Innovation Stream pilot – Issuance of an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit for foreign nationals destined to work for a Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) employer – [R205(c)(ii) – C88] International Mobility Program

For work permit applications made under the LMIA exemption code C88, “officer” refers to employees of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Work permit applications under this LMIA exemption code can be made before entry (IRCC), upon entry (CBSA) or after entry (IRCC). Therefore, these C88 instructions apply to officers employed by IRCC and the CBSA.

The instructions on this page should be reviewed in conjunction with the following:

• Employer-specific work permits with labour market impact assessment exemptions (International Mobility Program)
• Conditions and validity period on work permits (temporary workers)
• Public list of employers who have been non-compliant

The Minister of IRCC has designated the work performed by foreign nationals who are or will be employed in high-skilled occupations at a Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) employer as necessary for public policy reasons related to the competitiveness of Canada’s academic institutions, or economy, under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). This authorizes the issuance of an employer-specific work permit for up to 5 years to eligible foreign nationals under the Innovation Stream.

High-skilled occupations are those in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3.

The Innovation Stream will be in place for 2 years, until March 22, 2026, unless otherwise extended.

On this page

• Definitions
• Eligibility
• Documentary evidence
• Application assessment
  • Wage assessment
• Final decision
  • Approval
  • Refusals
• Open work permit for family members

Definitions

Median hourly wage by province or territory

Provincial and territorial median hourly wage for all occupations

This wage threshold is updated annually in the spring by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and serves to distinguish between high- and low-wage workers.

For example, the median hourly wage in Ontario is $27 per hour. An offer of employment at or above $27 per hour in Ontario would be considered a high wage.

Median hourly wage by occupation and location (Job Bank)

The median hourly wage is for an occupation in a specific location.

For example, the median wage for a registered nurse (NOC 31303) in Toronto is $38.05 per hour, whereas the median wage for the occupation in Ottawa is $41.00 per hour. ESDC updates median wages on Job Bank annually in the fall.

Employer wage range

This is the wage offered by an employer within the same range as current employees hired for the same job, in the same location, with similar skills and work experience.

Prevailing wage

The prevailing wage is the highest of either the median hourly wage on Job Bank or the employer wage range.

Collective bargaining agreement (CBA)

The CBA is a legal contract between an employer and a labour union representing the employees.

Eligibility

To be eligible under paragraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C88, at the time of the decision on the work permit application, foreign nationals must meet all general eligibility requirements for a work permit and all the following requirements:

• If applying before entry under R197, or after entry under R198, applicants must submit their work permit application online through the IRCC Secure Account (or through the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal) unless they are exempt from the mandatory electronic application (e-application) requirement for temporary residents.
• Applicants must have obtained an offer of employment number (A#) from one of the employers selected for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
• Applicants must have an offer of employment in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, which offers wages that meet the following criteria of both tests:
  • first, must be at or above the median hourly wages by province or territory (if this is not met, there is no need to assess the second wage test)
  • second, meet the requirements of the applicable collective bargaining agreement
• If the position is not under a collective bargaining agreement, the wage offered must be at or above the prevailing wage that is defined as the highest of either:
  1. at or above the regional median hourly wage (or salary) for the occupation posted on Job Bank’s Wage Report
     • If the median wage is listed as “n/a”, the provincial or territorial wage should be used. If not available, the national wage would apply.

     or

  2. within the wage range paid to current employees hired for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience.
• 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 updates or any increases to wages offered to current employees hired for the same job, work location, skills and years or experience
• Pursuant to paragraph R200(3)(a), officers must be satisfied that applicants have the ability to perform the work that is sought, and should therefore consider whether applicants have the required education and experience outlined in the employment requirements section of the National Occupational Classification for the occupation offered.
• Applicants who are in Canada at the time of submission must
  • have valid temporary resident status or
  • be eligible for restoration of status as a temporary resident
  and
  • be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada [section R199 or a public policy that is in effect at the time of application]

Who is not eligible under the Innovation Stream

• Foreign nationals who do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above are not eligible for this stream and would be required to apply for an LMIA-based work permit unless they qualify under another LMIA-exemption category.

Documentary evidence

Officers should be satisfied that they have the following documentary evidence to make an assessment

1. proof that the employer is on the list of employers who are participating in the GHP
   • Officers must confirm this information on the Offer of Employment.
2. proof that the employer meets the wage requirements
3. proof that the applicant meets the job requirement
   • Applicants must have a job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation and meet the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for the intended occupation.

Application assessment

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

When assessing applications in this category, officers must determine if the applicant can perform the work sought in Canada.

When assessing whether the applicant meets the requirements of the occupation they are applying for, officers should review the offer of employment that appears under the Employment Details tab in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) for information provided by the employer or the matching fields on the IMM 5802 form (if the employer was authorized to use it).

Wage assessment

Employers are provided with instructions on how to meet the wage requirement.

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
  • 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).

Final decision

Approvals

On the Application screen, officers should enter the following information in the specified fields:

Refusals

If an officer has determined that the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, they should record their reasons for decision as per the instructions in: Decision making: Standard of review and process for making a reasonable decision.

Open work permits for family members

Family members of high-skilled workers are eligible to apply for an open work permit under subparagraph R205(c)(ii). Refer to

• Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) [R205(c)(ii) – C41 and C46]