Employer-Specific Work Permit – Innovation Stream in Canada

Canada has recently launched a new Innovation Stream under its International Mobility Program (IMP), designed to help high-growth Canadian firms hire skilled talent more quickly. This stream allows eligible foreign workers to obtain an employer-specific work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

What is the Innovation Stream Work Permit?

The Innovation Stream is a special pathway for foreign nationals who have received a job offer from a Canadian employer participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). Under this stream:

• The work permit is employer-specific (you are tied to the employer listed)
• It is LMIA-exempt, meaning the employer does not need to go through the LMIA process.
• You work according to the conditions on the permit (employer name, duration, location).

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, applicants must meet these key criteria:

• You must have a job offer from an employer participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
• The offered role must be a high-skilled occupation, typically categorized under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• You must meet the education, experience, and other requirements listed in the NOC for that occupation.
• Before you apply, your employer must:

• Submit an offer of employment

• Pay the employer compliance fee (CAD $230).

• Provide you an offer of employment number.

Additionally, if your occupation is TEER 0 or 1, you may qualify for faster processing.

Why Legal Support is Important

Because this is a new and specialized stream with very specific eligibility and employer participation, legal/immigration counsel is critical to:

• Confirm whether a company is participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project
• Ensure the job offer, role, and NOC classification satisfy Innovation Stream requirements
• Help the employer submit the proper offer of employment, pay compliance fees, and issue the offer number
• Prepare the applicant’s documentation to support education, experience, admissibility, etc.
• Advise on dependent permits and transitions to permanent residency