Global Talent Stream (GTS) — Canada

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) lets Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers quickly under the Global Skills Strategy. This pathway is used when specialized talent isn’t readily available in Canada and the role meets strict IRCC criteria.

What it is and who uses it

The Global Talent Stream is employer-driven. It’s part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program and requires employer participation from the outset.

You use the GTS when:

• A Canadian employer offers you a highly skilled position.
• The employer qualifies under Category A or Category B.
• The employer complies with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.

Employers initiate the process. They must show that the role meets criteria tied to innovation or in-demand occupations.

Once the employer’s approval is secured, you apply to IRCC for a Work Permit (Employer-Specific). Usually, this is an LMIA-Based Work Permit, tied to a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment under the Global Talent Stream.

You submit your work permit application to IRCC using the required forms, including Form IMM 1295 if applying from outside Canada.

Category overview

The Global Talent Stream has two categories. Your eligibility depends on which category your employer qualifies under.

Under Category A, the employer must be referred by a designated partner, and the position must require talent that is unique and specialized.

Under Category B, the employer must hire for a role listed on the Global Talent Occupations List. These are high-demand, highly skilled occupations identified as important to Canada’s economy.

You don’t choose the category yourself. The employer determines eligibility based on business needs and referral or occupation criteria.

How it fits into Canada’s temporary worker programs

The Global Talent Stream is part of Canada’s temporary worker framework. It’s not a permanent residence program.

You receive an employer-specific work permit. That means:

• You can work only for the approved employer.
• You must work in the approved position.
• You must follow the conditions listed on your permit.

IRCC processes your work permit application after the employer completes the LMIA process under the GTS. CBSA determines admissibility when you enter Canada.

The GTS is different from permanent programs such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker). Express Entry can lead to permanent residence, while the Global Talent Stream provides temporary work authorization.

You and your employer file separate but coordinated applications. The employer secures the required authorization first, and you then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for your work permit with supporting documents that match the employer’s approval.

Employer (LMIA / LMIA-exempt) steps

The employer must determine whether the position requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or qualifies as LMIA‑exempt under the Global Talent Stream.

If the role appears on the Global Talent Occupations List, the employer must meet Category B requirements. In LMIA-based cases, the employer submits an application that reflects reasonable employment needs and the expected duration of work.

A key requirement is the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP). This plan outlines the employer’s concrete commitments to create lasting, positive impacts on the Canadian labour market.

Employers must ensure:

• The job duties and duration align with genuine business needs.
• The occupation matches the selected Global Talent Stream category.
• The LMBP commitments are clear and measurable.

Some foreign nationals may work in Canada for one 120‑day period within a 12‑month period, if eligible. Employers must track this carefully to avoid non-compliance.

If you later apply through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), your job details must remain consistent with the employer’s original submission.

Worker application steps

After the employer completes the required process, you apply to IRCC for a Work Permit (Employer-Specific).

If the position required an LMIA, you apply for an LMIA-Based Work Permit. Your application must match the employer’s approved job offer, including occupation and employment duration.

You typically submit:

1. Form Form IMM 1295 (Application for Work Permit Made Outside Canada, if applicable).

2. Supporting documents that reflect the employer’s authorization.

3. Payment of the required fees.

Key work permit fees:

Family members may apply at the same time and place. To qualify for a maximum family fee of CA$500, all family members must apply together and children must meet the definition of dependants.

Medical exams, if required, must be valid at the time of application.

IRCC assesses eligibility. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) determines admissibility when you enter Canada.

Quebec and third-party representative notes

If the job is located in Quebec, additional provincial considerations may apply. Confirm whether Quebec-specific steps are required before filing with IRCC.

If you use a third-party representative, make sure:

• The representative accurately reflects the employer’s LMIA or LMIA‑exempt details.
• All forms, including IMM 1295, match the employer’s submission.
• You review the LMBP-related job information for consistency.

Inconsistent information between the employer’s submission and your work permit application can delay processing or result in refusal.

You remain responsible for the accuracy of your application, even if a representative prepares it.

You cannot simply switch companies under the Global Talent Stream. Your authorization is tied to a specific employer, job title, and National Occupation Classification (NOC) code under an employer-specific LMIA-Based Work Permit.

