What is the Global Skills Strategy Program?
Global Skills Strategy Program is a new work stream established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is designed to help employers find top skilled talent to work for their company and provide a predictable process and a 2-week processing time. Essentially, the program features faster application processing times, work permit exemptions and enhanced customer service.
Requirements for the Global Skills Strategy Program
There are two ways a worker can enter the Global Skills Strategy Program:
1. Exemption from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
An LMIA exempt worker meets the following requirements:
- Apply online from outside Canada.
- Their job skill type is 0 (managerial) or skill level A (professional) of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- An employer offer exists within the Employer Portal and paid the employer compliance fee.
2. Workers who requiring an LMIA
A worker who requires an LMIA must meet the following requirements:
- Worker applies from outside Canada.
- The employer has acquired a positive LMIA for an employer-specific job through the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Benefits of the Global Skills Strategy Program
The benefits of the Global Skills Strategy Program are:
- The Citizenship and Immigration Canada service standard is to process 80% of complete applications within two weeks.
- Granting highly-skilled workers work permit exemptions on short-term work assignments.
- Companies wanting to create large job-creating investments in Canada will be given a dedicated service channel.
- Spouses and dependents of the worker are also covered. The worker can include their application for the two-weeks processing at the same time.
Restrictions of the Global Skills Strategy Program
These restrictions apply:
- International Experience Canada applicants are not eligible for the Global Skills Strategy Program 2-week processing.
Exemptions to the Global Skills Strategy Program
The exemption exists for one of the methods of eligibility under the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption (see “Requirements for the Global Skills Strategy Program” above).
What can Firebird Consultants do for your application to the Global Skills Strategy Program?
Firebird Consultants will help you with the initial assessment, application preparation and correspondence on your behalf with the federal and/or provincial government until the final decision is made on your application through the Global Skills Strategy Program.
If you are looking for a Russian speaking immigration consultant in Vernon, Kelowna, Okanagan, or in Canada to provide immigration support – please contact us for a free assessment.