Canada: New Innovation Stream Employer-Specific Work Permit Route Released

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released a new employer-specific work permit route under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Program. This work permit route is intended for foreign nationals who have received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in Canada’s Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). There are currently eight companies in Canada that have been selected by the government to participate in the GHP. This work-permit route exempts employers and foreign nationals from the Labour Market Impact Assessment process, which streamlines the temporary work permit process, and results in shorter processing times for eligible foreign nationals. The work permit can be granted for up to five years. The Innovation Stream was first announced by the government in June 2023, as part of Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy to attract foreign nationals who can help drive emerging technology innovation in the country.