x
Contact us

Contact Information

1 (403) 452-9515

1 (800) 932-1190

Learn how we can help you

More Options...

How Global Skills Stream Works?

The Global Skills Stream, also known as the Global Talent Visa, is a new work stream established by IRCC which allows certain highly-skilled foreign nationals to obtain priority processing with a target of two-weeks to obtain their Work Permits. This is a new strategy aimed at helping employers get the high-skilled workers they require. The stream delivers three benefits:

  • 80% of Work Permit applications will be processed within two weeks of submission
  • Work Permit exemptions will be granted to highly-skilled workers on short-term work assignments - these exemptions will also cover researchers involved in short-term research projects in Canada
  • Provision of a dedicated service channel for companies intent on large job-creating investments in Canada

Eligibility

To be eligible for the two-week processing arrangement, workers must come through one of two ways:

A. They must be exempted from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) by way of the following:

  • workers must apply for the position from outside Canada
  • the position must be employer-specific and must fit one of two skill types, either skill type 0 (managerial) or skill level A (professional) of the National Occupation Classification (NOC); and
  • Also, an offer of employment must be submitted using the Employer Portal and the employer compliance fee must be paid.

B. The second route is for the employee to have a positive LMIA for an employer-specific job which previously indicated eligibility through the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Spouses and dependents of the worker are also covered as they can apply for the two-weeks processing at the same time the worker is applying.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE CHECKLIST: THE GLOBAL TALENT STREAM

How Global Skills Stream Works

To benefit from the processing arrangement:

  • The employer must submit a letter of offer of employment for the worker through the Employer Portal
  • The worker must apply online from outside of Canada
  • The worker must submit a complete application
  • The worker must identify himself/herself as part of the Global Talent Stream through the Come To Canada tool, if applicable. The information is part of the LMIA
  • The worker must submit at the time of application if required, medical exam and biometric fee
  • The result of the biometrics must be submitted within 14 calendar days from the date of application.

The Global Talent Stream also allows Work Permit exemptions for certain categories of workers that meet the specified requirements. This include:

  • workers with occupational skill type 0 (executive, managerial) or skill level A (professional) in the NOC
  • workers coming to Canada for a short-term work assignment of 15 days (once every six months) or 30 days (once every twelve months); and
  • researchers coming to perform research at the invitation of a publicly-funded degree-granting Canadian post-secondary institution or affiliated research institution can come to Canada for one 120-period, once a year.

A foreign national subject to this exemption is required to obtain a Work Permit for work or research of a longer duration.

The Dedicated Service Channel (DSC) is another way to benefit from the foreign skill strategy and applies to:

  • employers who are making a significant investment in Canada
  • universities that support publicly-funded research chair holders coming to Canada

To be eligible to access the DSC, a company must be identified and referred by one of the recognized referral partners. For more information: the Global Skills Strategy.

Contact us today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly.

Immigration Planning for Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions

Immigration Planning for Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions in CanadaImmigration planning for corporate mergers and acquisitions keeps executives, specialists and their ...

Read More

How to Move From the U.S. to Canada for Business

How to Move From the U.S. to Canada for Business or Corporate ExpansionWork permits and intercompany transfers are among the fastest ways to move from the U.S. to Canada for business.Express ...

Read More

New Wage Rules for Hiring Foreign Workers

On June 27, 2025, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) implemented new median wage requirements for employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). ...

Read More

Top 5 Reasons Your Canada Work Permit May Be Denied

A Canada work permit refusal can feel like the end of the road, especially if you thought you did everything right. Unfortunately, even strong applicants are denied for reasons ...

Read More

Navigating Recent Changes to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in Canada

Canada has recently introduced significant changes to its immigration policies, impacting the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. These updates make it substantially ...

Read More

Global Talent Stream: Fast-Tracking Tech Workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS), a crucial component of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), is a good option to address the urgent need for high-skilled tech workers ...

Read More

Featured Resource

Canada & U.S. Immigration Podcast

Each month I discuss an important topic in immigration and answer your questions. I will also invite immigration and cross-border business guest experts on the podcast. I answer ...

View Resource

I have had the pleasure of working with Evelyn Ackah on various immigration, LMIA, permanent residency and border issues for the past seven years. Evelyn and her team are the ultimate resources for any employer seeking to navigate the ever changing legal climate in a timely and professional manner. Evelyn’s wealth of knowledge, experience and industry connections coupled with her ability to simplify complex legal processes have made her my ‘go-to’ resource for all issues pertaining to business immigration.

– Eileen Marley, Human Resources Business Partner - Corporate and Concord

View All Testimonials

Love is a word I dare not diminish. Built with intention, care and respect by Bryce Kirk