD $1,000 for each position they are hiring for.
  • Receive a work permit: Once the GTS application is approved, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit. GTS-eligible foreign workers can receive their work permit within two weeks, which is significantly faster than the regular work permit processing time.

It is important to note that the GTS application process can be complex and may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer or consultant. Employers should ensure they have a good understanding of the program’s requirements before applying to avoid delays or refusals.

Processing Time

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is designed to offer a fast-track application process for employers and highly skilled foreign workers. The GTS processing time can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each application, but generally, the program aims to provide faster processing times than the regular work permit application process.

Employer-specific LMIA processing times for the GTS are guaranteed to be completed within 10 business days. Once the LMIA is approved, the employer can then apply for the GTS work permit, which can be processed within two weeks.

The GTS program also offers priority processing for certain occupations, such as those related to artificial intelligence, information technology, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Priority processing means that applications for these occupations are placed at the front of the queue and are processed faster than other GTS applications.

It’s important to note that processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications received and the complexity of the case. Employers and foreign workers should plan ahead and apply as early as possible to ensure the timely processing of their GTS application.

Canada GTS Visa Cost

The cost to come to Canada through the Global Talent Stream (GTS) can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of work permit being applied for, whether the foreign worker is applying from within or outside of Canada, and any additional costs for immigration consultants or lawyers.

Here are some of the key fees and costs associated with the GTS program:

  1. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) fee: The employer must pay a $1,000 fee for each LMIA application they submit.
  2. Work permit application fee: The fee for a work permit application is $155 CAD.
  3. Biometrics fee: All foreign workers are required to provide biometric information when applying for a work permit, which involves a fee of $85 CAD.
  4. Immigration consultant or lawyer fees: Employers and foreign workers may choose to hire an immigration consultant or lawyer to assist with the GTS application process. These fees can vary depending on the specific services required.

It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change. Employers and foreign workers should consult the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date information on GTS fees and costs.

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