Global Talent Stream: Employers & Skilled Foreign Workers in the Field of Technology

The Global Talent Stream is an opportunity for Canadian employers and skilled global workers to increase innovation in the field of technology. This program is an efficient process which promotes expanding highly-skilled technological talent into the Canadian workforce. 

There are two avenues for individuals to be considered under the Global Talent Stream:

A) The Designated Partners who refer individuals with unique and specialized talent to the stream. (The list of Designated Partners can be found here) 

B) Employers who are seeking to hire highly-skilled individuals for a position found under the in-demand occupations list. (The Global Talent Occupations List can be found here and under Table 1. below)

Category B of this stream focuses on in-demand occupations in fields of technology where there is an insufficient domestic labour supply. This includes, but is not limited to, computer and software engineers, mathematicians, information systems analysts, computer programmers, web developers, computer technicians and digital media designers. 

Table 1. Global Talent Occupations List

National Occupations Classification (NOC)	Occupation
0213	Computer and information systems managers
2147	Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Sub-set of 2161*	Mathematicians and statisticians *Positions for actuaries or related occupations are excluded from this subset
2171	Information systems analysts and consultants
2172	Databse analysts and data administrators
2173	Software engineers and designers
2174	Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175	Web designers and developers
2281	Computer network technicians
2283	Information systems testing technicians
Sub-set of 5131*	Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager - visual effects and video game *Requires a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the field
Sub-set of 5241*	Digital media designers *Requires a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the field

A Canadian employer who is looking to fill a specialized position in one of these fields can apply to hire a skilled foreign national through this stream.The eligibility criteria for an employer under Category B is as follows: 

• They must be operating in Canada

• They must be focused on innovation

• They must be capable of scaling up their company

• They must demonstrate they have attempted to recruit a Canadian Permanent Resident or Citizen before offering employment to a foriegn worker

• They must commit to offering the foriegn worker a wage comparable to that of a Canadian Permanent Resident or Citizen in a similar position

• They must show Buisness Legitimacy (eg. Canadian business lisence, legal incorporation forms, tax documents, etc.) 

For an employer to begin the process of hiring a foriegn worker through the Global Talent Stream they must create a Labour Market Benefits Plan and application form (EMP5624), found here. This assists the Canadian government in tracking benefits to the workforce which come as a result of hiring a skilled foreign worker. 

The Labour Market Benefits Plan identifies how the employer will commit to expanding skills and training investments for the domestic workforce. In addition, the employer must also commit to a minimum of two differing benefits (eg. job creation, investment in skilled training, transfer of knowledge, increased company performance, etc.). To ensure that the employer is reaching the goals of their Labour Market Benefits Plan there will be Progress Reviews throughout the duration of the skilled workers employment. 

The application guide for the Global Talent Stream can be found here. This application can be submitted online via the Data Gateway Portal along with the $1,000 processing fee. The average processing time of this application is 13 business days. 

This is a promising opportunity for employers in the field of technology seeking to hire specialized technological workers. Due to efficient processing times and focus on technology this program promotes innovation within the Canadian workforce through specialized and skilled foreign workers.

Sources:

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada. (2020). Program requirements for the Global Talent Stream. Employment and Social Development Canada. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/global-talent/requirements.html#h5