
The situation
Canada’s newly released proposed 2019 budget includes an investment of CAD 7.4 million per year over a five-year period to make the Global Talent Stream pilot program permanent.
Impact
The Global Talent Stream program facilitates the entry of highly-skilled foreign nationals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics related professions through (1) a streamlined Labour Market Impact Assessment process and (2) enabling employers who have obtained a Labour Market Impact Assessment through the Global Talent stream program to apply for expedited two-week work permit processing for approved workers.
Background
The Global Talent Stream Pilot Program was introduced as a two-year pilot program in June, 2017.
Looking ahead
The Canadian parliament is expected to vote to approve the budget shortly. Following the budget’s passage, the Canadian government is expected to release further permanent program instructions and Fragomen will provide updates as they become available. The creation of a permanent program for highly-skilled workers is aligned with the government’s objective of seeking highly talented immigrants to address skills shortages in Canada.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
