Last Updated on May 7, 2018

May 1, 2018 – When Canada’s Global Skills Strategy (GSS) was launched in June 2017, the two-week Canada visa processing under the associated Global Talent Stream rightly made the headlines. Businesses that previously had to wait six months for important skilled overseas workers, could suddenly get the paperwork processed within 10 working days.

When the GSS was launched, however, it also included access to short-duration Canada Work Permit exemptions for managers, professionals and researchers.

Both were moves by Canada’s federal government to help the business community get access to the talent they needed to help their operations grow. The Global Talent Stream in particular has proven immensely popular, at a time when Donald Trump is cracking down on immigration and foreign talent in the United States.

The work permit exemption is designed to allow short-term, high-value work that includes the transfer of skills and knowledge to Canadian workers.

Exemptions are granted for up to 15 or 30 calendar days once every six or 12 months. Researchers can be granted exemptions for up to 120 days for work at a public, degree-granting institution, or an affiliate of a public, degree-granting institution.

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Global Talent Stream

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The exemption is aimed at employers who need high-skilled workers to perform short-term work of crucial importance to their business. It is also aimed at universities and other research centres that may required specialist knowledge for a set period of time.

The exemption can be applied for at a Port of Entry, or an overseas visa office. When applying at a Port of Entry, the visa officer should write in the candidate’s passport the specific date they are required to leave Canada.

For 15-day exemptions, the waiting period to become eligible again is sis months from the day the exemption was granted. For 30-day exemptions, the waiting period is 12 months if another 30-days is being applied for, or six months if the second exemption period is 15 days.

Global Skills Strategy Work Permit Exemption: Requirements

Whether applying at a visa off or Port of Entry, a candidate must provide documents to show the short-term exemption applies. These documents should include:

• Formal job offer.
• Letter from employer describing duties, NOC code and period of employment.

Researchers also require the following documents:

• Letter from qualifying institution describing duties, research to be completed and NOC code.
• Proof of educational qualifications to establish academic excellence.
• Description of how candidate will add value to the research project.

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Key Elements of The Global Talent Stream

• Two-week standard for processing Canada work permit applications (and Canada visa applications when applicable) for highly skilled talent.
• Dedicated service for companies looking to make significant job-creating investments in Canada.
• Companies applying for workers through the Global Talent Stream will have access to the new streamlined application process that will provide:
  • Client-focused service to help guide eligible employers through the application process and the development of the Labour Market Benefits Plan, with a service standard of 10 business days.
  • Eligibility for workers to have their work permit applications processed in 10 business days.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.