The Global Skills Strategy is aimed at helping high-growth Canadian companies attract specialized global talent needed for innovation and growth by providing faster and more predictable streamlined service for foreign workers identified as high-demand.

The Global Skills Strategy includes:

• A 2-week processing time for work permit applications (and temporary resident visas when applicable), for highly skilled talent:
  •  if they are LMIA-exempt, the following requirements must all be met:
    • are applying from outside Canada,
    • the job is either of a skill type O (managerial) or skill-type A (Professional)
    • the Employer has submitted an offer of employment through the Employer Portal

OR

• • if they require an LMIA:
    • are applying from outside Canada,
    • they have a positive LMIA for an employer-specific job which is eligible through the Global Talent Stream.

• Eligibility of the spouse/common-law partner and dependents of the worker for 2-week processing;

The Global Talent Stream enables processing of LMIA applications in 10 business days. The Stream is comprised of two categories:

• • Category A :
    • The employer has been referred to the Stream by one of Employment and Social Development Canada’s designated partners and is hiring unique and specialized talent
  • Category B :
    • The employer is seeking to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in high-demand occupations that are included in the Global Talent occupations list. Minimum salary requirements apply to certain occupations.

Labour Market Benefits Plan:

To benefit from the Global Talent Stream, the employer is required to work with ESDC to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan that demonstrates its commitment to activities that will have lasting, positive impacts on the Canadian labour market in terms of job creation and skills and training investments and other economic benefits.

To know more about the requirements for work permits or exemptions under the Global Skills Strategy, or LMIAs under the Global Talent Stream, the steps in the application process, or if your application has been refused CONTACT US us today to schedule a legal consultation.