Canada is giving high-tech workers with job offers from companies taking part in the Global Hypergrowth Project a break with the employer-specific work permits that are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
And those work permits can be processed even faster if the worker’s occupation is classified under a Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
“Canada’s greatest strength is our people,” says Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of international trade, export promotion, small business and economic development.
“Through the Global Hypergrowth Project, our government is working with some of the country’s most promising businesses to help them reach new heights around the world, while keeping operations, profits and jobs anchored here at home.”
On This Page You Will Find:
1. Overview of Canada’s Innovation Stream Work Permit
Details about the employer-specific work permit for high-tech workers in the Global Hypergrowth Project.
2. Global Hypergrowth Project Overview
Insight into the federal initiative supporting fast-growing Canadian companies and how it benefits businesses.
3. Eligibility Requirements for Employers and Workers
Information on how employers and workers qualify for the Innovation Stream Work Permit.
4. Family Member Benefits
Guidance on how spouses, partners, and children of permit holders can work or study in Canada.
5. Application Process
Step-by-step instructions for applying for the Innovation Stream Work Permit, including required documents and deadlines.
Innovation Work Permit Participating Companies
The Global Hypergrowth Project launched in late July with eight participating companies, including:
- Ada Support
- AlayaCare
- Clarius Mobile Health
- CellCarta Biosciences
- Clio (Themis Solutions)
- Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group
- Lightspeed Commerce
- Vive Crop Protection
This federal government initiative provides each firm with mentorship and expertise, help in connecting to federal resources and helping navigate today’s business ecosystem.
That includes help with expanding internationally, acquiring talent, navigating funding opportunities, protecting intellectual property, identifying export opportunities and participating in procurement processes.
The Innovation Stream Work Permit is part of that help in recruiting talent for Global Hypergrowth Project companies.
“If you’ve received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in the GHP, you’re eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream,” notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on its website.
“An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as: the name of the specific employer you can work for; how long you can work, and; the location where you can work.”
Before submitting an employer-specific work permit application under this initiative, the employer must:
- submit an offer of employment;
- pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and;
- give the prospective employee an offer of employment number.
All applicants for this Innovation Stream Work Permit must have the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the NOC for the position they plan to accept.
“Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children are eligible for an open work permit as family members of a high-skilled worker,” notes the IRCC.
These open work permits then allow the high-skilled worker’s family member to work for any employer in Canada, except for one that is already listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions.
Innovation Work Stream Permit Holders’ Family Members Can Work And Study In Canada
“If you’re applying for a work permit and your family members want to come to Canada, they must apply to visit or study,” notes the IRCC. “If you’re extending your stay in Canada as a worker and your family members want to stay as well, they must apply or extend their stay as visitors or students in Canada.”
Applying for the Innovation Stream Employer-Specific Work Permit is a four-step process and is almost always to be done online.
The first step is to get ready to answer questions, including information about the applicant’s:
- nationality
- age
- language ability
- family members
- education
- work experience
- income and/or net worth, and
- details on any job offer.
The IRCC has two online tools to help guide applicants through this step, one for applicants in Canada and the other for applicants currently outside the country.
The second step is to get all the needed supporting documents.
“If you’re applying from inside Canada, you’ll need to upload a blank document in the ‘Invitation Letter’ field of the application,” notes the IRCC. “Outside Canada applicants don’t have an ‘Invitation Letter’ field in their application.”
The third step is to check if a medical exam is needed and, if so, find a physician and get an upfront medical exam before applying.
And the final step is to actually complete the online application process.
Once that’s done, those applicants who are outside of Canada will need to book a biometrics collection appointment as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.
“We’ll check your application to make sure you have all the necessary documents, including biometrics,” notes the IRCC.
“If it’s incomplete, we’ll return your application without processing it.”
IRCC Uses Coordinated Universal Time For Application Deadlines
Applicants should keep in mind that the Canadian immigration application system uses coordinated universal time (UTC) and so if the applicant is asked to upload documents to their account, they must submit them before midnight UTC on the date the officer gives them.
“Make sure you know the difference between your local time and UTC,” advises the IRCC.
When a medical exam is needed for the applicant to enter Canada, an immigration officer will tell them and will send them instructions on what to do.
“A medical exam can add over three months to the time it takes us to process your application,” notes the IRCC.
When a work permit application is approved, the applicant is sent an approval letter that indicates they are allowed to work in Canada.
“This letter is called the port of entry letter of introduction,” notes the IRCC. “You should bring this letter with you when you travel to Canada and present it at the port of entry.
“This letter is not your work permit. You’ll only get your work permit at the port of entry the day you arrive in Canada.”
The work permit will outline
- the type of work the applicant can do;
- the employer the applicant can work for;
- where they can work, and;
- how long they can work.
The IRCC also checks the applications of all workers who are already in Canada to make sure they have provided all the necessary documents, including biometrics if required, and returns incomplete applications.
Immigration officials may also ask the applicant to send more information when they have been:
- a visitor applying for a work permit in Canada and who has held a valid work permit in the last 12 months;
- in Canada and their application has been approved or;
- eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
Canada’s immigration department also routinely asks questions of applicants simply to improve its services or look for people to try out their new products.
Canada Innovation Stream Work Permit FAQ
1. What is the Innovation Stream Work Permit under Canada’s Global Hypergrowth Project?
The Innovation Stream Work Permit is a special work permit for high-tech workers with job offers from companies participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project. This permit is employer-specific and exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. Eligible applicants must work in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC). It is designed to help fast-growing companies recruit international talent and support their expansion efforts.
2. How does the Global Hypergrowth Project benefit participating companies?
The Global Hypergrowth Project helps fast-growing Canadian companies by providing mentorship, access to federal resources, and support for international expansion, intellectual property protection, and talent acquisition. Participating firms receive guidance on navigating the business ecosystem, including funding opportunities, export opportunities, and procurement processes. By supporting these companies, the project aims to keep jobs and profits in Canada while encouraging international growth.
3. What are the requirements for the employer when applying for the Innovation Stream Work Permit?
Employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project must submit an official offer of employment, pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and provide the prospective employee with an offer of employment number. This information is required before the worker can apply for an employer-specific work permit. The work permit will include specific conditions, such as the name of the employer, the location, and the duration of the work.
4. Can family members of Innovation Stream Work Permit holders work or study in Canada?
Yes, family members of Innovation Stream Work Permit holders are eligible to apply for open work permits or study permits. Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children can work or study in Canada during the duration of the primary applicant’s work permit. Open work permits allow them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as non-compliant with employment conditions.
5. What is the application process for the Innovation Stream Work Permit?
The application process involves four main steps: preparing answers about the applicant’s personal and job information, gathering required documents, undergoing a medical exam (if needed), and completing the online application. Applicants must ensure all documents are correctly submitted, including biometrics if required. Those applying from outside Canada will need to book a biometrics collection appointment to avoid delays. Incomplete applications are returned without processing, and deadlines follow Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
