The government of Canada has launched the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) to encourage entrepreneurship and create jobs for economic development. The GHP has identified a group of Canadian firms that will assist in their transition from major players to global powerhouses.

After a round of nominations and a call for applications, this group was chosen with the help of a private sector panel. The Canadian government will provide focused, specialized support to these businesses in order to propel them forward.

If you have received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). In that case, you are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream. The work permit processing fee for employer-specific work permits under the Innovation Stream is $155.

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 and the location where you can work.

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

You may be eligible for faster processing if your occupation is classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

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)

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.

Have the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the NOC for the occupation you plan to work

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