Global Skills Strategy: A Fast-track route for tech-workers to get hired and settle in Canada

March 27, 2019

SPS Canada

Global Skills Strategy: A Permanent Program Now

In the Federal Budget 2019, as released recently on March 19, 2019, the Government of Canada while addressing the global skill shortage made the Global Talent Stream a permanent one. It will come as a benefit to the Canadian employers and immigrant tech-workers who are interested to explore their options to settle in Canada’s vibrant tech community.

Canada’s shout-out in WEF

In the recently held World Economic Forum (WEF) annual general meeting, Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, promoted the interest of Canada and its future digital economy. Canada is actively seeking a highly skilled workforce and expertise from around the world. In order to promote Canada as the most preferred site, it has introduced easy immigration processes. The fast-track process for the highly skilled foreign workers to obtain work permits and permanent residency is one of the most notable policy changes that were made by the government.

Welcoming tech-workers through easy migration

Global Skills Strategy was launched in 2017 in Canada to facilitate the process for companies in Canada to hire highly-skilled foreign workers. Under this program, the companies can attract foreign talent globally to secure their stand in the global economy. Having a highly skilled workforce in the country will accelerate the economy by creating more jobs for Canadians.

It is interesting to see the immigration policies of a country making huge differences in its economic dynamics. Many highly-skilled immigrants, including tech-workers, are trying to explore their options in Canada, leaving United States due to its restrictive immigration policies to move and settle in Toronto. Canada is using this opportunity to secure more tech-workforce by offering flexible immigration options.

According to The Economist, it is predicted that there will be around 200,000 tech vacancies in Canada by 2020. Other factors like the low cost of living have also played a role in the migration.

Important changes introduced under the Global Skills Strategy

“The Global Skills Strategy is helping employers recruit and employ highly skilled workers. We are attracting some of the most highly skilled people in the world now through our Global Skills Strategy. There was a time when Canada used to lose its most talented individuals and now we’re getting people coming this way because of our immigration system.”

• The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The Global Skills Strategy includes four important changes:

• Two new work permit exemptions for short-term work in Canada;
• Two-week work permit processing times for eligible high-skilled workers under the existing International Mobility Program;
• A dedicated service channel for employers bringing significant investment to Canada; and
• The creation of a Global Talent Stream for skilled occupations in shortage and for employers with unique talent needs.

Canadian companies applying for workers through the Global Talent Stream receive:

• Client-focused service to help them throughout the application process.
• Flexible recruitment requirements.
• Expedited processing of Labour Market Benefit Plans and work permits (10 business days, compared to an average of two months to complete the Labour Market Impact Assessment process).

Stream in through Global Skills Strategy-The Process

The Global Skills Strategy introduced a new stream called the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Under TFWP, the foreign workers are attracted to work in Canada through the Global Talent Stream (GTS) which processes an applicant’s work permit application within two weeks. The Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) applications under Global Talent Stream will be given priority in terms of processing.

The applications under GTS are managed by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The application must be filed online and from outside Canada under two specific situations:

Situation A-with LMIA:

An applicant can become eligible to obtain a work permit within two-weeks if his/her employer has obtained a favourable LMIA under the Global Talent Stream for category A or B.

Under category A, the employer can hire unique and specialized talent by obtaining a reference from any one of 14 designated partners. The Designated Referral Partners include provincial and municipal governments and regional development agencies.

Under category B, the employer may hire highly-skilled foreign national for an occupation categorized in the Global Talent Occupations List. The Global Talent Occupations List includes occupations for which there are demonstrable shortages in Canada, including information technology (IT) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM) occupations.

Situation B-without LMIA:

An applicant can apply for GSS work permit under this situation if he/she has a job offer from an employer who is exempted from LMIA process, under Canada’s International Mobility Program, for an employer-specific position in a NOC skill level 0 or A occupation.

To help you navigate the entire process within a short period of time, our team has the resources and skills to assist. To know more about your eligibility under different categories, Simply Start your Assessment or Call (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada), +91 9586 226232 (Ahmedabad) or drop an E-mail at support@spscanada.com (Canada), support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad) for further information.

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