Canada has revised the referral network used by employers seeking to hire specialized foreign workers through Category A of the Global Talent Stream.
As of September 15, 2026, the number of designated referral organizations has fallen from 58 to 41. The change means employers applying under Category A now have fewer organizations available to provide the required referral. Ontario saw the biggest reduction, with eight organizations removed from the federal list.
The Global Talent Stream is part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program and is intended to help eligible businesses recruit highly skilled international talent. Category A covers positions considered unique and specialized, with specific requirements for both employers and workers.
Employers affected by the changes can seek referrals from another designated regional or Pan-Canadian organization. Some areas, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon, currently have no specific regional partner listed.
The program continues to offer expedited processing, with a government service standard targeting 10-business-day processing for eligible applications in 80% of cases.
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