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Applying for work with the Global Skills Strategy

Who is eligible for two-week work permit processing?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) can help you get to work in Canada faster by offering two-week processing times on eligible work permit applications.

To be eligible, you must be applying online from outside Canada in one of these situations:

Situation one

Your employer has a positive Global Talent Stream (GTS) (Category A or B) Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for your position.

In this situation, you must tell us you are applying using a GTS LMIA when you complete your eligibility check. Otherwise, we won’t recognize you as a GSS applicant.

Situation two

You:

Some employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment or pay the employer compliance fee. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.

Find out how to apply for two-week processing if you are eligible.


Are all Global Skills Strategy (GSS) work permit applications processed in two weeks?

No. Our commitment is to process 80% of complete applications within 2 weeks.

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by both

  • the number of applications we received while COVID-19 health and travel restrictions were in place
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.


I have a Global Talent Stream (GTS) LMIA, do I have to do anything else to get two-week processing?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes. To get two-week processing, you must check your eligibility and:

Local visa office requirements

Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that the worker needs to follow. Check the local visa office requirements to make sure the worker includes all required documents with their application.

If there are local instructions to follow you can find them in the application package.

  1. Go to the work permit application.
  2. Select apply online.
  3. Select the country or territory the worker is applying from.
  4. Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

To be eligible for two-week processing the worker must include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.

Examples of requirements that may change depending on where you are applying from:

It is your responsibility to make sure your application is complete. If you forget something, your application may be delayed or refused.


When should I get my medical exam to apply for two-week work permit processing through the GSS?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

If you need a medical exam, get it before you apply so you can include it in your application. This is called an upfront medical exam.

Find out more about upfront medical exams.


I’m applying for a work permit under the GSS. Do I need include a police certificate?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

It depends on where you are applying from. Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that you need to follow. To find out if you need a police certificate:

  1. Go to the work permit application.
  2. Select the country or territory you are applying from.
  3. Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

Visa office instructions are specific to your location and will tell you if you need a police certificate.

If your police certificate is not in English or French you must get a certified translation and include it in your application, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.

If you can’t get a police certificate, include an explanation and any supporting documents with your application. We will review your explanation and let you know if we need more information.

If you need a police certificate but don’t include it with your application, it may take longer than two weeks to process your application.

Find out how to get a police certificate.


I’m eligible for two-week processing under the GSS. Can I bring my family?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes, if you all apply at the same time, your spouse, common-law partner or dependent children will also be eligible for two-week processing. Make sure everyone submits a complete application to avoid delays.


Can I get two-week processing if I am applying under the International Mobility Program?

Processing delays for GSS applications

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

  • the number of applications we’ve already received
  • an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes, if you are applying for a work permit through the International Mobility Program, submit your application online normally. We’ll process your application within the two-week standard automatically if you:

Local visa office requirements

Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that the worker needs to follow. Check the local visa office requirements to make sure the worker includes all required documents with their application.

If there are local instructions to follow you can find them in the application package.

  1. Go to the work permit application.
  2. Select apply online.
  3. Select the country or territory the worker is applying from.
  4. Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

To be eligible for two-week processing the worker must include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.

Examples of requirements that may change depending on your location:

It is your responsibility to make sure your application is complete. If you forget something, your application may be delayed or refused.


I need an LMIA for my work permit application. How do I know if I am part of the Global Talent Stream?

The positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that your employer must share with you before you can apply for your work permit will tell you if you are part of the Global Talent Stream (GTS).

Find out how to benefit from the Global Skills Strategy if you are LMIA-exempt.


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