The GTS is a Global Skills Strategy introduced in 2017. The stream allows Canadian employers to expedite the hiring of foreign workers to fill specialized occupations when Canadians or permanent residents aren’t available for specific roles. According to data released in June 2019, within the first two years, nearly 40,000 foreign workers came to Canada through the GTS. And more than 1,100 Canadian employers have used the stream to recruit talented workers from abroad. 

Global Skills Strategy

Program Requirements

Two categories of foreign workers are managed through the Global Talent Stream program.

Requirements differ based on the position that a foreign worker will fill.

  •       If an individual has unique and specialized skills to help an innovative Canadian company grow and scale-up, Global Talent Stream Requirements for Category A will apply.
  •       If a foreign national will fill the information technology sector’s position on ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List, Global Talent Stream Requirements for Category B will apply. 

Category A Eligibility

There are three requirements to hire a foreign worker under Category A of the Global Talent Stream:

1) A foreign worker must possess unique and specialized skills to fill the position that will help an innovative firm in Canada to grow. A unique and specialized position is considered one for which a foreign worker will be paid at least C$38.46 per hour or equivalent to the prevailing wage for the occupation if it is higher; have advanced knowledge of the industry; have an advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer, or a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of specialized experience.

2) An innovative company willing to hire under Category A must be an operating Canadian-based firm focusing on innovation and having the willingness and proved capability to grow/scale-up.

3) Canadian Designated Partner for a referral to Category A of the Global Talent Stream should validate an innovative Canadian company willing to hire under Category A. One of the Designated Partners must complete and submit a referral form to ESDC. After that step, a Canadian company can apply for the Global Talent Stream LMIA. Up to two referrals per year is common practice under Category A. For any additional unique and specialized positions requested by the employer (in other words, more than 2 per calendar year) and approved by the TFW Program per calendar under Category A, an employer should offer at least $72.11 per hour.

Category B Eligibility

There are two requirements to hire a foreign worker under Category B of the Global Talent Stream:

1) An occupation/position must be listed on the Global Talent Occupations List under Category B. No referral is required for Category B.

2) Canadian employers must offer the hourly prevailing wage rate at a minimum. The prevailing wage is defined as the highest of either: the regional median hourly wage posted on Job Bank, the wage that is within the wage range that company is paying current employees hired for the same job and work location and with the same skills and years of experience.

Occupations List under Category B

NOC 0213 – Computer and information systems managers (prevailing wage)

NOC 2147 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (prevailing wage)

NOC 2161 – Mathematicians and statisticians (except actuaries or related occupations) (prevailing wage)

NOC 2171 – Information systems analysts and consultants (prevailing wage)

NOC 2172 – Database analysts and data administrators (prevailing wage)

NOC 2173 – Software engineers and designers (prevailing wage)

NOC 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers (prevailing wage)

NOC 2175 – Web designers and developers (prevailing wage)

NOC 2281 – Computer network technicians (C$39.42 or higher prevailing wage)

NOC 2283 – Information systems testing technicians (C$38.46 or higher prevailing wage)

NOC 5131 – Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game (C$37.50 or higher prevailing wage, 3 years of experience)

NOC 5241 – Digital media designers (C$38.46 or higher prevailing wage, 3 years of experience)

Program Benefits

  • One year of work experience in Canada on a Global Talent Stream Work Permit makes a temporary foreign worker eligible for immigration under the Canadian Experience Class program through Express Entry.
  •  In some cases, a temporary foreign worker may gain an additional 50 or 200 CRS points for a valid job offer obtained through the Global Talent Stream program.

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