Canada's Global Skills Strategy (GSS) is an initiative that provides 2-week processing for work permit applications from highly skilled workers in management and professional occupations, with the goal of making Canada a more competitive destination for global talent. The GSS applies to both employers who need to hire foreign workers with an LMIA and to LMIA-exempt positions under the International Mobility Program (IMP) — provided the occupation falls under TEER 0 or TEER 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

The 2-week commitment applies to complete and eligible applications — incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria are not processed under the GSS. For current GSS guidance, refer to the IRCC GSS page.

• IRCC: Global Skills Strategy for workers — canada.ca/global-skills-strategy-workers
• IRCC: Hire through the Global Skills Strategy — canada.ca/global-skills-strategy-employers
• IRCC: Eligibility for 2-week processing — canada.ca/gss-eligibility

Who qualifies — occupation requirement

The core eligibility requirement for GSS processing is that the position must be classified under:

• TEER 0: Management occupations — senior managers, executives, directors, and other positions that plan and direct the policies and activities of organisations
• TEER 1: Professional occupations that require a university degree — including engineers, IT professionals, accountants, scientists, architects, lawyers, and similar

The NOC TEER category for the position is determined by the occupation's entry requirements and the nature of the work. Positions in TEER 2 (college diploma or apprenticeship) or lower are not eligible for GSS processing.

Which permit types are eligible

The GSS applies to employer-specific work permits in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, regardless of whether the position is:

• LMIA-required: Positions where the employer has obtained a positive LMIA from ESDC can apply for the work permit under GSS processing
• LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program (IMP): Positions exempt from LMIA requirements (such as intra-company transfers or positions providing significant benefit to Canada) are also eligible

Open work permits are NOT eligible for GSS 2-week processing — the faster channel is specifically for employer-specific positions where the occupation and employer have been vetted.

The 2-week commitment

IRCC commits to processing 80% of complete, eligible GSS applications within 2 weeks. This is not an absolute guarantee — it is a service standard. Processing times can vary based on application volumes and whether applications are complete. An incomplete application (missing documents, incorrect forms, unpaid fees) automatically becomes ineligible for the 2-week target and will be processed under regular timelines or returned.

Biometrics — critical timing requirement

If biometrics are required for the applicant (which applies to many nationalities), the applicant must provide their biometrics within 2 weeks of receiving the biometric instruction letter. If biometrics are not submitted within this window, the application will no longer qualify for 2-week processing. This is one of the most common reasons GSS applications miss the 2-week target — applicants must be prepared to provide biometrics quickly after submitting their application.

How employers use the GSS

For employers, the GSS has two aspects:

• Faster work permit processing (the 2-week channel described above): The worker applies for their work permit through the standard process, but the application is prioritised.
• Dedicated service channel for employers: Eligible employers can contact IRCC's dedicated GSS employer service line for support with their hiring needs. Eligibility for the dedicated service channel depends on the employer meeting certain criteria relating to investment and job creation commitments.

GSS and the IMP employer compliance fee

For LMIA-exempt positions processed under the International Mobility Program, employers must submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the applicable employer compliance fee ($230 as of 2026 — refer to the IRCC fee list for the current amount). This requirement applies whether or not GSS processing is sought.

The GSS 2-week target is measured from the date a complete and eligible application is received by IRCC. If an application has to be corrected or additional documents requested, the 2-week clock effectively restarts. Employers and workers seeking to use the GSS should prepare a complete, error-free application package — including all supporting documents, correct forms, and paid fees — to maximise the chance of 2-week processing. For current GSS eligibility requirements and the employer service channel, refer to canada.ca/global-skills-strategy.