Canada Work Permit: Global Talent Stream

Under the Global Talent Stream, skilled workers can expect their Canada work permits and Canada visa applications processed within two weeks. The program was launched on June 12, 2017, with Quebec unveiling its version of the program on September 11, 2017. GTS forms part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The federal government wants to help high-growth companies bring in the talent they need quickly by cutting processing times for a Canada visa application from six months to just 10 business days.

A key element of the Global Talent Stream is that registered employers will need to commit to creating jobs for Canadians and transferring knowledge to Canadian workers, under a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

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    Canada Work Permit: Global Talent StreamThe Global Talent Stream is part of a broader Global Skills Strategy to directly help Canadian businesses including start-ups, thrive.

    What Are The 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.
    • Dropping of the work permit requirement for short-term highly skilled work (30 days or less in a 12-month period), and brief academic stays.
    • 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.

    What Are The Global Talent Stream Requirements?

    Category A: List of ESDC Designated Partners as of March 21, 2018

    Under Global Talent Category A, employers must be referred by one of the following (subject to change)

    • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
    • BC Tech Association
    • Business Development Bank of Canada
    • Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
    • City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Office
    • Communitech Corporation
    • Council of Canadian Innovators
    • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
    • Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
    • Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour
    • Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology
    • Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training
    • Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.
    • Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of the Economy
    • Halifax Regional Business and Community Economic Development Association
    • ICT Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
    • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
    • Invest Ottawa
    • London Economic Development Corporation
    • MaRS Discovery District
    • National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
    • Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
    • Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
    • Privy Council Office, Special Projects Team
    • Vancouver Economic Commission
    • Venn Innovation

    Quebec Designated Partners

    • Investissement Quebec
    • Montréal International
    • Quebec International

    Under Category A, foreign workers must possess a unique and specialized talent to qualify for a Canada work permit, defined as:

    • Advanced knowledge of the industry.
    • Highly paid position with a salary of usually $80,000 or more.

    EITHER

    • Advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer

    OR

    • Minimum of five years of experience in the field of specialized experience.

    Category B
    What Jobs Are Covered By The Global Talent Stream?

    For Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the following list:

    National Occupations Classification (NOC) codeOccupationMinimum wage requirement (annual salary)Minimum wage requirement (hourly rate)
    0211Engineering managersPrevailing wagePrevailing wage
    0212Architecture and science managersPrevailing wagePrevailing wage
    0213Computer and information systems managersprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2147Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)prevailing wageprevailing wage
    Sub-set of 2161*Mathematicians and statisticians

    * Positions for actuaries or related occupations are excluded from this subset.

    		prevailing wageprevailing wage
    2171Information systems analysts and consultantsprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2172Database analysts and data administratorsprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2173Software engineers and designersprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2174Computer programmers and interactive media developersprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2175Web designers and developersprevailing wageprevailing wage
    2283*Information systems testing technicians$78,000 or higher prevailing wage$37.50 or higher prevailing wage
    Sub-set of 5131*Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game

    Position requires a minimum of five years of experience in the visual effects, video game or animation industries in one or a combination of the following roles: producer, technical director, creative director, artistic director or project manager, with experience in at least one or more of the following skills relevant to the visual effects, video game or animation industries: surfacing and look development; character or simulation rigging; matte painting; or technical pipeline development and application for visual effects, video games, or animation production.

    		$75,000 or higher prevailing wage$36.06 or higher prevailing wage
    Sub-set of 5241*Digital Media and Design

    Position requires a minimum of five years of experience in at least one of the following digital media design skills: 3D modeling, virtual reality, augmented reality, digital media animation, levels editing for digital media design, software editing for digital media design, pipeline software development or applications relevant for digital media design.

    		$80,000 or higher prevailing wage$38.46 or higher prevailing wage

    * Quebec sets its own minimum wage floors for applications from within Quebec. Consult the Quebec immigration website for more information

    Processing Fee

    Non-refundable $1,000 to be paid by the employer.

    What is the Labour Market Benefits Plan?

    A key requirement for GTS is the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP).

    Developed with ESDC, it must show how hiring a foreign worker will help a company either create jobs for or transfer skills to Canadians. It also allows the ESDC to track a company’s progress.

    The LMBP features mandatory and complementary benefits.

    Under Category A, the mandatory benefit is creating jobs, whether directly or indirectly, for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

    Under Category B, the mandatory benefit is to increasing skills and training investments for Canadians and permanent residents.

    The LMBP must also provide two complementary benefits, which cannot be the same as the mandatory benefit. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Job creation,
    • Investment in skills and training,
    • Transferring knowledge,
    • Enhanced company performance and
    • Implementing best practices or policies as an employer for your workforce.

