CanadaFaster processing

Faster Canadian work permits: Global Talent Stream and GSS

Global Talent Stream and Global Skills Strategy (2-week processing)

In short

Canada has no paid priority service, but two official programs speed up skilled hiring. Under the Global Talent Stream, employers get an LMIA decision in 10 business days 80% of the time; under the Global Skills Strategy, IRCC aims to process eligible work permit applications made online from outside Canada in 2 weeks.

Apply on IRCC – Global Skills Strategy: get faster processing checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Fee
CA$1,000Employer’s LMIA processing fee per position (GTS), plus the worker’s CAD 155 work permit fee and CAD 85 biometrics
Processing time
GTS LMIA: 10 business days (80% of the time); GSS work permits: 2-week target
Work
Employer-specific work permit for the approved job
Family
Accompanying family members’ applications are also processed faster
Where to apply
Online from outside Canada (paper and in-Canada applications are excluded)

Global Talent Stream for employers

The Global Talent Stream is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program run by Employment and Social Development Canada. Category A is for innovative firms referred by a designated referral partner that need unique and specialized talent; Category B is for highly skilled occupations on the global talent occupations list, such as engineers, analysts and computer programmers. Employers must prepare a Labour Market Benefits Plan, pay a CAD 1,000 processing fee per position (which cannot be recovered from the worker), and can expect an LMIA decision within 10 business days 80% of the time.

Global Skills Strategy for workers

IRCC aims to process eligible, complete Global Skills Strategy work permit applications within 2 weeks. Eligible are highly skilled LMIA-exempt workers in TEER 0 or 1 jobs and LMIA-required workers hired through the Global Talent Stream, plus accompanying family members applying for visitor visas, work permits or study permits. You must apply online from outside Canada and give biometrics within 2 weeks of the instruction letter. Open work permits, IEC permits, paper and incomplete applications are excluded.

What does not exist

IRCC’s fee list includes no paid priority or premium processing fee for visitor visas, study permits or permanent residence. Be cautious of anyone offering to speed up an application for payment.

How to apply, step by step

  1. The Canadian employer checks whether the job fits GTS Category A (with a referral) or Category B (global talent occupations list), or is LMIA-exempt in TEER 0 or 1.
  2. For GTS, the employer submits the LMIA online with the Labour Market Benefits Plan and the CAD 1,000 fee.
  3. With the positive LMIA or LMIA-exempt job offer, apply online from outside Canada for the work permit (CAD 155).
  4. Give biometrics at a visa application centre within 2 weeks of the instruction letter to keep 2-week processing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay IRCC for faster processing?

No paid priority service appears in IRCC’s fee list. The Global Skills Strategy offers 2-week processing at no extra cost to eligible applicants.

Does the Global Skills Strategy apply to open work permits?

No. Open work permits and IEC permits are not eligible for 2-week processing.

Who pays the CAD 1,000 LMIA fee?

The employer; it cannot be paid by or recovered from the worker.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Canada

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Usually up to 6 months per entry, as decided by the border officer
  • Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 5 years per entry (applications from 22 June 2023); 2-year extensions possible in Canada
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: Up to 48 hours in transit

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Usually up to 6 months per entry, as decided by the border officer
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Validity: Optional open work permit of up to 3 years, closed to new applicants since 19 December 2025; holders in Canada may extend
  • Self-employed and freelancer visa Processing time: More than 10 years for applications made after July 2022, according to IRCC’s tool cited in its 2026 evaluation

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Length of the program plus 90 days

Work

  • Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: As stated on the permit, linked to the job offer and LMIA
  • Work visa Maximum stay: Depends on the basis; PGWP up to 3 years
  • Working holiday visa Validity: Port of entry letter valid 1 year; the permit cannot outlast the passport, biometrics or health insurance

Family

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

Canada visa guide