Tech talent is high in demand, with more jobs available than candidates. 

As a response to the tech talent shortage, the Canadian government has made investments into workforce development and updated a number of programs to keep up with its tech sector growth.

Employers have been taking advantage of this, and more tech companies are looking to alternate ways to hire, beyond the limits of their geography.

VanHack has helped with hiring placements and relocation of over 800+ global tech talent to various Canadian cities, to start building their new lives in Canada.

Having worked with hundreds of tech employers relocating global tech talent to Canada, VanHack’s hiring experts and immigration consultants have rounded up a few frequently asked questions, and tips around hiring and relocating talent from abroad through the various Canadian government programs and pathways available.

Here is a quick primer on the Global Talent Stream Program, and how to start hiring and relocating tech talent:

🇨🇦 Q1: What is the Global Talent Stream (GTS)?

As part of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy and the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, the Global Talent Stream is a Temporary Foreign Workers and Immigration program designed to support fast-growing Canadian companies to stay and grow in Canada. 

• For employers, GTS helps Canadian employers remain competitive in the global market, and fast-tracks hiring skilled foreign workers to fill labor market needs.

• For candidates, GTS is considered one of the fastest immigration pathways for eligible workers looking to seek a new life in Canada.

⌛ Q2: How much time does application processing take?

From the 1000+ applications processed, VanHack’s global mobility team and immigration consultants have found the process to prepare, submit, and process  takes between 3-5 months. 

As a quick overview, the GTS Application involves:

1. Document preparation: 1-2 Weeks

2. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Approval: 2 Weeks

3. Work Permit Approval:  2-4 Months

From application to hire to relocation, the full process includes submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and Labour Market Benefits Plan (Commitment to benefits and positive impact to Canada), and conducting Annual Progress Reviews (once hired and relocated).

🤔 Q3: So what exactly is an LMIA?

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that confirms the need for a foreign temporary worker, and there is no Canadian or permanent resident available to fill the position.

Once an LMIA is approved by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the hired candidate/temporary foreign worker can apply for a work permit with the provided LMIA Number.

As of April 2022, the Canadian government has extended the LMIA now valid for 18 months (previously 9 months). 

In turn, work permits have increased to 3 years (previously 2 years), which will enable workers to qualify for more pathways to permanent residency as a result of this extension. Read on for more here.

✔️ Q4: Which category and positions are eligible?

There are two categories under the Global Talent Stream:

Category A

Requirements: 

• Referral from a designated partner

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of specialized experience

• Possess advanced knowledge of the industry, or an advanced degree

• At least $80,0000 base salary.

Category B

Requirements:

• Experienced software developer with experience and room for growth

• Highly skilled in-demand occupations found on the National Occupation Classifications (NOC) List See the full list of Global Talent Eligible Occupation List here.

In many cases, most employers with open tech roles would likely fall under and meet the requirements for Category B of the Global Talent Stream.

✈️ Q5: All applications and documents have been processed, how long will it take for talent to touch down in Canada?

Work permits can take anywhere between 2- 4 months to process. Once processed, employers can start relocating talent. As the country is transitioning towards pandemic recovery, keep in mind that there may be changes with projected timelines even shortening.

In a competitive market, employers looking to keep new hires engaged and onboarded fast during the relocation period should start their new hire as a remote contractor.

🛣️ How long are work permits valid, and what is the pathway to permanent residency?

Work Permits allow temporary foreign workers to spend up to 3 years in Canada or the length of the candidate’s passport validity (if less than 3 years).

Following this, foreign workers have the opportunity to apply to the Express Entry Program, a pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency.

🌎 Hire from anywhere with VanHack

Vanhack is an extension of your HR department, and helps tech startups and scaleup source quality software developers from across the globe.

With a diverse tech talent pool of over 370K+ tech talent, our experienced hiring and immigration experts do the heavy lifting — sourcing, vetting, verifying English certifications and skill matching. 

Our team provides expert guidance, resources, and requirement checklists for both employers and candidates to review for a seamless hiring and relocation process.

Are you a Canadian employer looking to hire and relocate global tech? 

Discover how you can benefit from the Global Talent Stream. Connect with our Vanhack hiring experts and immigration consultants to learn more and start your hiring and relocation process.