On April 15, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a new program called the Innovation Stream Pilot. This program, part of the Global Hypergrowth Project, will run for two years.
This new Innovation Stream Pilot aims to bring highly skilled foreign workers to Canadian companies for two years, until March 22, 2026.
The main idea behind this pilot is to let certain Canadian companies hire skilled foreign workers without going through the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) process. Jobs categorized under NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3 are considered high-skilled.
Moreover, the family members of these foreign workers can also get a special work permit, allowing them to work for almost any employer in Canada.
This Innovation Stream will run until March 22, 2026, unless there are any changes made to it.
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Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)
The Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) is a new service from the Canadian government designed to help Canadian-based businesses grow faster.
Through the collective resources of its government partners, this project offers tailored support to meet the unique needs of each participating company. It provides solutions that are as distinct as the companies themselves.
Canada Tech Strategy
On June 27, 2023, the Immigration Minister introduced the Canada Tech Strategy. As part of this strategy, a new innovation stream pilot was proposed to attract talented workers to contribute to building innovative businesses.
Who Can Apply for the Innovation Stream Pilot?
To apply for a work permit under the Innovation Stream Pilot, foreign nationals, whether inside or outside Canada, must have a job offer from one of the eligible employers under the Global Hypergrowth Project.
Applicants are required to fill out their work permit application using the IRCC Secure Account.
The job offer should correspond to a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation as per the National Occupational Classification.
The offered wages must meet or exceed the median hourly wages set for the region. If the position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, the wage offered must also comply with the standards outlined in that agreement.
Additionally, the job offer should mention that the employer will review wages on the first day of work and annually by January 1 to ensure they remain competitive throughout employment.
Immigration officers will assess if applicants have the skills required for the job they are applying for, considering their education and experience as specified in the National Occupational Classification.
List of Companies Eligible to Hire Through Innovation Stream
Currently, there are eight companies eligible to hire foreign nationals (whether inside or outside Canada) without requiring an LMIA through the Innovation Stream Pilot:
- Ada Support Inc.
- AlayaCare
- CellCarta
- Clarius Mobile Health
- Clio
- Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG)
- Lightspeed Commerce
- Vive Crop Protection
What is an Employer-Specific Work Permit?
An employer-specific work permit in Canada allows you to work based on the terms specified on your permit. These terms include details such as:
- the name of the specific employer you can work for
- how long you can work
- the location where you can work (if applicable)
Before you apply:
Before you send in your application for the work permit, your employer needs to:
- Send in a job offer
- Pay a $230 fee for employer compliance
- Give you a number for the job offer
Faster processing:
If your job falls under categories 0 or 1 in the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), you might get your application processed quicker.
