CanadaWork permitsLast checked October 30, 2026

Global Talent Stream

fast LMIA and work permit for highly skilled tech and specialist roles · Official name: Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Global Talent Stream (Categories A and B)

An LMIA stream run by Employment and Social Development Canada for employers hiring highly skilled foreign workers. Category A is for innovative firms referred by a designated partner to fill unique, specialized roles; Category B is for occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List. The service standard is 10 business days for the LMIA and 2 weeks for IRCC to process the work permit, each met 80% of the time. The employer must commit to a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

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3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026

Life in Canada

Finance

Currency

Canadian Dollar

CAD

Canadian Dollar

Cost of living

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

14–33%

Income tax (national)

Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

Happiness

6.7

#24 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Highly skilled workers hired by Canadian employers in in-demand tech and engineering occupations, or unique specialized roles at referred innovative firms.

Eligibility

Category AEmployers referred by a partner
The position must pay at least the minimum wage below, or the prevailing wage if higher, and the worker needs specialized skills or experience.
Minimum pay for Category A
Hourly wage
$38.46
Annual base salary
$80,000
- Employer must be referred by a designated referral partner
- Worker needs advanced industry knowledge, an advanced degree, or 5+ years' specialized experience
- Employer must operate in Canada, focus on innovation, and be able to scale up
Official wording
The employer is referred by a designated referral partner, operates in Canada, focuses on innovation, can scale up, and has identified a qualified worker for a unique and specialized position: at least $38.46 per hour ($80,000 annual base salary) or the prevailing wage if higher, plus advanced industry knowledge, and/or an advanced degree, and/or at least 5 years of specialized experience.
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Category BListed occupations
Your job must be on the Global Talent Occupations List, and some technician roles have a higher wage floor.
Wage floor for NOC 22310
Annual salary
$86,000
Hourly wage
$41.35
- Most listed occupations require the prevailing wage
- Examples: software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, web developers
- Some engineers and technicians are also listed
Official wording
The position is on the Global Talent Occupations List (e.g. software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, web developers, some engineers and technicians). Most listed occupations require the prevailing wage; some technician roles have wage floors (e.g. NOC 22310 $86,000 / $41.35 per hour or higher prevailing wage).
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Wage
The employer must pay the prevailing wage for the job.
- Prevailing wage is the highest of two measures
- One measure is the Job Bank regional median hourly wage
- The other is the wage range paid to current employees in the same job, location, skills and experience
- Wages are reviewed annually
Official wording
The employer must pay the prevailing wage: the highest of the Job Bank regional median hourly wage or the wage range paid to current employees in the same job, location, skills and experience. Wages are reviewed annually.
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SourceESDC: Program requirements for the Global Talent Streamcanada.caChecked Oct 30, 2026

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