    Global Talent Stream: General Requirements

    Business Legitimacy

    Employers must provide evidence they are actively engaged in the business needing the temporary worker. The business must provide a good or service related to the job offer.

    Employers new to TFWP must submit one document as proof. Returning employers are not required to re-submit documents, but may be asked for additional proof.

    Allowable documents include a Canadian business licence, legal incorporation forms, tax documents and attested documents. For a full list, click here.

    Recruitment

    Employers are encouraged to actively seek to hire Canadians and permanent residents before looking abroad for workers. A description of how this has been done will be requested.

    Wages

    Wages must match the prevailing amount paid to Canadians and permanent residents for the same position.

    Job Duties and Working Conditions

    Workers hired under TFWP must only do the job they were hired for. Foreign workers are covered by the same laws that protect Canadians and permanent residents. Exploitation of a foreign worker violates Canadian law.

    Provincial and territorial laws cover standards such as:

    • Hours of work (including overtime)
    • Compensation
    • Working conditions
    • Termination of employment

    Workplace Safety

    Foreign workers must be covered by provincial or territorial workplace safety insurance where required by law. Any private plan must match or better the terms of the provincial or territorial plan.

    Language Restriction

    A job can only require English or French when advertised. If other languages are essential, justification is required at the application stage.

    Unionized Positions

    For positions covered by a union, the foreign worker must be treated the same as Canadians and permanent residents also covered by that union, in terms of wages and terms and conditions.

    Employer Compliance

    Employers must comply with all general requirements of the TFWP.

    Employers in Quebec

    As of September 11, 2017, Quebec employers are able to take full advantage of the Global Talent Stream. The key difference is that Quebec employers must submit their application simultaneously to ESDC and the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion.

    Watch the full livestream video here:

    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.

     

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    What is an Electronic Travel Authorization? (Audio)

    An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

    An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

    Do I need an Electronic Travel Authorization?

    You need an eTA if you are travelling to Canada by air from a visa-exempt country. A full list of visa-exempt countries is available here.

    The following are exempt from requiring an eTA:

    • Those who have already obtained a valid visa to enter Canada.
    • Anyone entering by land or sea.
    • Armed Forces visiting Canada on official duty.
    • Students who have a valid Canadian study permit dated on or after August 1, 2015.
    • Flight crew, civil aviation inspectors, accident investigators.
    • Temporary Foreign Workers who have a valid Canadian work permit date on or after August 1, 2015.
    • French citizens who live in and are travelling from St. Pierre and Miquelon.
    • Persons entering from the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, while holding valid status in Canada.
    • Accredited diplomats.
    • Canadian citizens and dual citizens (provided you are travelling on a Canadian passport)
    • Canadian permanent residents (you need your PR card or point of entry documentation)
    • US citizens (US permanent residents, or green card holders, DO require an eTA when travelling by air)

    Latest Canada eTA News

    How do I get an Electronic Travel Authorization?

    You can apply for an eTA through the Canadian federal government website.

    Before you apply, you will need:

    • Valid passport
    • As a US permanent resident, you can apply with:
      • Valid US refugee travel document (I-571)
      • Valid permit to re-enter the US (I-327)
    • Credit card to pay the $7 fee
    • Valid email address

    To apply for an eTA click here.

    When should I apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization?

    The Canadian government advises you to apply as soon as you know you travel itinerary.

    However, an eTA can be obtain at the last minute via a smartphone. All you need is an internet connection. The email authorization often only takes a few minutes to come through.

    There is no requirement to print an eTA. It is electronically linked to your passport or travel document.

    How long is an Electronic Travel Authorization valid for?

    An eTA can be valid for five years, or until your passport or travel document expires.

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    Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

    Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents intending to obtain temporary residence to visit their close relatives may apply for extended visitors’ visas known as Super Visas. The maximum validity date for the multiple entries Super Visa is ten years, or one month prior to the applicant’s passport’s expiry, whichever is earlier. Within that time, Super Visa holders can remain in Canada for periods of up to 2-years. In comparison, a regular visitor visa is usually valid for a maximum period of 6-months.

    Le Super Visa pour parents et Grand-parents

    For individuals who are citizens of visa exempt countries, the Super Visa program can still be useful. Persons from visa exempt countries are ordinarily permitted to enter Canada for 6-months without obtaining a visitor visa. Under the new program, a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident from a visa exempt country can apply, from outside of Canada, for a Letter of Introduction, which they can then present to a border official upon arrival to Canada. When presented with a Letter of Introduction, the Canadian border official will normally allow the individual to enter Canada for a period of 2-years.

    Another advantage of Parents and Grandparents Super Visa is its relatively short processing time of approximately 8-weeks.

    Eligibility

    The application for this visa is made to a visa office outside of Canada. The applicant for a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa must meet certain criteria.