Job details and NOC requirements

Your current Work Permit (Employer-Specific) lists your employer’s name, job title, and conditions. If you change employers, you’ll need a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the Global Talent Stream and a fresh work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The new employer has to provide all the right job details, including:

• Legal business name and CRA business number
• Business contact info, alternate contacts if any
• Job title and matching NOC code
• Detailed job duties
• Compensation and benefits
• Any language requirements beyond English or French, with justification
• Third-party representative details, if used

Your NOC code must fit the actual duties you’ll perform. If it doesn’t match, expect a refusal.

You have to submit a new application (such as Form IMM 1295) that shows the updated employer and position. If you later apply under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), your work history needs to line up with the NOC used in your permit.

Proofs needed at the border

If you apply for your new permit at a port of entry where eligible, you’ll need documents matching the approved LMIA and job offer. CBSA officers assess admissibility at the border, not IRCC.

Bring:

• LMIA confirmation for the new employer
• Written job offer with title, NOC, duties, and compensation
• Proof of your identity and citizenship
• Evidence of your current immigration status
• Employer contact details

Job details on your documents must match exactly. Officers compare the NOC, duties, and compensation against the LMIA approval.

If you previously worked for another employer, bring proof that you followed your prior permit conditions. Inconsistent information can cause delays or even prevent entry.

Occupation lists and category routing

The Global Talent Stream routes applications based on occupation and employer circumstances. The employer must select the correct category when seeking the LMIA.

Your job offer should clearly state:

• The specific occupation and NOC code
• Core job duties
• Compensation structure
• Any specialized language requirements with justification

If your occupation changes, the LMIA category may change as well. A software engineer and a technical sales specialist, for example, use different NOC codes and require different justifications.

The LMIA category, NOC code, and job description all have to align. IRCC reviews your LMIA-Based Work Permit using those details.

A Global Talent Stream work permit can support a long-term plan for permanent residence. Keep your employer-specific status, documents, and future application strategy aligned from the start.

Typical permanent residence pathways

Many Global Talent Stream workers later apply for permanent residence through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker).

You submit your PR application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC reviews your eligibility and supporting documents.

Your work history under a valid LMIA-Based Work Permit becomes part of your immigration record. This includes employment tied to a specific employer under a Work Permit (Employer-Specific).

Documents that often carry forward from your work permit stage include:

• A valid job offer or employment contract
• Employer business records, such as a business license
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax documentation from the employer
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) already provided to IRCC

If you applied under Category A of the Global Talent Stream, your employer would have submitted a referral form from a designated partner. Keep copies of all filings and approvals for your records.

For eligibility criteria and selection factors, refer to the Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) program guidance from IRCC.

How this work permit fits into PR planning

Your Global Talent Stream approval starts with Form IMM 1295 and supporting employer documents.

That application establishes:

You must maintain valid status while preparing your PR application.

Keep copies of your job offer, referral documentation (if applicable), employer compliance records, and proof that you worked under the approved conditions.

IRCC evaluates permanent residence separately from your work permit. Your work authorization doesn’t turn into PR automatically.

You have to file a complete PR application and meet the program requirements in effect at the time you apply.

You must apply to extend your Work Permit (Employer-Specific) before it expires. Renewal depends on whether your job stays LMIA-based or becomes LMIA-exempt under the Global Talent Stream.

When to re-file

You can’t keep working under the Global Talent Stream if your permit expires. Submit a new application to IRCC before the expiry date on your current permit.

Renewal requires you to confirm whether your job still needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

• If your role is LMIA-based, your employer must hold a valid positive LMIA issued through the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
• If your role is LMIA-exempt, your employer must maintain compliance and provide the required exemption details.

If you change employers, you must apply for a new LMIA-Based Work Permit or LMIA-exempt employer-specific permit. A Global Talent Stream work permit doesn’t transfer automatically to a new company.

If you plan to apply for Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) for permanent residence, you must still keep valid temporary status until IRCC approves your permanent application.

Documentation for extensions

Submit a complete application to IRCC, typically using Form IMM 1295 for a work permit made from outside Canada. Follow the form instructions from IRCC for your situation.

Include documents based on your job category:

Your employment contract or job offer should clearly state:

• Job title
• National Occupation Classification (NOC) code
• Description of duties
• Terms of employment

You’ll need to pay the required processing fees in CAD (CA$). Check the IRCC fee schedule for current amounts.

Biometrics and fee repeats

IRCC may ask you to provide biometrics again, depending on your prior submissions and validity period. If biometrics are required, you must pay the fee and complete the appointment as instructed.

You must also pay applicable work permit processing fees with each new application. Fees don’t carry over from your previous permit.

