Canada's Global Talent Stream (GTS) Visa

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is an official fast-track mechanism to obtain a work permit for talent in technology and other shortage sectors.

Canada is a top destination for highly skilled professionals due to its quality of life and career opportunities. GTS helps Canadian companies and foreign professionals connect quickly. Work permits can be issued in about two weeks instead of months — making GTS one of the most popular routes for in-demand professionals seeking to work in Canada.

GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and was launched under the Global Skills Strategy.

It is employer-driven: foreign workers cannot apply on their own. A Canadian employer must make a job offer and apply for a simplified LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) under GTS, and prepare a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

GTS has two categories:

• Category A — for innovative, rapidly growing companies needing uniquely specialized talent.

Employers require a referral from a designated partner (e.g., a business incubator or the Trade Commissioner Service). The foreign worker must have unique specialized skills and be offered a high-paying role (often CAD 80,000+ per year).

• Category B — for roles on the official Global Talent Occupations List where Canada faces labor shortages (e.g., software developers, engineers, data analysts, IT roles).

No referral letter is needed, but the position must be on the list and the wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage or a set minimum for the occupation.

Both categories require the employer to prove legitimacy and comply with GTS conditions.

A key advantage is the lack of a lengthy domestic recruitment requirement: companies may invite foreign specialists without the usual extended labor market test. Once the GTS application is approved, ESDC typically issues a positive LMIA in ~10 business days, and IRCC targets ~2-week processing for the work permit — making the total timeline only a matter of weeks when requirements are met.

• Express processing (minimal timelines)

Target processing for complete applications is about two weeks for work permits, versus months via standard routes.

• High-paying, in-demand roles

GTS focuses on shortage occupations, especially in tech and engineering. Employers must offer competitive pay at or above prevailing wage (Category A salaries often start around CAD 80,000+).

• Simplified procedure, less bureaucracy

Compared with standard LMIA, GTS removes the prolonged mandatory recruitment stage and provides priority support to employers.

• Family-friendly pathway

Spouses typically qualify for an open work permit; children may obtain study permits. Family applications are processed alongside the principal’s case.

• Prospects for permanent residence

GTS is a temporary work pathway, but Canadian work experience gained can lead to PR via Express Entry (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Programs. Work permits are often issued for up to two years with possible extensions.