Global Talent Stream (GTS) work permit in Canada

Dunja is a highly successful data analyst from Montenegro. She recently received a job offer from a large corporation in Toronto. They offered her a $135,000 annual salary plus benefits. Dunja intends to apply for a Global Talent Stream work permit and move to Canada. However, she is not sure whether she meets the conditions.

This article explains how the Global Talent Stream works, what “Category A” and “Category B” mean, and how processing under the Global Skills Strategy may affect timelines.

What Is the Global Talent Stream?

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is an expedited Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

In practical terms, GTS is an employer-driven process. The employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Service Canada for a positive LMIA. If approved, the foreign worker can then use that LMIA to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an employer-specific work permit.

GTS also requires a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP). The employer commits to activities that are intended to create lasting benefits for the Canadian labour market, such as job creation, training, and knowledge transfer.

Global Talent Stream Categories

There are two ways an employer can qualify for GTS.

Category A

Category A is for innovative companies that are referred to GTS by a designated referral partner. The position must be a “unique and specialized” role.

This Category generally involves:

• A referral form completed by a designated referral partner.
• A genuinely specialized role, supported by the job requirements and the worker’s background.
• A wage that meets the prevailing wage for the occupation and region, and also meets the Category A wage floor requirements.

Category B

Category B is for employers hiring in occupations that appear on ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List (NOC 2021).

This Category generally involves:

• Selecting the correct NOC 2021 code based on the duties of the role.
• Offering at least the prevailing wage.
• Meeting any specific wage floors that apply to certain occupations on the list.

Category B Occupations List

Below is the Global Talent Occupations List for Category B (NOC 2021). Eligibility always depends on the facts, including the job duties, the wage, and the employer’s overall application.

Occupations assessed at the prevailing wage

• 20012: Computer and information systems managers
• 21300: Civil engineers
• 21310: Electrical and electronics engineers
• 21330: Mining engineers
• 21390: Aerospace engineers
• 21311: Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
• Sub-set of 21210: Mathematicians and statisticians (actuaries and related occupations excluded)
• 21211: Data scientists
• 21220: Cybersecurity specialists
• 21221: Business system specialists
• 21222: Information systems specialists
• 21233: Web designers
• 21223: Database analysts and data administrators
• 21231: Software engineers and designers
• 21230: Computer systems developers and programmers
• 21232: Software developers and programmers
• 21234: Web developers and programmers

Occupations with wage floors

For the occupations below, the employer must offer at least the wage floor and the prevailing wage, whichever is higher.

• 22310: Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
• 22220: Computer network and web technicians
• 22222: Information systems testing technicians

Visual effects, video games, and digital media subsets

These subsets are eligible when the role and experience requirements described by ESDC are met.

• Sub-set of 51120: Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager (visual effects and video game)
• Sub-set of 52120: Digital media designers

Processing Times for Global Talent Stream LMIA and Work Permit

GTS is designed to be faster than many other LMIA streams, but it is not instant. Timing depends on the completeness of the employer’s LMIA package, how quickly questions are answered, and the worker’s work permit processing factors.

LMIA processing

ESDC has a service standard for GTS LMIA processing. In practice, incomplete applications, missing documentation, and delays in responding to questions can extend timelines.

Work permit processing and the Global Skills Strategy

Many GTS workers apply for their work permit under the Global Skills Strategy (GSS). If the worker is eligible and applies online from outside Canada with a complete application, IRCC may process the work permit faster.

However, IRCC notes that GSS applications will probably take more than 2 weeks at present.

Recruitment and Advertising Requirements

There is no minimum recruitment requirement for GTS. That said, employers should still expect to explain their recruitment efforts and demonstrate that hiring a temporary foreign worker makes sense in the circumstances.

Government Fees

Government fees can change. The items below are common fees in many GTS cases.

Employer fee

• LMIA processing fee: $1,000 per position

Worker and family fees

• Work permit: $155 per person
• Biometrics: $85 per person (if required)
• Open work permit for a spouse or common-law partner: typically includes the work permit fee plus the open work permit holder fee
• Study permit for a dependent child: $150 per child

Step-By-Step Overview

For employers

1. Confirm eligibility under Category A or Category B.
2. Draft the role correctly, including duties that match the right NOC 2021 code.
3. Set the wage properly to meet the prevailing wage and any applicable wage floors.
4. Prepare the LMIA package, including the Labour Market Benefits Plan.
5. Submit the GTS LMIA application to Service Canada and respond quickly to any questions.
6. After approval, provide the worker with the documents needed for the work permit application.

For workers

1. Confirm the LMIA details and the job offer terms, including the NOC code and wage.
2. Prepare the work permit package, including all required documents.
3. Apply online and include biometrics or medicals if required.
4. If family members are accompanying, consider applying together so timelines align.

Common Pitfalls

• Choosing a NOC code that does not match the actual job duties.
• Offering a wage that is below the prevailing wage or below a required wage floor.
• Submitting an incomplete LMIA package or a weak Labour Market Benefits Plan commitment.
• Assuming “two-week processing” is guaranteed.
• Delays in providing requested biometrics, medical examinations, or additional documents.

Let Us Help

Whether you are an employer or a worker, we can help you assess eligibility, prepare the GTS LMIA package, and file a complete work permit application. If you would like formal advice, book a consultation or contact our team using the form below.