Canada To Introduce Permit Skilled Foreigners Via US H-1B Visa

Canada has intended to introduce a US H-1B visa that may attract foreign skilled workers from the US, India & other countries.

Canada has announced a new open work-permit stream that aims to attract 10,000 H-1B visa holders from the United States. 

This move is expected to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals who have been affected by layoffs in the US. 

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized occupations requiring technical expertise. 

Many technology companies, particularly in the US, rely on this visa to recruit skilled employees from countries like India and China.

The Canadian government plans to create the open work-permit stream by July 16, allowing H-1B visa holders to come and work in Canada. The program will also extend study or work permits to the family members of the visa holders. 

The aim is to attract professionals affected by the recent layoffs in US tech giants and position Canada as a world leader in emerging technologies.

Under the new program, approved applicants will receive an open work permit valid for up to three years. This permit will allow them to work for any employer anywhere in Canada. 

Furthermore, their spouses and dependents will be eligible to apply for temporary resident visas, along with work or study permits as required.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially led to a hiring surge in the tech industry, but many companies have since initiated large-scale layoffs. As a result, H-1B visa holders in the US have faced uncertainty and job insecurity. 

Canada’s open work-permit stream provides an opportunity for these individuals to explore employment options in Canada and potentially continue their careers there.

The new program comes at a time when a significant number of highly skilled foreign-born workers, including Indians, have lost their jobs in the US due to layoffs at major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. 

According to reports, nearly 200,000 IT workers have been laid off since November last year, with a substantial portion being Indian IT professionals on H-1B and L1 visas.

Canada is attempting to leverage the talent pool affected by layoffs in the US with this visa initiative. The country will also attract skilled professionals who can contribute to the country’s tech sector. Canada has strategic goals and immigration Tech Talent Strategy.