Applying and Hiring Through the Global Talent Stream

What is the Global Talent Stream?

Are you an employer who needs to a hire an employee for a skilled position, but are having troubles finding one domestically? Have you refused to hire from overseas before due to the length of time and level of commitment this undertaking brings? If this is the case, there may be good news for you! Oftentimes, individuals don’t want to hire foreign nationals for temporary positions because there is a good chance it will take longer to have an application approved successfully, than the total amount of time the foreign worker will actually be employed with you. Many individuals discount hiring temporary foreign workers because it is not worth it. Though, with the introduction of the global talent stream (GTS) through the temporary foreign worker program, comes a solution to many of these problems. The GTS is a part of the temporary foreign worker program, so you are not exempt from the requirement of obtaining a positive LMIA, though, you will have the privilege of greatly decreased processing times, and will be able to hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW) in no time. Ultimately, the GTS is a program that provides innovative companies the ability to recruit highly specialized and skilled talent they need to expand and remain competitive, by giving them better access to the global labor market, by providing faster and more predictable application processing.

Who Can Hire Through the Global Talent Stream (GTS)?

The Global Talent Stream is available to two categories of employers. The first, category A employers: Firms in Canada that are referred to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s Global Talent Stream by an Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Designated Referral Partner because they are innovative and can demonstrate a need to hire unique and specialized temporary foreign workers in order to scale-up and grow. A designated referral partner is simply a company who themselves, is identified on a list which gives them status to identify other companies as innovative companies which requires unique and special talent to have success in their work. On the other hand, there are category B employers: Those firms in Canada that need to hire foreign workers for highly skilled in-demand occupations found on ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List where there is insufficient domestic labour supply. Please find ESDC’s Global Talent Occupations List below.

List of Designated High Skilled Occupations and Special Requirements Which Apply

These positions have been designated as in-demand and having an insufficient number of workers available in Canada. Therefore, to be eligible under Category B of the GTS, you must comply with the requirements of a GTS employer, and must be hiring a skilled employee for one of these designated positions. You also must comply with the specific wage requirements of the position you are hiring for.

Category A Employers

Category A employers will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. they are operating in Canada,
2. they have a focus on innovation,
3. they are willing and capable to grow,
4. they need to fill and unique and specialized position,
5. They have identified a foreign worker who would fulfill their need to fill a unique and specialized.

It is important to understand what constitutes a “unique and specialized position.” According to Citizenship and Immigration Services Canada, a unique and specialized position is indicated by:

1. being a highly paid position with an annual salary of at least $80,000, or an annual salary equivalent to the prevailing wage for that occupation if it is higher than $80,000; and,
2. the individual must require advanced knowledge of the industry; and,
3. the individual must have an advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer; and/or,
4. The individual must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of specialized experience.

Requirements of GTS Employers

Employers are expected to work with Employment and Social Development Canada to create a Labor Market Benefits plan they will adhere to which will help transition this skilled position to a full-time Canadian resident, and ultimately boost the economy. You are expected to comply with the Labour Market Benefits Plan you developed with ESDC that demonstrates your commitment to help the Canadian economy. Roughly every 6 months, ESDC will conduct progress reviews to ensure you adhere to the Labor Market Benefits Plan you developed. Failure to comply will result in the employer becoming ineligible to hire temporary foreign workers under the Global Talent Stream.

The Application Process

First, it is the employer’s responsibility to apply for and receive a positive labor market impact assessment, essentially showing that the government is in support of your attempts to hire a temporary foreign worker. Then, it is the employee’s responsibility to apply for a work permit, under the GTS. Because you are hiring under the GTS, you will have the privilege of 2-week application processing, if your application is submitted completely and without error. Though, if you submit a full application, with a job offer from an employer, which is endorsed by a positive LMIA, your application should be processed in 2 weeks.

Contact Akrami and Associates

It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned important information in consideration prior to applying for the Global Talent Stream, to ensure your application is not refused on a technicality. If you are unsure what requirements are needed from you to apply for the GTS, it is always best to research before applying. Applying under the Global Talent Stream can be a very confusing process if done on your own; therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients apply through the global talent stream and have helped employers successfully hire a temporary foreign worker to fill a highly skilled position in Canada. If you believe that you might be eligible, then please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!