    Firstly, the applicant must me eligible for a regular visitor visa. This means that besides being in good health and having a valid travel document, the applicant must satisfy a Canadian immigration official that they will willingly leave the country at the end of their authorized stay, that they have sufficient ties to their home country such as a job, family or property, and that they have sufficient funds available to support themselves for the length of their stay.

    Additionally, the individual applicant must:

    • Show that they are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
    • Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year, providing a minimum coverage of $100,000 for health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
    • Undergo a medical examination.

    Finally, the applicant’s family member in Canada must:

    • Demonstrate that they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
    • Provide the applicant with a letter of invitation. This is a letter that provides information about the applicant’s planned visit, about the child or grandchild’s occupation and economic situation in Canada. Most importantly, this letter must include a written and signed promise of financial support for the applicant for the duration of their visit;
    • Demonstrate their income is above a predetermined minimum level: (Click here);

    It should be noted that holders of a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa have the rights and restrictions of a regular tourist visa holder, and as such cannot work or study while they are in Canada.

    It should also be noted that it is possible to obtain a Super Visa even while an application for permanent residency is pending.

    Individuals interested in applying for a Parent and Grand Parent Super Visa are invited to complete our Free Online Evaluation for an assessment of their eligibility.

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    Canada Study Visa

    Canada welcomes more than 350,000 students from foreign jurisdictions each year. If you intend to study at a Canadian educational institution, most foreign nationals must apply for a study permit. A study permit, once issued, allows a foreign national to study in Canada at an approved institute for the duration of the specified course or program.

    In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada:

    1. If the course or program you intend to study is less that 6 months in duration.
    2. If you are a family member or staff of a foreign representative to Canada.
    3. If you are a member of a foreign armed force.

    To be eligible to study in Canada:

    • You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
    • You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your: 
      • tuition fees;
      • living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada; and
      • return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
    • You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
    • You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
    • You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

    A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also be required if the student is a citizen of a country from which Temporary Resident Visas are required for entry into Canada. A Temporary Resident Visa is not required for citizens of visa exempt countries.

    Working in Canada as a Student

    It is possible to work in Canada, while you are here as a student, under any Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) work programs for students.
    A student may be able to work in Canada during the course of study under the following categories:

    In addition to this, spouses or common-law partners of foreign students are eligible for a work permit for the duration as the study permit.

    Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Under this program, the work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.

    Steps to Get admission to a Canadian University or College

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    Canada Visit/Tourist Visa

    A visitor is a person who wants to come to Canada to work, study or visit. A visitor is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

    Every visitor, unless exempted, must obtain a visa before arriving. All visitors who require a visa must have the visa when they appear at a port of entry.

    Do I need an Electronic Travel Authorization?

    All air travellers from visa exempt countries require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they board a flight. This includes those who are transiting through Canada. It only includes travellers arriving by air. For more information, click here.

    How do I apply for a Canada visit visa?

    1. Submit a visit visa application to the responsible Canadian visa office in your country or region.
    2. You may need to attend an interview where the visa officer will verify:
      1. Your reasons for visiting Canada.
      2. Your ability or willingness to leave Canada when the visa expires.
      3. Your overall admissibility to Canada.
    3. A visit visa is issued and you can come to Canada. At the port of entry an immigration officer will question the applicant to ensure admissibility.

    A visitor visa may be for single entry or multiple entry use. Single entry visas may be issued up to six months before the expected date of travel. The maximum validity date for multiple entry visitor visas is up to ten (10) years or one month prior to the expiry date on the passport/re-entry visa, whichever is earlier. POE officers will routinely grant entry for a period of six months to a person requesting entry as a visitor.

    A foreign national who has an immigrant visa already in process is not prohibited from applying for a temporary resident visa.

    Which countries require a visa to visit or transit through Canada?

    Citizens of the following countries and territories require a Visa to VISIT or TRANSIT Canada:

    A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

    A

    • Afghanistan
    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Angola
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Argentina
    • Armenia
    • Azerbaijan

    B

    • Bahrain
    • Bangladesh
    • Belarus
    • Belize
    • Benin
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia
    • Bosnia-Herzegovina
    • Botswana
    • Brazil (note: some Brazilian citizens may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements)
    • Bulgaria
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi

    C

    • Cambodia
    • Cameroon, Republic of
    • Cape Verde
    • Central African Republic
    • Chad
    • Chile
    • China, People’s Republic of
    • Colombia
    • Comoros
    • Congo, Democratic Republic of
    • Congo, Republic of
    • Costa Rica, Republic of
    • Cuba

    D

    • Djibouti
    • Dominica
    • Dominican Republic

    E

    • East Timor
    • Ecuador
    • Egypt
    • El Salvador
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Eritrea
    • Ethiopia

