Innovation Stream Employer-Specific Work Permit

If you’ve received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)†ised-isde.canada.ca , you’re eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream.

To be eligible to apply for a work permit under the Innovation stream, you must * have a job offer from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)†ised-isde.canada.ca * have a job offer in a high-skilled occupation * This includes jobs in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3†noc.esdc.gc.ca . * have the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the NOC†noc.esdc.gc.ca for the occupation you plan to work

The Innovation Stream pilot under the International Mobility Program (IMP), which allows high-skilled workers to be recruited through the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) to enter Canada, has been extended until March 22, 2028.

Officers must be satisfied that all eligibility requirements are met at the time of decision on a work permit application.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must * submit an offer of employment * pay a $230 employer compliance fee * give you an offer of employment number

LMIA Exemption Code | C88 – the employer should have selected this code. Ensure that the requirements under the exemption code match the description in “Requirements Exemptions met.” Requirements Exemptions Met | Information in this field should outline that all the requirements are met. Please note that evidence to corroborate how the employer and applicant meet the LMIA-exemption category requirements may be included in supporting documents to the offer.

Wage review: The offer must also indicate that the employer will review wages on the first day of work and then annually by January 1 to ensure that the wages remain prevailing throughout the employment period. This includes the following: * on the first day of work and then annually thereafter, a review and increase, if required, of wages offered for alignment with the prevailing wages as defined on IRCC website, if required * an alignment of the wage with Job Bank†www.jobbank.gc.ca updates or any increases to wages offered to current employees hired for the same job, work location, skills and years or experience

To be eligible to apply for a work permit under the Innovation stream, you must * have a job offer from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)†ised-isde.canada.ca * have a job offer in a high-skilled occupation * This includes jobs in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3†noc.esdc.gc.ca . * have the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the NOC†noc.esdc.gc.ca for the occupation you plan to work

Wages stated in the offer must meet both tests: First test: The wage offered must meet the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, as specified on Employment and Social Development Canada’s website . Employment offers below these rates require a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). Collective bargaining agreement wages do not supersede the requirement to have wages offered that are equal to or higher than the provincial or territorial median hourly wage. If the first test is not met (i.e., the provincial and territorial median hourly wage), officers do not need to assess the second test. Second test The wage offered must meet the requirements of the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for unionized workers. Proof: The employer can include information about meeting the second test in the “Additional information” text box of the offer of employment and upload a copy of the collective bargaining agreement with their offer of employment when they submit it in the Employer Portal. or If the foreign workers are not subject to a CBA, the employer must meet the following criteria: The wage offered must be at or above the wage that is the highest of either: * a. the regional median hourly wage (or salary) for the occupation posted on Job Bank’s Wage Report†www.jobbank.gc.ca * If the median wage is listed as “n/a”, consult the provincial or territorial wage. If it is not available, consult the national wage. Or * b. the wage that is within the wage range that the employer is paying their current employees hired for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience Proof: Employers are required to include the actual wage in the section titled “Wage and benefits” in the offer of employment. Information about meeting this requirement may be found in the “Additional information” text box. The officers will need to confirm if the employer has included information in the offer of employment in the “Additional information” text box confirming that the employer will review wages on the first day of work and then annually by January 1 to ensure that the wages prevail throughout the employment period. The wage range should be from the last 2 pay periods that have occurred within the 6 weeks before submitting the offer of employment. 1. If the position requires additional skills and years of experience over the applicable NOC description, the wages offered should reflect these additional requirements. To determine the wage rate being offered, officers will only consider guaranteed wages, which exclude 1. overtime hours 2. tips 3. benefits 4. profit sharing 5. bonuses 6. commissions 7. other forms of compensation (e.g., piece work, which is work that is paid at a fixed rate based on the amount done rather than the time it takes to do the job). Note: If the first test is not met (i.e., the provincial and territorial median hourly wage), officers do not need to assess the second test (i.e., the prevailing wage). Note that not all applicants will be subject to collective agreements. ## Final decision

If you’ve received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)†ised-isde.canada.ca , you’re eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream.

