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It’s well known that you can use LMIA exempt and even LMIA programs to issue yourself or your client a job offer from a business inside Canada. This can include ICT, C10, C11, issuing an LMIA from your own operational business, or even a Startup Visa job offer for the work permit option.
But did you know that in specific cases, it is possible to issue a job offer to yourself using the Global Talent Stream (GTS) for a highly skilled and unique position? Claim 200 points or a fast-track work permit to Canada or both - all with a Startup operation under this program.
There are 2 streams under the Global Talent Stream.
Stream B applies when any operational employer applies to hire a highly skilled foreign worker in specific occupations.
Stream A is the GTS stream that applies to what we’re outlining in this article.
Global Talent Stream A is not occupation-restricted and requires a local referral partner. Each province and region has local referral partners who can approve and refer a local business to Service Canada to be able to apply for the GTS stream. These referral partners can be government organizations, non-profits, and so forth.
To create a job offer and be approved for Stream A for a new startup in Canada, there are 2 stages:
1) Set up the entity and pitch to the referral partner (this is the most difficult part).
2) Apply to Service Canada for final approval (this is significantly less challenging).
We’ll outline the steps and key points for both stages. You or your client may be eligible for PR on arrival through this program if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through the Global Talent Stream and you’re looking for guidance and support, you’re in the right place! Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
It’s important to understand why anyone would use this method or program instead of the typical LMIA or LMIA-exempt streams.
1: A company would use this instead of the Intra-Company Transfer program to set up an entity in Canada because the overseas entity or person would not have majority control over the Canadian entity or the equity relationship to qualify for ICT.
2: As an alternative to C10 or a combination of both programs, you can apply for a C10 LMIA exempt self-employed or entrepreneur work permit. After running your business for 1 year, you can apply under the Global Talent Stream with your T2’s and proof of financials to obtain your 200 points NOC position - even if you don’t have the typical NOC 200 company structure.
3: Instead of doing an executive LMIA through a purchase of a business or startup, the Global Talent Stream allows you to obtain the executive or high-level NOC code without having a large business or going through a slow LMIA process.
4: Under LMIA exempt streams such as ICT, C10, C11, and even SUV work permits, you or your client cannot claim the 200 points as an executive unless you structure and run payroll under the company for a minimum of 12 months. However, under the GTS- A stream you can obtain the highly skilled NOC position upfront without running payroll initially. This is a faster solution for eligible businesses and entrepreneurs. Not everyone can be eligible for this, but for those who do, it can save them a lot of time.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through the Global Talent Stream and you’re looking for guidance and support, you’re in the right place! Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
* You shouldn’t write a business plan for this stream. They won’t read it.
* The startup business must be innovative – either something that didn’t exist before or a unique upgrade/expansion of an existing Canadian business.
* You must prove that you can’t find the unique talent/skills inside Canada for which you are hiring yourself or issuing the offer of employment.
* The company should create job opportunities for Canadians.
* The business should have complimentary labour market benefits to commit to Service Canada including a transition plan to transfer/train skills.
The Startup should have at the very least already completed these milestones:
1: Company Incorporation in Canada
2: CRA business number
3: CRA payroll number
4: Service Canada Job bank account
5: Canadian Bank account – funded with a minimum of $250K
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through the Global Talent Stream and you’re looking for guidance and support, you’re in the right place! Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
When you approach the referral partner, you need to have this information ready. Sometimes you may have to prepare the summary and others may simply have you fill out an intake form. Having this information prepared will give you the highest chance of success.
Include a referral submission with headers covering these topics:
* Background of the company
* Details of the projected growth
* Outline of the upscaling plans
* Description of the innovation of the business? This is very important. It really needs to be innovative and unique - not already available in Canada
* Analysis of the impact inside Canada/region for this new business (a light preview of the Labour Market Benefit Plan – (LMBP)
* Description of the position for the job offer being issued.
* Explanation of the need for the position
* Describe the unique skill of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) and how they will fill this position.
* Provide a document, signed by a CPA, demonstrating the financial viability for the startup projects (based on new startup financing and project, financial forecast, etc.)
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through the Global Talent Stream and you’re looking for guidance and support, you’re in the right place! Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
After the referral partner approves your Startup, you will be referred to Service Canada - this can be a 1-2 week process.
At this stage, you’ll need to complete their application forms. The core focus of the approval is based on the Labour Market Benefit Plan (LMBP) which you will pitch for your business or your client’s business. These usually require plans to hire Canadians, transfer of skills, training of Canadians, and more benefits for the development of Canadian staff.
Service Canada can take approx. 2 weeks to issue a decision for your application, after which you can apply for the work permit of the person for whom you are issuing the job offer. There is no employer compliance fee since an LMIA # will be issued with your approval from Service Canada. The NOC code can be highly skilled positions including executive levels – which can also lead to 200 points in Express Entry that can help your client receive PR on arrival if they meet the eligibility criteria for the FSW Express Entry stream.
We’ve provided you with a high-level overview of how you can apply under the Startup category of the Global Talent Stream A. It’s not for everyone and only serious entrepreneurs should apply. If you or your client don’t meet the Startup criteria, consider the Federal Startup Visa Program, the Provincial Startup Visa program, or even ICT as potential alternatives that are slower but have more relaxed eligibility criteria. But if you’ve read through this and you think this might be the perfect route for you – keep this article as a reference to get started!
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If you’re ready to apply and would like a 1-on-1 session with one of our immigration team members at INGWE, you can also book a session directly using this consultation link.