    F

    • Fiji

    G

    • Gabon
    • Gambia
    • Georgia
    • Ghana
    • Grenada
    • Guatemala
    • Guinea
    • Guinea-Bissau
    • Guyana

    H

    • Haiti
    • Honduras

    I

    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Israel (only Israeli citizens holding valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport”)
    • Ivory Coast

    J

    • Jamaica
    • Jordan

    K

    • Kazakhstan
    • Kenya
    • Kiribati
    • Korea, North
    • Kosovo
    • Kuwait
    • Kyrgyzstan

    L

    • Laos
    • Lebanon
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Libya

    M

    • Macao S.A.R.
    • Macedonia
    • Madagascar
    • Malawi
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives Islands
    • Mali
    • Marshall Islands
    • Mauritania
    • Mauritius
    • Micronesia, Fed. States
    • Moldova
    • Mongolia
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Myanmar (Burma)

    N

    • Namibia
    • Nauru
    • Nepal
    • Nicaragua
    • Niger
    • Nigeria

    O

    • Oman

    P

    • Pakistan
    • Palau
    • Palestinian Authority
    • Panama
    • Paraguay
    • Peru
    • Philippines

    Q

    • Qatar

    R

    • Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport)
    • Russia
    • Rwanda

    S

    • St. Lucia
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent)
    • Sao Tomé e Principe
    • Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
    • Senegal
    • Serbia
    • Seychelles
    • Sierra Leone
    • Somalia
    • South Africa
    • South Sudan
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sudan
    • Surinam
    • Swaziland
    • Syria

    T

    • Taiwan (except holders of the ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification number)
    • Tajikistan
    • Tanzania
    • Thailand
    • Togo
    • Tonga
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Turkmenistan
    • Tuvalu

    U

    • Uganda
    • Ukraine
    • Uruguay
    • Uzbekistan

    V

    • Vanuatu
    • Venezuela
    • Vietnam

    Y

    • Yemen

    Z

    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe

    ||||

    Do I need to provide biometrics to enter Canada?

    Canada will expand its biometrics collection to the vast majority of immigrants during 2018.

    Everyone who applies for a visit visa, work permit, study permit or permanent residence will need to provide fingerprints and a photo.

    From July 31 2018, the program will be expanded to cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

    Applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas will be required to provide biometrics from December 31, 2018.

    Who is exempt from biometrics collection?

    • Canadian citizens and existing permanent residents, plus citizenship applicants.
    • Travellers from visa-exempt countries who have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
    • U.S. citizens with work or study permit.
    • Anyone aged under 14 or over 79.
    • Heads of state, cabinet ministers, those with diplomatic status on an official trip.
    • Those with a U.S. visa who are transiting through Canada.

    Biometric screening is already mandatory for all temporary resident applicants who are a national of a country or territory listed below.

    • Colombia
    • Haiti
    • Jamaica
    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Democratic Republic of Congo
    • Eritrea
    • Libya
    • Nigeria
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Somalia
    • South Sudan
    • Sudan
    • Tunisia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Burma (Myanmar)
    • Cambodia
    • Egypt
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Jordan
    • Laos
    • Lebanon
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    • Syria
    • Vietnam
    • Yemen
    • Palestinian Authority

    Which countries are exempt from requiring a Canada visa?

    Other exemptions:

    Conditions:

    Citizens of British dependent territories: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you are a citizen of a British dependent territory who derives their citizenship through birth, descent, registration or naturalization in one of the British dependent territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena or the Turks and Caicos Islands.

    British National (Overseas): You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold a British National (Overseas) passport issued by the United Kingdom to persons born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong.

    British Subjects: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold a British Subject passport issued by the United Kingdom which contains the observation that the holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

    Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold a valid and subsisting Special Administrative Region passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

    Holy See: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold a passport or travel document issued by the Holy See.

    Taiwan: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes your personal identification number.

    Israel: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold a national Israeli passport.

    Romania: You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you hold an electronic passport.

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    Canada Temporary Visa Overview

    Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents each year. Unless they are Canadian citizens or Canadian Permanent Residents, individuals coming to Canada for the purpose of visiting, studying or working may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada.

    Types of Non-immigrant Visas:

    Canada Visitor Visa
    A visitor visa allows you to enter Canada as a visitor or tourist. Generally, you can stay in Canada for up to 6 months as a visitor.

    Canada Student Visa
    A study permit allows a foreign national to study in Canada at a specific Canadian educational institution and in a specific program.

    Canada Work Visa
    A work permit allows a foreign national with an offer of employment from a Canadian company to work in Canada on a temporary basis.

    Parents and Grandparents Super Visa
    A super visa allows parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status.

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