Canada plans to fast-track work permits for AI professionals
On June 4, the federal government announced plans for an expedited work permit stream for AI professionals.
The proposed AI worker stream could provide for start-to-finish issuance of work permits in 20 days or less.
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The AI worker stream would be implemented through Canada’s existing Global Talent Stream (GTS) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The GTS provides for 10-day processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments, which employers need to hire foreign workers through the TFWP, along with 10-day processing of the work permit applications—in contrast to an expected start-to-finish processing time of two to six months for a typical TFWP work permit.
According to the government press release, the AI worker stream will be accompanied by measures to support the transition of these AI workers to Canadian permanent residence.
The government provided no information on how employers or foreign workers would qualify, or on the anticipated launch date.
The initiative was announced as part of a press release on the federal government’s AI for All strategy, which is part of the Carney government’s program to support Canadian economic growth.
Per the press release, Canada's new AI strategy "targets an additional $200 billion in economic growth to create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over the next five years and to increase AI adoption from just over 12% to 60% by 2034."
About the Global Talent Steam
The GTS is a streamlined pathway under the TFWP, designed to help Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers in specialized tech or in-demand occupations.
In its current form, the GTS has two categories.
Category A is restricted to employers referred by a designated partner, allowing select employers to hire foreign workers who demonstrate exceptional knowledge through either an advanced degree in a specialized area or a minimum of five years’ work experience in a specialized position.
Category B allows any TFWP-eligible employer to fast-track the hiring of foreign workers for roles that are specified as high demand through their inclusion in the Global Talent Occupations List (e.g., web designer, data scientist, cybersecurity specialist).
The government did not specify whether the proposed AI worker stream would be implemented through modifications to existing categories of the GTS, or through the creation of a new category.
For more information on the GTS, see our dedicated webpage.
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