At the port of entry, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may ask for proof of eligibility. Bring:

• Your valid job offer or contract
• The LMIA decision letter (if applicable)
• LMIA exemption details (if applicable)

CBSA determines admissibility at the border. IRCC processes and approves your permit application.

Most refusals or delays come from missing documents, errors in the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP), or mistakes with fees or biometrics. Align your LMIA, work permit, and supporting records from the start to avoid setbacks with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Documentation gaps

Incomplete documentation is a frequent reason for delay or refusal under the Global Talent Stream. Every section of the LMIA application and the LMIA-Based Work Permit package must be filled out fully.

For first-time Global Talent Stream applicants, Section 9 (Labour Market Benefits Plan) must be complete. The main or alternate employer contact needs to review and sign the LMBP before submitting. Missing signatures can cause refusals.

You also need:

• Employer registration certificate copy, if your province asks for it
• Proof of exemption, if claiming one
• Simultaneous submission to MIFI for Quebec positions
• Written notice to Service Canada if a temporary foreign worker is using an IRCC temporary public policy

If you apply for a Work Permit (Employer-Specific), make sure Form Form IMM 1295 matches the approved LMIA. Differences between the LMIA and work permit application often trigger extra review.

LMBP and wage compliance issues

The Labour Market Benefits Plan is a binding commitment. Service Canada checks whether you follow through on what you promised in your LMBP.

Not meeting those commitments affects your ability to get future LMIAs or support more foreign workers.

Wage and recruitment rules matter, too. If you charge recruitment fees to a temporary foreign worker, Service Canada can issue a negative LMIA decision. That stops the worker from getting an employer-specific work permit through IRCC.

Keep clear internal records showing:

• Your LMBP commitments were implemented
• No recruitment fees were charged
• The approved LMIA terms were followed

Non-compliance can impact future filings, including when a worker later applies for permanent residence through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker).

Payment and biometrics errors

IRCC rejects work permit applications if you don’t pay the processing fee. Confirm the correct fee amount using the IRCC fee tool before you submit.

If you don’t provide biometrics when required, processing stops. IRCC won’t finalize the application until biometrics are done.

Common mistakes include:

1. Sending IMM 1295 without proof of payment

2. Leaving out biometrics when required

3. Assuming payment will be requested later

If IRCC rejects your application for non-payment, you’ll have to reapply. That can delay entry to Canada even if your LMIA is still valid.

You need to create a detailed Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP) before IRCC will approve your Global Talent Stream application. The plan sets measurable commitments that IRCC will monitor during and after your worker receives an LMIA‑Based Work Permit.

What to include in the LMBP

Your LMBP should have specific, time‑bound commitments that benefit Canada’s labour market. Vague goals or general hiring statements aren’t accepted.

Include:

• Clear job creation targets (how many Canadian citizens or permanent residents you’ll hire and when)
• Skills and training commitments (training programs, mentorship, knowledge transfer from the foreign worker)
• Investment details tied to workforce development
• Timelines and measurable outcomes

Lay out commitments in a structured way. Use numeric targets, not rough estimates.

Your plan should fit your business operations. If the foreign national later applies for permanent residence through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), your documented compliance can support the job offer’s credibility.

Keep commitments realistic. IRCC will check performance against what you promise.

Signatures, submission and compliance

An authorized company representative must sign the LMBP. Signing means you agree to meet each commitment within the stated timeframe.

Submit the LMBP as part of your Global Talent Stream process, linked to the LMIA supporting the Work Permit (Employer-Specific). IRCC and related authorities may review your compliance while the work permit is valid.

If the foreign worker applies from outside Canada, they’ll file Form Form IMM 1295 and pay:

IRCC aims to process Global Skills Strategy applications within 2 weeks after receiving a complete application. Processing time starts when IRCC gets the full application and ends with a decision.

Keep detailed records—payroll data, training logs, and hiring documentation—in case there’s a review.

Consequences of failing commitments

IRCC treats the LMBP as a binding agreement. If you don’t meet your commitments without a valid reason, you face compliance action.

Consequences include:

• Negative compliance findings
• Restrictions on future LMIA applications
• Refusal of future Global Talent Stream requests
• Increased scrutiny of future Work Permit (Employer-Specific) filings

Non‑compliance can also affect related immigration steps. If your employee later applies for permanent residence, inconsistencies between your LMBP and actual employment conditions may create credibility issues.

Set achievable targets, track progress monthly, and document every fulfilled commitment to reduce risk.