Two weeks, and you are set to work in Canada; Here’s GSS work permit!

Highlights of the new GSS work permit in Canada

• Finding skilled workers faster to work in Canada is now possible through GSS (Global Skills Strategy) work permit.
• GSS features faster application processing times, enhanced customer service, and work permit exemptions.
• Regular and mandatory criteria for Canadian visas must be met by migrants eligible for priority processing.
• Foreign workers who can be admitted to Canada without the need for LMIA are eligible for a 2-week visa application processing under GSS.
• Migrants requiring LMIA to qualify for a work permit are eligible for a 2-week visa application processing after meeting certain criteria.

Just when it seemed Canada has done enough to improve the influx of skilled foreign workers migrating to work in Canada, the country introduced the GSS work permit program.

What’s GSS?

GSS stands for Global Skills Strategy. Canada has introduced this federal government work permit program to assist eligible businesses in Canada to gain access to skilled foreign workers from around the world. The advantages of an employee referral through this program include:

• faster processing times for federal application
• enhanced service to customers (migrants) from IRCC and ESDC
• work permit exemptions

There has always been a need for a fast, reliable, and predictable process to draw in top talented and skilled workers to fill their job vacancies. With the introduction of GSS work permit, the process of finding skilled workers became faster.

There are categories of foreign workers eligible for a 2-week visa application processing under GSS. Their visa applications are given priority while processing. Nevertheless, these candidates will have to meet all other criteria for eligibility as well as admissibility, just like those who don’t come under GSS purview.

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Eligibility for GSS work permit

LMIA-exempt foreign workers

Foreign workers who don’t need to meet the LMIA requirement to be recruited and migrate to Canada are eligible for the 2-week visa application processing under GSS. They have to meet the following criteria to be eligible for GSS:

• They must apply from outside Canada.
• They must be in a job that’s either NOC 2021 skill type 0 (managerial) or skill level A (professional).
  • From November 16, 2022, skill type 0 as per NOC 2016 will be updated to NOC 2021 TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Requirements) 0, and skill level A under NOC 2016 will be updated to TEER 1. For any job offer which has a submission date that's on or after November 16, 2022, you have to apply for the NOC 2021 levels.
• The employer must have submitted an employment offer through the Employer Portal. The employer must also have paid the fee for employer compliance.

Note that applicants under the IEC (International Experience Canada) category don’t have the eligibility for the 2-week visa application processing.

Also read: Work in Canada – 4% increase in wages, rise in employment

Foreign workers who need LMIA

Upon meeting the following criteria, foreign workers who need an LMIA can qualify for the 2-week visa application processing under GSS:

• They must be filing their application from outside Canada.
• The employer in Canada has a positive LMIA via the GSS of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Spouses and descendants of foreign workers

The common-law partner/spouse and dependent children of a foreign worker also have eligibility for a 2-week visa application processing. This is applicable to applications for:

• work permit
• visitor visa
• study permit

Applications of the common-law partner/spouse and dependent children have to be submitted and the application lodged at the same time as the foreign worker.

The foreign worker needn’t apply for a visa/eTA (electronic travel authorization). All documents they require will be issued when IRCC processes their application for a GSS work permit.

Submission of certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French is mandatory for eligibility for the 2-week processing.

Also read: Six tech jobs in Canada you can migrate for through Ontario PNP Streams

Work permit exemptions under GSS

There are two types of migrant workers who needn’t hold a Canada work permit for short-term employment. These are:

Highly skilled workers

Here’s who all will come under this category of workers:

• Those whose job is under NOC 2016 skill type 0 (managerial, executive) or skill level A (professional).
  • From November 16, 2022, skill type 0 as per NOC 2016 will be updated to NOC 2021 TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Requirements) 0, and skill level A under NOC 2016 will be updated to TEER 1. For any job offer which has a submission date that's on or after November 16, 2022, you have to apply for the NOC 2021 levels.
• Those who will work only for one of the short periods of time given below:
  • not more than 30 consecutive days once every 12 months
  • not more than 15 consecutive days once every 6 months

Researchers

Migrant workers identified as researchers have to meet the following criteria to be eligible for exemption on Canada work permit:

• Those who do research at a degree-granting, publicly funded, Canadian institution or its affiliated institution for research.
• Those who work for a 120-day period in Canada, once every 12 months.

Know your eligibility to immigrate to Canada through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator.

The bottom line

The GSS is the latest in the steps taken by the Canadian government to improve its efforts to attract more skilled foreign workers to the country. Canadian employers and skilled workers like you can benefit from this program.

If you are willing to migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in the UAE.

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