Canada Global Talent Stream work permit

Highly skilled workers offered a job by an employer eligible under Category A or Category B of the Global Talent Stream.

• Job offer

  The employer must offer employment for a specified period, with a set wage and clear working conditions; the worker must be employed full-time.

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• Eligible employer and job

  Category A is for an innovative company operating in Canada, referred by a designated referral partner to hire unique and specialised talent to help it grow. Category B is for a firm in Canada hiring for an occupation on the global talent occupations list; it does not require a referral.

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• Category A talent

  For Category A, the position must require advanced knowledge of the industry and an advanced degree in an area of specialisation of interest to the employer and/or at least 5 years of experience in the specialised field.

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• Category B occupation

  For Category B, the position must be on the global talent occupations list. The listed subsets of visual effects and video game producers, directors and project managers, and digital media designers, have additional specified 3-year experience requirements.

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• Required wage

  The employer must pay the prevailing wage. For the first 2 approved Category A positions per calendar year, the offer must also be at least CAD 38.46 per hour and CAD 80,000 annual base salary; additional Category A positions require at least CAD 72.11 per hour and CAD 150,000 annual base salary. Category B occupations with a listed hourly wage floor must meet that floor or the higher prevailing wage.

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• Employer benefits plan

  The employer must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan with ESDC. Category A requires a job-creation commitment; Category B requires a commitment to increase skills and training investment for Canadians and permanent residents. Both require at least 2 complementary benefits, with at least 1 activity for each.

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• Provincial employer registration

  For hiring in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Nova Scotia, the employer must include its provincial employer registration certificate or proof of exemption with the LMIA application.

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• Positive LMIA

  For a Global Talent Stream work permit application, the employer must provide a positive Global Talent Stream LMIA; the worker needs its decision letter and file number.

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• Employment documents

  For an LMIA-required work permit, the employer must give the worker an employment contract and job offer letter, as well as the positive LMIA and its file number.

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• Quebec certificate, if applicable

  The employer must give the worker a Quebec Acceptance Certificate if the worker plans to do a paid job in Quebec for more than 30 days.

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• Meet the job requirements

  Applicants for an employer-specific work permit must provide proof that they meet the requirements of the job, such as a licence or certification if the job is regulated, alongside employment and experience documents.

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• Money for stay and return

  The worker must show enough money to support themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and to return home; the page gives no single fixed amount.

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• Leave when required

  The worker must show that they will leave Canada before their work permit expires.

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• Eligible to enter Canada

  A work permit application may be refused for medical inadmissibility, criminal activity, security concerns, misrepresentation, an ineligible employer or other inadmissibility.

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• Faster-processing conditions

  To qualify for Global Skills Strategy faster processing, the worker must apply online from outside Canada with a complete application, include certified translations of documents not in English or French and upfront medical examination results if needed, identify the Global Talent Stream LMIA in the eligibility questionnaire, and provide biometrics within 2 weeks of receiving the instruction letter if biometrics are required.

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• Employer-paid LMIA processing fee per position; it cannot be charged to the workerResearched just now · being double-checkedSource$1,000 once
• Work permit processing fee, unless exemptResearched just now · being double-checkedSource$155 per person
• Individual biometrics fee, if biometrics are requiredResearched just now · being double-checkedSource$85 per person

1. Get ready

   • Secure an eligible job offer

     Agree a full-time, paid position with an employer in Canada that meets Category A or Category B requirements.

     You’ll need: Job offer

   • Prepare the employer’s LMIA application

     Have the employer prepare its Labour Market Benefits Plan, business documents and, where applicable, Category A referral form and provincial registration evidence.

     You’ll need: Labour Market Benefits Plan, Business legitimacy documents, Category A referral form, if applicable, Provincial employer registration certificate or proof of exemption, if applicable

   • Collect the approved LMIA and job documents

     Once the employer receives a positive LMIA, obtain its decision letter and file number, your employment contract and your job offer letter.

     You’ll need: Positive Global Talent Stream LMIA decision letter, LMIA file number, Employment contract, Job offer letter

   • Prepare your work permit evidence

     Gather the documents on your application checklist, proof you meet the job requirements, certified translations and upfront medical examination results if needed.

     You’ll need: Passport, Employment and experience documents, Proof of required licence or certification, if applicable, Certified translations, if applicable, Upfront medical examination results, if applicable

2. Apply

   • Have the employer submit the LMIA

     The employer submits the Global Talent Stream application and required documents through LMIA Online and pays the CAD 1,000 fee per position.

     You’ll need: LMIA application, Supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Apply online for your work permit

     Apply from outside Canada, identify the Global Talent Stream LMIA in the eligibility questionnaire, upload your complete application and pay the applicable fees.

     You’ll need: Positive LMIA decision letter, Employment contract, Job offer letter, Documents on the personalised checklist

   • Give biometrics if required

     If you receive a biometrics instruction letter, give your biometrics within 2 weeks to remain eligible for faster processing.

     You’ll need: Biometrics instruction letter

4. Travel

   • Bring your approval documents to Canada

     When you arrive

     After approval, bring your passport, any required visitor visa and medical results, proof of work permit approval, and supporting job documents to the border.

     You’ll need: Passport, Visitor visa, if required, Valid medical examination results, if required, Port of entry letter of introduction or other proof of approval, Copy of positive LMIA

5. Settle in

   • Get a social insurance number

     When you arrive

     Get a social insurance number as soon as you arrive and make sure you have access to health insurance or enough money if you need medical attention.

     You’ll need: Work permit

An employer-specific work permit for temporary work in Canada, if the worker’s application is approved.

• Canada trims list of partners providing access to fast-track hiring under Global Talent Stream of TFWPcanada.caOfficial
• canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/g…Official
• Work permit: Submit your application from outside Canada – Steps and priority processing - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/pe…Official
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/pe…Official
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/sp…Official
• Work permit: Forms and document requirements for applications outside Canada - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• Work permit: Apply from outside Canada – Eligibility and requirements - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.