Global Talent Stream

Under the Global Talent Stream, employers are not subject to advertising requirements and Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada) is supposed to process Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications within two weeks. Further, employers can include multiple occupations within a single application, they are only required to provide one document evidencing business legitimacy, and the application form is an abridged version of the standard LMIA application form. The Global Talent Stream includes two categories, being Category A and Category B. 

Category A

Category A is for employers who have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by a Designated Referral Partner and are seeking to hire “unique and specialized” talent. Unique and specialized talent includes foreign nationals who have:

  • Advanced industry knowledge;
  • An advanced degree in a relevant area and / or at least 5 years of relevant work experience; and
  • A salary of usually CAD$80,000 per annum or higher.

Service Canada has identified multiple organizations as Designated Referral Partners, including the following:

  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
  • BC Tech Association
  • Business Development Bank of Canada
  • Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
  • Communitech Corporation
  • Council of Canadian Innovators
  • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
  • Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
  • Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour
  • Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training
  • Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.
  • ICT Association of Manitoba
  • Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of the Economy
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Accelerated Growth Service
  • Invest Ottawa
  • MaRS Discovery District
  • National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program
  • Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
  • Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
  • Privy Council Office, Special Projects Team
  • Vancouver Economic Commission
  • Venn Innovation

An employer or prospective employer is required to submit a Labour Market Benefits Plan as part of their LMIA application. Under Category A, an employer must commit to new job creation for Canadian citizens and permanent residents plus two complementary benefits. 

Category B

Category B is for employers who are seeking to hire a foreign national in an occupation that is on the Global Talent Occupations List. The Global Talent Occupations List currently includes the following occupations:

  • Computer and information systems managers;
  • Computer engineers;
  • Information systems analysts and consultants; 
  • Database analysts and administrators; 
  • Software engineers and designers; 
  • Computer programmers and interactive media developers; 
  • Web designers and developers; 
  • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians;
  • Information systems testing technicians;
  • Producers, technical, creative and artistic directors, and project managers for visual effects and video games; and
  • Digital media designers.

Please note that some of these occupations are subject to additional requirements. 

An employer or prospective employer is required to submit a Labour Market Benefits Plan as part of their LMIA application. Under Category B, Employers must commit to upskilling and making investments into the training of Canadian citizens and permanent residents plus two complementary benefits.