The program delivery instructions (PDIs) on the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) have been updated to provide clarifications on the short-term (15 or 30 days) work permit exemption, the short-term (120-day) work permit exemption for researchers, and priority processing (14 days) for work permits under the GSS.
For the short-term work permit exemption PDIs, background information has been added about the public policy established on June 12, 2017.
Programs
Short-term (15 or 30 days) work permit exemption
Short-term (15 or 30 days) work permit exemptions are for certain high-skilled work and apply to foreign nationals coming to Canada to perform work that complies with the following conditions:
- be of a short duration (15 consecutive calendar days or 30 consecutive calendar days)
- be in an occupation that is listed in skill type 0 (management occupations) or skill level A in the matrix of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
On June 12, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in coordination with Employment and Social Development Canada, launched the Global Skills Strategy and introduced, among other changes, new work permit exemptions for certain high-skilled work of a short-duration.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has established a public policy under section A25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that justifies the granting of a work permit exemption to certain highly skilled foreign nationals coming to Canada for 120 consecutive days to perform work in a publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institution (or its affiliated research institution).
Changes to the short-term (15 or 30 days) work permit exemption
- instructions under “Conditions” replaced with new instructions
- new instructions added on the following topics:
- evidence
- renewals
- working with multiple employers
- implied status
- visitor records
- sections removed:
- Initial inland applications
- Applications submitted before June 12, 2017
Short-term (120-day) work permit exemption for researchers
The 120-day work permit exemption allows eligible researchers to exit and re-enter Canada within the 120-day time frame. However, the number of consecutive days cannot be extended beyond the initial 120 days. The 120 days begin on the date the exemption was granted.
On June 12, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in coordination with Employment and Social Development Canada, launched the Global Skills Strategy and introduced, among other changes, new work permit exemptions for certain high-skilled work of a short duration.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has established a public policy under section A25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that justifies granting a work permit exemption to certain highly skilled foreign nationals coming to Canada for 120 consecutive days to perform work in a publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institution (or its affiliated research institution).
Changes to the short-term (120-day) work permit exemption for researchers
- clarifications made to the conditions to meet the requirements of the work permit exemption to reflect the language of the public policy
- instructions under “Considerations” revised
- new instructions added on the following topics:
- required documentation
- renewals
- working with multiple employers
- implied status
- visitor records
- list of Canadian publicly funded degree-granting institutions updated.
- topics removed:
- port of entry processing
- initial inland applications
- applications submitted before June 12, 2017
Priority processing (14 days) of work permits under the Global Skills Strategy
As part of the Global Skills Strategy (GSS), Ministerial Instructions on the priority processing of work permit applications were issued on June 12, 2017. Theses instructions allow certain highly skilled foreign nationals applying from outside Canada to be eligible for a 2-week (14 calendar days) processing period.
This applies to any of the following e-applications:
- received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on or after June 12, 2017
- for a work permit from outside Canada [R197]
- for a work permit or study permit for a family member of an applicant whose work permit e-application meets the conditions established by the instructions
These instructions do not apply to International Experience Canada applications for an employer-specific work permit under either the Young Professionals category or the International Co-op Internship category.
Changes to priority processing (14 days) of work permits under the GSS
- background information added about the Ministerial Instructions that were issued to put into effect the priority processing under the GSS
- clarifications made and new instructions added to guidance under “Conditions”
- new instructions added to the following sections:
- ESDC’s Global Talent Stream
- Family members of work permit applicants under the GSS
Please Contact Us for more information.