Temporary Immigration in Canada – A new Global Skills Strategy

The Canadian government recently launched its new Global Skills Strategy (Strategy) to promote global investment in Canada and facilitate faster entry into Canada for top international talent. Initially announced in November 2016, this Strategy was developed after collaboration between various ministries to give Canadian employers a faster and more predictable process to attract global talent and individuals with specific skills to Canada.

In terms of international mobility, the Global Skills Strategy includes four important changes:

• Two new work permit exemptions for short-term work in Canada;
• Two-week work permit processing times for eligible high-skilled workers under the existing International Mobility Program;
• A dedicated service channel for employers bringing significant investment to Canada; and
  The creation of a Global Talent Stream for skilled occupations in shortage and for employers with unique talent needs.

New work permit exemptions

Two new work permit exemptions were implemented with the launch of the Global Skills Strategy.

The first is for highly skilled workers who enter Canada for very short-term assignments. This includes all individuals whose jobs are listed under the skill type 0 (executive, managerial) or A (professional) of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Eligible workers are now permitted one 15 consecutive day work permit-exempt stay in Canada every six months, OR one 30 consecutive day work permit-exempt stay every 12 months.

The second exemption applies to researchers taking part in short-duration research projects conducted in Canada. These researchers are now allowed one 120-day stay every 12 months without requiring a work permit when working on a research project at a publicly funded degree-granting institution or affiliated research institution.

Although these new exemptions are attractive, employers must be careful in using them as the foreign worker’s duration of stay in Canada cannot be extended.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Canada Launches New Global Skills Strategy – Employment and HR – Canada