The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is part of the Canadian government’s Global Skills Strategy, which facilitates access to highly skilled foreign workers in order to enhance Canada’s economic growth and create jobs. It is also part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This pilot program launched has 2 week processing time for work permit applications for certain highly skilled foreign workers only.
The 2 week processing timeline also implies for open work permits for accompanying spouses/common-law partners, and study permits for accompanying dependants, if applicable.
Employers recruiting through this program require to work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan. The employer commits to creating positive benefits for Canada’s labour market, by creating new jobs and training for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
This program also allows employers, universities and some research institutions to bring in international talent for short timeframe with no work permit at all.
The two-week processing standard is also extended to encompass applications submitted through the International Mobility Program for employer-specific work permits for workers exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement, in an occupation under skill type 0 or skill level A of the NOC.
