Canada launches new employer-specific work permit exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment, offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), for high-skill foreign workers who will help fast-growing companies.
The program exists under the umbrella of the Global Hyper Growth Project (GHP), an organization that seeks out and supports high-growth Canadian companies. The program aims to reduce the hiring time for skilled workers, especially in technology-based positions by exempting some jobs from requiring a traditional Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA.)
The application process is primarily online and involves several key steps, including securing an offer of employment from a participating employer and fulfilling educational and experience requirements as outlined in the NOC.
Key Features of Canada launches new employer-specific work permit
- Employer-Specific: The permit limits employment only with the specified employer and specific work duration etc.
- Faster Processing: TEER 0 or TEER 1 applicants may be eligible for accelerated processing.
- Family Benefits: Open work permits for spouses / common-law partners / dependent children of permit holders (able to work with any employer in Canada).
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How to Apply for new employer-specific work permit
To apply for the Innovation Stream Work Permit, prospective employees must follow a structured process:
- The employer issues a job offer in an official form and pays CAD 230 for compliance.
- The applicant must be holding a job offer that is conformed by the GHP participated firm.
- Firstly, documents on education and relevant work experience in connection to the profile of job letter offer – All those are needed by applicants.
- Applicants can apply online with their personal information including nationality, language skills and family.
Global Hyper Growth Project
The GHP aims to encourage enterprise and economic development, being a Canada government strategic project. It also has a programme targeted to transform some Canadian technology companies into world players by providing them with specific supports. There are eight established companies identified for their innovation and trajectory — Ada Support Inc, AlayaCare and Lightspeed Commerce.
Objectives of the Global Hyper Growth Project
Job Creation: The GHP aspires to generate employment opportunities in Canada by enabling entry of skilled labour.
Support for Businesses: Specialized resources are available to help businesses scale appropriately.
Attracting Global Talent: Attracting skilled workers from all over the world can improve their competitive edge at international level by marking necessary changes to ease our immigration process.
Eligibility Criteria new employer-specific work permit
In order to be eligible for an employer-specific work permit under this stream, candidates must function as follows:
- A job offer from an employer that is part of the GHP.
- Have a job that is considered skilled employment (TEER 0,1)
- Meet the educational and experience requirements listed in NOC for their job.
- This also echoes a larger push in Canada to strengthen the tech talent pool with their launch of The Tech Talent Strategy in 2023.
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Implications for Employers and Workers
The work permit introduced is meaningful to both employers and expatriates. Employers are now able to tap into a much broader talent pool without the lengthy LMIA process. This could be of special benefit to the technology industry, which often struggles filling highly skilled positions domestically.
The program creates new opportunities in a burgeoning field of work for foreign workers. It gives them an opportunity to work for leading-edge companies, making use of their expertise and opening the door for family members to accompany them with open work permits.
How does the Innovation Stream impact the Canadian job market
1. Filling Skill Gaps
Addressing over 60% of Canadian businesses who have identified a pressing skills shortage as an obstacle to growth, the Innovation Stream is centred on fostering electronic information learning opportunities for skilled newcomers. For example, he said the government will remove the LMIA requirement for companies to hire skilled foreign workers so that they can more easily recruit who are among those needed in high-demand sectors of technology and health.
2. Streamlined Hiring Process
The Innovation Stream eliminates the lengthy delays of dealing with an LMIA, and allows employers to concentrate on recruiting top-talent instead of getting through red tape.
3. Increased Economic Competitiveness
Drawing in global talent increases Canada’s economic competitiveness. This also allows participating companies to innovate faster and become more competitive on a global basis.
4. Longer Work Permits
Under the Innovation Stream, 5-year work permits are granted to employers and employees. This period minimizes turnover, and thus enables companies to invest in employee training, which creates a more skilled workforce.
5. Support for Families
The initiative also eases the integration of foreign workers’ families by enabling spouses and dependent children to come as well, with an opportunity to apply for open work permits.
Fact check about new employer-specific work permit
As of April 15, 2024, Canada has introduced a new employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream. It’s a permit for foreign workers who are given job offers of high-skilled occupations by companies under the Global Hyper Growth Project, which allows such firms to skip typical labor market testing. It does not require the employer to undergo an LMIA process, and this can make it much faster than traditional permits. The work visa is for two years extendable till March 22, 2026. There are certain educational and experience requirements that an applicant must fulfill to be eligible, as detailed by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
