Fast Tracking Skilled Worker Hiring In Canada for Employers: Global Talent Stream

Are you an employer that wants to bring skilled workers to Canada quickly and by skipping some of the stringent steps? The Global Talent Stream offers a fast, efficient way for employers in Canada to hire skilled foreign workers for essential roles. This program is especially helpful for companies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) facing labor shortages.

By applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), employers can hire foreign talent quickly. The Global Talent Stream has:

• faster processing times,
• simpler requirements, and
• lets companies fill multiple positions in one application.

Currently, Global Talent Stream LMIAs are processed in just 7 business days, much faster than other streams.

This stream provides certain advantages over other regular LMIA application streams in order to help employers bring needed foreign science, engineering, and tech talent into Canada more efficiently.

Contact YLaw’s Immigration Team for Guidance →

Why Should Employers Use the Global Talent Stream?

The Global Talent Stream helps employers bring skilled workers to Canada faster. Here’s why it’s beneficial:

• Quick Processing: Average processing time is only 7 business days.
• No Advertising Requirements: Unlike other streams, the GTS doesn’t require extensive job advertising.
• Multiple Jobs in One LMIA: Employers can apply for multiple roles in one application.

If you’re ready to get started, contact YLaw to learn more about the Global Talent Stream benefits.

Two Global Talent Stream Categories for Employers

There are two main categories within the Global Talent Stream, each with specific requirements.

Category A: For Innovative Businesses

Category A of the Global Talent Stream Canada is only available to employers who have been referred to the program by a designated referral partner of the GTS. Partners vary by region: Atlantic, Central, and Western Canada each have specific ones, as well as pan-Canadian partners. A list of current partners can be found here.

To qualify for a Category A referral, an employer must:

• Have a business focused on innovation
• Be willing and capable of growing and scaling up
• Be hiring for a unique, specialized position
• Have already identified a foreign worker to fill the role

For a job position to be considered “unique and specialized,” it must:

• Pay at least $80,000 per year (or meet market wage requirements).
• Require advanced industry knowledge and experience.

Since “unique and specialized” positions are defined as those for which very few specialized individuals exist with the unique skill set required to fill the role, ESDC typically only accepts referrals for up to 2 such positions per employer per calendar year. In exceptional situations, ESDC will consider accepting more than 2 referrals per year. However, any additional positions referred over 2 will have to be paid a minimum of $72.11 per hour equalling at least $150,000 annual base salary, or the median wage on Job Bank, or a wage within the wage range paid to current employees in the same position and work location with the same skills and years of experience, whichever is highest.

See how YLaw can help you with Category A requirements →

Category B: For In-Demand Occupations

Category B is relatively straightforward compared to Category A. There are no referrals required in this category. The employer needs to fill a role on ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List, which includes in-demand engineering and tech positions. View the full list here.

Category B requirements:

• Must offer at least the minimum wage listed for the role.
• For occupations with wage floors (wage minimums), the employer must pay at least the hourly wage floor set by ESDC, or whichever is higher between the wage floor, the median wage on Job Bank, or the wage range that the employer currently pays employees in the same position at the same location with the same skills and years of experience.

If the employer is not prepared to pay the higher hourly wage floor, other stream options to get an LMIA would generally be the High-wage or Permanent Residency Support Streams.

Explore how Category B can help fill high-demand roles. Contact YLaw today.

Key Steps for a Successful Application Through Global Stream

1. Obtain Your Provincial Registration Certificate

For some provinces, such as British Columbia, employers must get a certificate of registration before hiring foreign workers. Processing times can be long, so apply for this certificate early to avoid delays.

2. Advertise Locally to Strengthen Your Application

Under the Global Talent Stream, the usual mandatory advertising/recruitment requirements are waived.

This means that employers are not required to submit supporting documents proving advertising/recruitment for the job position upfront with their LMIA application, and the usual strict requirements for time/length of advertisement, methods of advertisement, etc., do not apply.

However, ESDC prefers to see that employers tried hiring locally first. Posting job ads can strengthen your application and show commitment to hiring Canadians.

Ready to get started? Book a consultation with YLaw to simplify your application.

3. Create a Realistic Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP)

Applying under the Global Talent Stream Canada requires the employer to work with ESDC to create a Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) committing the employer to engage in future activities that benefit the Canadian economy, such as job creation, investment in skills and training, and transferring knowledge to Canadians and permanent residents. It’s essential to only commit to activities your business can fulfill, as ESDC reviews your progress annually.

Why Choose YLaw for Your Immigration Needs?

Navigating the Global Talent Stream can be complex. YLaw’s experienced immigration team ensures that employers understand each step, from completing an LMIA to hiring skilled workers.

Take advantage of the Global Talent Stream and bring top talent to your team. Contact YLaw for a consultation.