GLOBAL TALENT STREAM

General Eligibility Requirements

Employers interested in hiring a temporary foreign worker (TFW) under the Global Talent Stream must meet the following general eligibility criteria:

​

Business Legitimacy: All employers applying to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) must supply documents, including a Global Talent Stream application, to demonstrate the legitimacy of their business and job offer.

​

Recruitment and Advertisement: Although there's no minimum recruitment requirement for the Global Talent Stream, you are encouraged to recruit Canadians and permanent residents before offering a job to a TFW.

​

Wages: Wages offered to TFWs must be similar to those paid to Canadian and permanent resident employees hired for the same job and work location, with similar skills and years of experience.

​

Job Duties and Work Condition: TFWs hired through the TFWP must only perform duties corresponding to the occupation they were hired for.

​

Health Insurance

In applicable provinces/territories, you must obtain and pay for private health insurance that covers emergency medical care for any period during which the TFW isn’t covered by the provincial/territorial health insurance system.

​

Workplace Safety: You must ensure that TFWs are covered by the provincial or territorial workplace safety insurance provider, where required by law.

​

Employment Agreement: You must commit to providing a completed and signed employment agreement to each foreign worker on or before their first day of work.

​

Language of Work: English or French are the only languages that can be identified as a job requirement in an application and job advertisement. However, if another language is necessary for the job, justification must be provided on the application.

​

Unionized Positions: If hiring for positions covered under a collective agreement, you must advertise and offer the same wage rates as those established under the agreement, offer TFWs the same terms and conditions as Canadian and permanent resident workers, and submit a copy of the section of the collective bargaining agreement on the wage structure.

​

Employer Compliance: You must comply with all TFWP requirements for the position being requested.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Once the employers meet the general eligibility requirements. the Global Talent Stream outlines two additional distinct categories that they also need to meet:

​

Category A

​This category is specifically designed for those who have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by one of its designated partners.

​

Eligibility for this category hinges on the hiring of an individual who possesses unique and specialized talent. The talent must be rare in the individual's field and the individual must be recognized internationally for their expertise in this area.

​

Category B

​This category targets those seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations that are in high demand, as outlined in the Global Talent Occupations List.

Unlike Category A, a referral is not a requirement for eligibility in Category B. This provides a broader scope for employers aiming to fill roles that are crucial to their operations.

Labour Market Benefits Plan

When employing someone via the Global Talent Stream, it's necessary to create a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

A Labour Market Benefits Plan should clearly outline your company's dedication to initiatives that will have a sustainable and positive effect on Canada's workforce.

Your plan's progress will be evaluated yearly to determine how effectively you are fulfilling your obligations.

Global Talent Stream Application Process

Applying for the Global Talent Stream involves a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application. This application can be submitted up to six months before the anticipated job start date. There are two methods to apply:

Online through the LMIA Online Portal: The online portal is designed to be user-friendly and allows you to submit the necessary documentation with ease.

Emailing a PDF application form: If you prefer the traditional approach, you can fill out a PDF application form and submit it via email.

Global Talent Stream Processing Time

The Global Talent Stream offers faster processing times compared to other streams, which is one of its key advantages for employers and foreign workers.

Service Canada commits to processing 80% of Global Talent Stream applications within 10 business days, provided the application is complete and no additional review is needed.

Global Talent Stream Application Cost

The current processing fee is CAD $1,000 for each position requested under the Global Talent Stream.

This fee must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable, even in cases where the application is unsuccessful.

The fee is used to cover the cost of processing the application and is not considered a guarantee of approval. Employers should be aware of this upfront cost when planning their recruitment strategies. 

Can I Work With Different Employers While On A Global Talent Stream Work Permit?

The Global Talent Stream work permit is typically tied to the employer who applied for it.

This means that as a worker, you can only work for the employer who sponsored your permit and in the specified location.

If you wish to change employers, your new employer would generally need to apply for a new Global Talent Stream work permit.

Is The Global Talent Stream Work Permit LMIA-Exempt?

The Global Talent Stream is not LMIA-exempt due to the program's principle of protecting Canadian workers and the domestic job market. 

It ensures that employers have made a genuine effort to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before turning to foreign workers.

This process safeguards local employment opportunities and shields the Canadian job market from unnecessary external competition.

Can I Apply for Permanent Residency Through Global Talent Stream?

Global Talent Stream does not directly provide a pathway for permanent residency in Canada.

It is essentially a temporary work permit program.

However, it can indirectly assist individuals in gaining valuable work experience in Canada, which could potentially help fulfill the requirements of certain immigration programs.

First Time Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker?

If you are an employer hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) for the first time, you will be subject to a review if you haven't employed a TFW in the past six years prior to submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application.