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as * the name of the specific employer you can work for * how long you can work * the location where you can work (if applicable)

## You’re a high-skilled worker and not on a pathway to permanent residence through one of the eligible streams As of January 21, 2025, only select spouses or common-law partners may be eligible to apply for an open work permit under this measure. This means that as of January 21, 2025, your dependent child, or their dependent child, are no longer eligible for an open work permit under this measure. However, in certain situations, your family member in Canada can still apply for an extension of their initial work permit received through this measure, even after January 21, 2025. ### Spouses and common-law partners of high-skilled workers There are requirements you (the principal applicant) and your spouse or common-law partner must meet for them to be eligible to apply for an open work permit. Principal applicant requirements You (the principal applicant) must meet 4 requirements: 1. You have 1 of the following: * a valid work permit (some exceptions apply ) * an approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (this means you received a port of entry letter of introduction†ircc.canada.ca ) * an authorization to work without a work permit (some exceptions apply) 2. You’re living or plan to live in Canada while working. 3. You’re employed or will be employed in either * any high-skilled occupation at the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 (management) or 1 (professional) level of the National Occupation Classification system at the time your spouse or common-law partner submits their application, or * a select high-skilled occupation at the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 2 or category 3 of the National Occupation Classification system at the time your spouse or common-law partner submits their application 4. Your work permit or authorization to work must be valid for at least 16 months after we receive your spouse or common law partner’s open work permit application, unless you’re the spouse of a foreign-trained medical professional recruited by Quebec . Work permit holders under a free trade agreement (FTA) Spouses or common-law partners of work permit holders under certain free trade agreements (FTAs) are eligible for a spousal open work permit. Be sure to check the FTA you’re applying under to see if your spouse or common-law partner is eligible. If your spouse or common-law partner isn’t eligible for an OWP through an FTA, they may still be eligible to apply for an OWP through this measure. Foreign-trained health care professionals in Quebec as of May 25, 2026 As of May 25, 2026, the following instructions apply to your spouse if you were recruited by Quebec to work in one of the following occupations: * NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses * NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists * NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists Your work permit doesn’t need to be valid for 16 months after we receive your spouse’s open work permit application. When your spouse fills out the work permit application form, they must enter the following in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section: * When asked, “What type of work permit are you applying for?”, select Open work permit. * Under the Job title field, enter CONJOINTSANTEQC in the Job title box. If your spouse is applying separately from you, they’ll need to provide * a copy of your work permit application * your letter of selection confirming that you’ve been admitted into one of the following programs: * Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d'infirmières et d'infirmiers recrutés à l'international * Projet de reconnaissances des compétences d'inhalothérapeutes formés à l'étranger * Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l'étranger ### Who’s not eligible at this time Your spouse or common-law partner isn’t eligible for this measure if any of the following situations apply to you (the principal applicant): * You’ve made a refugee claim that was referred to the Immigration Refugee Board. * You’re subject to an unenforceable removal order. * You’re an international student who holds a study permit. * You’re an international student working on campus or off campus without a work permit. * You’re applying for a PGWP, but haven’t received a positive decision on your application at the time the decision on your spousal work permit application is made. * You hold a spousal open work permit. Spouse and common-law partner requirements Your spouse or common-law partner must meet 3 requirements: 1. They meet the general eligibility requirement s for a work permit. 2. They’re in a genuine relationship with the person (the principal applicant) who makes them eligible for this open work permit. 3. If they’re in Canada, they must be in 1 of the following situations: * They have valid temporary resident status. * They’ve applied to extend their status before it expired (maintained status ). * They’re eligible for restoration of their status as a * visitor * worker or * student ### Work permit extensions for your in-Canada family members

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children are eligible for an open work permit as family members of a high-skilled worker.

Duration | The work permit may be issued for up to 5 years, or until the expiry of the passport or job offer, whichever comes first. Extensions may be permitted before the expiry of this stream on March 22, 2026. Fees |

The Innovation Stream pilot under the International Mobility Program (IMP), which allows high-skilled workers to be recruited through the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) to enter Canada, has been extended until March 22, 2028.