The Global Talent Stream allows highly skilled workers in certain occupations to receive a temporary work permit in two weeks or less. This new option was announced just a few weeks ago as a pillar of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, which aims to help innovative companies grow by ensuring they can quickly access the highly skilled talent they need.

This initiative is equally beneficial for Canadian businesses and foreign workers. With two-week-work permit processing, companies are able to fill open positions quickly by hiring foreign talent just as fast as they might hire local talent. The two-week processing also applies for an open work permit for a spouse and study permit for dependent children of the primary applicant. Thus, individuals and their families are able to fast track the application process and begin working much quicker than ever before.

The Global Talent Stream is just one of many options available for temporary foreign workers. Thus, it gives Canadian employers the opportunity to select which of the many work permit options works best for their company and its workforce.

There are two categories of the Global Talent Stream. Category A is available for booming businesses that have been referred by an Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Designated Partner. A list of partners was released on June 12, 2017 and can be found below. These businesses are required to commit to creating jobs for Canadians, either directly or indirectly. Employers who seek to hire foreign workers in one of the designated high-skill occupations fall under Category B. These businesses must commit to increasing investments in skills and training for Canadians. Working in collaboration; the government, labour market experts, and key stakeholders have come up with the following list of eligible occupations.

List of Partner Organizations for Category A

•    Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
•    BC Tech Association
•    Business Development Bank of Canada
•    Communitech Corporation
•    Council of Canadian Innovators
•    Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
•    Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
•    ICT Manitoba (ICTAM)
•    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
•    MaRS Discovery District
•    National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
•    Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
•    Ontario Ministry of Economic Growth and Development
•    VENN Innovation

Eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) Codes for Category B
(This list is subject to change based on labor market demands)

• 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
• 5241    Digital Media and Design

Requirements for Businesses and Workers Applying Under Global Talent Stream

Along with the above minimum requirements, businesses wishing to bring in foreign workers under either category of the Global Talent Stream must commit to two additional benefits including, but not limited to, the following: creating jobs, investment in skills and training, transfer of knowledge to Canadians, and improving company performance. Businesses may meet this requirement in any of the following ways: hiring more Canadians, training existing employees in new methods, forming paid internship programs for local students, and increasing revenue and investments. Employers are also required to pay their foreign workers the prevailing wage or higher.

Applicants who are interested in priority processing of their work permit applications must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the Global Talent Stream. Applications must be made online on or after July 12 and must come from outside Canada. Two-week processing does not apply to applications made from within Canada, although these applicants are able to maintain implied status if applying to do the same work under the same conditions as their initial work permit.

Our team of immigration consultants can help you determine your eligibility and prepare your work permit application. To find out if you qualify for expedited processing of your work permit application, contact us to discuss your options.

If you are employer looking to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages, click here to find out more.

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