Canada’s tech hubs, including Toronto-Waterloo, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary, hire developers from around the world. The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is designed to make this fast.
What is the Global Talent Stream?
GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Employers hiring for occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List, which includes software engineers, developers, data scientists and other tech roles, can get an LMIA processed on a much faster service standard. They must pay at least the required wage and commit to a labour market benefits plan.
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Pay
Developers typically earn about CA$80,000–$120,000, and senior and specialised engineers earn more.
Other tech pathways
- Intra-company transfer: move from a multinational’s office abroad to its Canadian office.
- Express Entry: tech workers with good language scores often qualify directly, and STEM-focused draws have taken place in some years.
- Provincial tech streams, such as BC PNP Tech and Ontario’s tech draws.
How Canadian employer sponsorship works: most employers hiring a foreign worker must first get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), proving they could not find a Canadian to do the job. The employer pays the $1,000 LMIA fee and may not recover it from you. From 1 April 2026, low-wage LMIAs still face a 10% workforce cap (up to 15% for some rural employers in participating provinces) and are refused in many cities with unemployment at or above 6%. Rules change often, so check Canada.ca.
Getting hired
- Apply to companies that mention “visa sponsorship” or “relocation” in the posting.
- Keep a Canadian-style CV: two pages, no photo, achievements in numbers.
- Be ready for multi-round technical interviews and take-home tasks.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is the Global Talent Stream?
ESDC aims to process GTS LMIAs within about two weeks, and work permits can also be prioritised.
Do I need a degree?
Not always for GTS, but the employer must justify the role and wage. Degrees help with Express Entry points later.
Can my spouse work?
Spouses of skilled workers can often get an open work permit, subject to current eligibility rules.
Information checked in October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website before applying or paying any fees.
