Canada Plans Fast-Track Permits for AI Workers

Canada is planning a faster work permit stream for artificial intelligence professionals as the federal government looks to grow the country’s AI workforce.

The announcement came on June 4, when Ottawa introduced plans for a new AI worker stream. If implemented, the stream could allow eligible AI professionals to receive work permits in 20 days or less.

The proposed pathway would run through Canada’s existing Global Talent Stream, also known as the GTS, under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Faster Route For AI Talent

The Global Talent Stream already helps Canadian employers hire highly skilled foreign workers for specialized and in-demand roles.

Under the current system, the GTS allows for 10-day processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments, known as LMIAs. Employers usually need an LMIA to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The GTS also allows for 10-day processing of eligible work permit applications. Together, this can create a start-to-finish process of about 20 days.

That is much faster than the usual two to six months expected for many work permits under the broader Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Permanent Residence Support Also Planned

The federal government said the proposed AI worker stream would also come with measures to help these workers move toward Canadian permanent residence.

However, Ottawa has not yet explained how employers or foreign workers would qualify for the new stream. It also has not announced when the stream may officially launch.

The government has not said whether the AI worker stream would be added to the existing GTS categories or created as a separate category under the same program.

Part Of Canada’s AI Strategy

The announcement was made as part of the federal government’s broader AI for All strategy.

The strategy is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s economic growth plan. According to the government release, the strategy aims to add $200 billion in economic growth, create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over five years, and increase AI adoption from just over 12 per cent to 60 per cent by 2034.

The proposed work permit stream is one part of that plan. It aims to help Canadian businesses access AI talent more quickly as demand for skilled workers grows.

How The Global Talent Stream Works

The Global Talent Stream currently has two categories.

Category A is for employers referred by a designated partner. It allows selected employers to hire foreign workers with exceptional knowledge. These workers usually need an advanced degree in a specialized field or at least five years of experience in a specialized role.

Category B is open to employers eligible under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It supports hiring for high-demand roles listed on the Global Talent Occupations List. These roles include jobs such as web designers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists.

The proposed AI stream could give Canadian employers another faster option for hiring specialized talent, but details remain limited.

For now, employers and foreign workers will need to wait for more information on eligibility, launch timing, and how the new stream will fit into the existing Global Talent Stream.