The Government of Canada has announced plans for a new streamlined temporary worker program, called the Global Talent Stream, scheduled for initial rollout in June 2017. The new program is part of a nationwide Global Skills Strategy that is aimed at increasing Canadian employers' access to highly-skilled foreign workers.

For eligible high-demand occupations, the new program will feature shorter processing times for work permit applications, and possible work permit exemptions for short-term (less than 30 days per year) highly-skilled workers and those on brief academic stays.

The Government of Canada will work with the governments of the provinces and territories, businesses and industry stakeholders to implement the new program.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
The Global Talent Stream should benefit eligible highly-skilled foreign workers and will allow employers to fill vacancies where local workers are not available.

Details of the various initiatives are not currently available. Fragomen will continue to monitor developments and advise once they are announced.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to canada@fragomen.com.

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