Component 1: The dedicated service channel
Businesses referred to the dedicated service channel (DSC) have access to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff who will guide them through the immigration process to help meet their specific needs. To qualify, the businesses must fit one of the following three profiles:
- a foreign business investing in Canada
- a rapidly growing business making investments that have an impact on the Canadian labour market
- an innovative company
Organizations that fit one of these descriptions can contact a referral partner such as Québec International to ensure the follow-up of their request. If their profile and needs meet the requirements, an IRCC account manager will be assigned to the employer. Through a hot line, the account manager can:
- provide information on immigration program options
- explain the process
- put them in touch with the operational staff concerned in Canada and abroad (if applicable)
- manage their file and liaise with the organizations involved in the process as needed to make sure everything goes smoothly
Note that the DSC does not process or prioritize applications, but rather acts as a facilitator to ensure proper preparation and follow-up of your requests.
Component 2: The Global Talent Stream
Under the Global Talent Stream (GTS), Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) work collaboratively to issue joint decisions on Labour Market Impact Assessment applications and recude processing times. What’s more, workers who meet specific criteria can expect their work permit applications to be processed within two weeks by IRCC. ESDC, MIDI and IRCC are aiming for a joint service standard of 20 business days.
Category A of the GTS is intended for high-growth innovative businesses that are in urgent need of finding unique and specialized talent in order to grow.
Businesses applying under Category A of the GTS must submit a written request to Québec International (or any other referral partner), who will confirm their eligibility for the program and refer them to the ministry or reject their application.
Employers must write a few sentences to show that their business:
- operates in Canada
- focuses on innovation
- wants to grow
- is looking to expand
- needs unique and specialized global talent
- has found a particular foreign worker that it would like to hire
Referred businesses in Category A must be seeking to hire unique and specialized talent. The candidate must have advanced knowledge of the industry, an advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer and/or a minimum of five years of experience in a specialized field. The position must include a high salary, i.e. a salary usually equal or above $80,000.
To apply under Category B, businesses do not need to be referred by a referral partner. The employer must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List. In this case, the company must use a GTS form.
To submit a project to Québec International as part of the DSC or the GTS, Category A, please contact Elisa Suhett Rinco , Director of International Mobility at esuhettrinco@quebecinternational.ca.
