Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS) is designed to help high-growth companies quickly hire top international professionals to fill in-demand roles—especially in the tech and innovation sectors. Administered under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, GTS significantly shortens the processing time for work permits and visa applications to as little as two weeks, empowering employers to swiftly meet their hiring needs.
According to Maple News, the Global Talent Stream is divided into two key categories. Category A supports innovative companies that have been referred by one of several federal or provincial designated partners. This stream targets workers with highly specialized expertise, such as advanced industry knowledge or significant experience. Category B is tailored for employers hiring workers in occupations listed on Canada’s Global Talent Occupations List, which includes in-demand roles like software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and data scientists.
A critical component of the program is the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP), which every participating employer must submit. This plan outlines how hiring foreign talent will benefit Canada’s labor market, such as creating new jobs for Canadians or investing in employee training and skill development. Depending on the category, the LMBP must include specific commitments—like job creation under Category A, or upskilling Canadians under Category B.
Employers benefit from the program’s streamlined process. Once the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and LMBP are approved—typically within 10 business days—foreign candidates can apply for a work permit, which is also processed within two weeks. The entire process allows companies to onboard global professionals in roughly a month, a significant advantage in industries that evolve rapidly.
The eligibility criteria for foreign workers under Category A include advanced industry expertise and either a graduate degree or five years of specialized experience—often with a minimum wage expectation of $80,000/year. For Category B, a broad range of high-demand occupations across tech, engineering, and digital media are eligible, each with set minimum wage requirements to ensure equity with Canadian counterparts.
To qualify for the program, employers must also meet general TFWP requirements such as demonstrating business legitimacy, offering prevailing market wages, ensuring safe working conditions, and providing equal rights and benefits. In unionized roles, foreign workers must be treated equally to Canadian union members. For employers in Quebec, the application must be submitted simultaneously to both federal and provincial authorities.
Foreign workers themselves cannot apply directly to the GTS. Instead, they must secure job offers from qualified Canadian employers who then initiate the LMIA and work permit process. Workers must also demonstrate eligibility and meet standard documentation requirements during the application.
The Global Talent Stream not only provides high-growth employers with access to international talent but also ensures that these hires contribute to building a stronger Canadian workforce. By addressing skills shortages, particularly in emerging technologies, GTS plays a key role in strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem and economic growth.
As Maple News reports, for companies not on the referral partner list, Category B is a viable alternative. And while specific job roles are necessary for eligibility, other immigration pathways remain available when GTS does not apply. With a focus on speed, reliability, and mutual economic benefit, the Global Talent Stream is proving to be a strategic pillar in Canada’s immigration and labor policy.