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~10 days
ESDC LMIA target (business days)
~2 weeks
IRCC work permit target
$1,000
LMIA fee
2 cats
Category A & B
| Feature | Global Talent Stream (GTS) | Standard LMIA |
|---|---|---|
| ESDC fee | $1,000 per position | $1,000 per position |
| Processing time | ~10 business days (ESDC target) | 8-20 weeks |
| Work permit processing | ~2 weeks (IRCC target) | Standard: 2-8 weeks |
| Job Bank advertising | Required | Required (minimum 4 weeks) |
| Labour Market Benefits Plan | Required | Required (high-wage positions) |
| Annual LMBP reporting | Required | Not required for most |
| Eligible positions | Cat A: unique talent; Cat B: in-demand list only | Most occupations |
| Partner referral needed | Cat A only | No |
| Wage floor | Prevailing wage (typically $38.46/hr+) | Median wage for occupation |
Every GTS application is either Category A (designated partner referral) or Category B (in-demand occupation list). The key difference is the source of the fast-track eligibility.
Your company has been referred by an ESDC-designated GTS partner organization. The partner issues a formal referral letter that you include in your LMIA application. The position does not need to be on the in-demand list.
Companies with VC funding or existing relationships with innovation agencies. Positions that are hard to match exactly to in-demand list NOCs.
Your position must exactly match an occupation on ESDC's GTS in-demand occupations list. No referral needed - any employer can apply as long as the role qualifies and the wage floor is met.
The in-demand occupations list is updated periodically by ESDC. A position that was on the list last year may have been removed. VMC verifies current NOC eligibility before submission.
Any employer hiring in clearly defined tech roles on the ESDC list - especially software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity positions.
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | Common Roles |
|---|---|---|
| 20012 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Senior tech leadership |
| 21232 | Software Engineers and Designers | Most common GTS role |
| 21311 | Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers) | Hardware + embedded systems |
| 21211 | Data Scientists | ML/AI/analytics roles |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity Specialists | Security architects, analysts |
| 21223 | Database Administrators and Data Administrators | DBA, data engineers |
| 21234 | Web Designers and Developers | Frontend, full-stack |
| 21221 | Business Systems Specialists | Enterprise architecture, ERP |
| 21222 | Information Systems Analysts | Business analysts, systems analysts |
| 21230 | Computer and Information Systems Professionals n.e.c. | Other IT specialist roles |
The in-demand occupations list is maintained by Employment and Social Development Canada and changes from time to time - occupations are added or removed based on labour market conditions. VMC verifies the current list against your specific NOC before preparing any GTS application. Do not assume a position is eligible based on older information.
VMC prepares complete GTS applications - Category A, Category B, and Labour Market Benefits Plan - and supports the work permit through to approval. Book a free employer consultation to confirm your eligibility.
Employer contacts designated partner (Cat A) or confirms position on in-demand list (Cat B). Gathers job description, wage evidence, and corporate documents. VMC prepares LMBP.
Employer submits complete GTS LMIA application including: job description, wage evidence, referral letter (Cat A), proof of NOC eligibility (Cat B), Labour Market Benefits Plan, and all supporting documents.
ESDC reviews the application. Service standard: 10 business days for a complete, error-free application. If additional information is requested, this clock resets. A positive LMIA is issued.
Worker submits work permit application to IRCC with the positive LMIA number, passport, supporting documents, and fees. Can apply at a port of entry (flagpole) or pre-clearance in the US for faster results.
IRCC aims to process GTS-associated work permit applications within 2 weeks (met about 80% of the time). Once approved, the worker is authorized to work in Canada.
For US-based or US-citizen candidates with a positive GTS LMIA, applying for the work permit at a Canadian port of entry or US pre-clearance can result in same-day work authorization - without waiting for a visa office to process a paper application.
ESDC scores LMBP quality during the GTS LMIA review. A strong LMBP:
Failing to meet LMBP commitments or failing to file annual reports can result in:
A complete GTS application requires careful preparation of multiple components. Here is the full process from eligibility assessment to work permit issuance.
GTS workers gain Canadian work experience in skilled tech occupations. After 12 months of full-time skilled work in Canada (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), they qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream in Express Entry - one of the highest-scoring Express Entry streams.
Many GTS workers in software engineering and data science occupations score well in Express Entry category-based draws targeting STEM occupations. VMC advises GTS workers on their PR pathway from day one of their Canadian employment.
Still have questions? Our licensed RCICs answer within 24 hours.
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