Global Talent Stream (GTS): Benefits, Eligibility, Minimum Salary, and Jobs

Are you a highly skilled professional seeking a work permit in Canada? Global Talent Stream is the best pathway for you. Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a specialised program designed to help employers in Canada swiftly hire highly skilled foreign workers. This program is part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and offers numerous benefits, including expedited processing times and a pathway to permanent residency in Canada. In this blog, we have covered everything you need to know about this work permit.

What is a Global Talent Stream or GTS?

The Global Talent Stream is a part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The main purpose of this program is to assist innovative and high-growth Canadian companies in accessing specialised talent. A Global Talent Stream is a work permit and is therefore applied for by your employer. It is divided into 2 categories:

1. Category A: This category is meant for innovative and high-growth companies referred by a designated partner organisation. To come under this category, a worker must have highly specialised skills and must have advanced knowledge of the industry. You need at least 5 years of work experience in the relevant field.
2. Category B: This category is for employers to hire for roles that are highly in demand in Canada. There must be a known shortage for the work. If you are looking for employment under this category, you must have obtained an offer letter for a job under the ‘Global Talent Occupations List’. 

5 Benefits Under the Global Talent Stream (GTS)

The GTS, the Canadian immigration program, offers several benefits. Those who obtain a work permit under this program can access the following:

1. You can expect expedited processing of your work permit: Work permit applications often take months to process. However, under this program, you will get your work permit in 2 weeks or less!
2. Obtain a competitive salary: The program requires that your employer pay you a wage that is either equivalent to or above the prevailing market rate. Hence, you can be assured that you are paid well.
3. Bring your family to Canada: You will be able to bring your family to Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner is often eligible to apply for an open work permit. Moreover, your dependent children can also work in Canada. Hence, you can easily relocate with your family.
4. It is a pathway to Permanent Residency: Although under the GTS, you will obtain a temporary work permit, it is a step towards PR. Obtaining work experience in Canada means that you can easily obtain points under the Express Entry system. The skills and experience you obtain can also make you competitive for programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These are pathways for PR in Canada.
5. No requirement for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Advertising: Usually, employers have to advertise their job opening to Canadians first, and only if it is not filled, a foreigner can be hired. Under this program, employers do not have to do this. This means if you are qualified, you can be directly hired.

Also Read: How to Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria?

Eligibility Criteria for Global Talent Visa (GTS) Canada

The employer applies for the GTS. You do not have to apply for it. As a potential worker, what you can do is to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The requirements are provided below:

1. You must have obtained an offer letter from a recognised employer in Canada 
2. Your employer must meet the criteria for Category A or Category B. 
3. Ensure that you possess the education, work experience, and skills required for the specific jobs.

For example, if you get a job offer from an employer who is hiring for a position under the Global Talent Occupations List, you qualify for Category B.

Another example can be you get hired by a quantum computing startup that is hiring for a specialised role  (eg, Quantum Computing Engineer). Supposedly, this job cannot be filled by anyone else in Canada to help the company expand globally.. Moreover, the startup is referred to the program by an official partner to bring in this unique talent. Under these circumstances, if you are hired, you qualify for a work permit.

Global Talent Stream Application Form Filling 

As mentioned earlier, the GTS application is filled in by the employer! They can apply through the LMIA Online. Thereafter, applications can be submitted to Service Canada. To apply, an employer can:

1. Sign in to their account on LMIA Online by using the same login credentials for Job Bank for the employer’s account
2. Thereafter, they can fill out the application from the employer’s dashboard 
3. Upload the necessary documents. For example, under category A, an employer would need to upload the referral forms.
4. Pay the processing fee, and apply.

Role of the Employee During the Application Process

The employer starts the application process. However, you also have a responsibility. These responsibilities are provided below:

1. You need to provide all necessary documents. The employer will ask you to provide the documents required, like proof of your qualifications, during the LMIA online form filling. Provide the required information to the employer.
2. Get a Positive LMIA Letter: Once Service Canada approves your application, a positive LMIA letter will be issued to the employer. The employer will send you the same, and will provide you with your employment contract. Keep these documents safe.
3. Submit your work permit application: The last step is totally on you. You need to use your employment contact and LMIA letter copy to apply for your work permit. This can be done through the IRCC portal. This needs to be done by you.

What is the Minimum Salary Required Under the Global Talent Stream?

The salary required under the GTS depends on your occupation. Generally, your employer has to pay you the minimum salary requirement for the role, or the prevailing wage for the role (whichever is higher). The minimum salary requirement is explained in the table below:

S. No.	Requirement	Amount (CAD)
1	Annual minimum salary	80,000  per year
2	Hourly minimum salary	38.46 per  hour

How Long Does It Take to Get a GTS Visa in Canada?

The average processing time for the Global Talent Stream (GTS) is 2 weeks. At times, it can take up to 4 weeks. The processing stages include: the employer‘s application for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (as per law, this has to be done within 2 weeks), and the foreign worker application (you can enter your details and apply for a work permit). The time period is 2 weeks. The sooner you do that, the earlier you will obtain your work permit.

S. No.	GTS Processing Steps	Target Processing Time
1	LMIA Processing ( Employer applies for Labour Market Impact Assessment under GTS)	10 business days (≈ 2 weeks)
2	Work Permit Processing (Foreign worker applies after LMIA approval)	2 weeks
3	Total Estimated Time	2–4 weeks

To learn more about the Global Talent Stream, watch this video:

Global Talent Stream Jobs List (Category B)

The global talent occupations list for Category B can be viewed by visiting the Government of Canada’s official website. Those applying under this category need to be paid at least the minimum wage for the position. The following are jobs listed under the occupation list.

1. Computer and information systems managers
2. Civil engineers
3. Electrical and electronics engineers
4. Mining engineers
5. Aerospace engineers
6. Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
7. Mathematicians and statisticians (excluding actuaries/related occupations)
8. Information systems analysts and consultants
9. Database analysts and data administrators
10. Software engineers and designers
11. Computer programmers and interactive media developers
12. Web designers and developers
13. Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
14. Computer network technicians
15. Information systems testing technicians
16. Producer / technical / creative / artistic director & project manager – VFX & video games
17. Digital media designers

How To Find Companies Hiring For the Global Talent Stream?

The Canadian Government has not provided a specific list of companies that hire under the GTS. Hence, the onus falls on you. Here are some ways you can look for companies that hire under different categories.

Category A Companies

The Category A companies are not well-known. However, these MNCs are fast-growing and innovative companies. For example, innovative companies in AI, tech, clean energy, or biotechnology. You need to look for innovative Canadian companies or startups. For this, you can visit the pages of designated referral partners. For example,

1.  MaRS Discovery District
2. Communitech
3. Council of Canadian Innovators

These organisations often list companies they support. You can look for employment in such companies.

Category B Companies

Organisations hiring under the l Global Talent Occupations List are larger companies. Hence, it is easier to find them. Some of the popular companies hiring under these categories are:

1. Shopify
2. TELUS
3. Amazon
4. Google Canada
5. CGI
6. Stantec

Visit popular job sites like Job Bank and LinkedIn to find jobs in these companies. Otherwise, you can visit their career page.

Also Read: Top High Paying Jobs in Canada 2025

As an Indian citizen, you can apply for a work permit under the Global Talent Stream. For this, you need to obtain a job offer letter from a recognised employer who meets the Category A or B requirements. The application filing is started by the employer. If you are qualified, you can benefit from quick permit processing, obtain a competitive salary, bring your family to Canada, and eventually even become eligible for a PR in the country.

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We hope you now know all about the Global Talent Stream (GTS). Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!