Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced on Tuesday that the government would create an open work-permit stream to allow up to 10,000 US H-1B visa holders to come and work in the country. In an official release, the Canadian Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said this would also benefit family members of H-1B visa holders who could obtain study or work permits.
“Thousands of workers in the high-tech sector are employed by companies with large-scale operations in Canada and the US. Such workers hold US H-1B special business visas. Until July 16, 2023, the release said. H-1B special occupation visa holders in the US and their immediate family members will be eligible to apply to immigrate to Canada.”
Under the new decision, approved applicants will receive an open work permit in Canada for up to three years, the release said. “They can work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Their spouses and dependents will also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa with a work or study permit as required,” the release said.
The Canadian government is preparing a new immigration policy for some of the world’s most talented people that will allow H-1B visa holders to come to Canada to work in tech companies by the end of this year, according to CBC News. However, the immigration minister did not clarify who would be eligible or how many people would be admitted to the stream.
Explain that the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in the US in certain occupations, including technology. Tech companies recruited heavily during the COVID epidemic but have started firing many people since then. This has left many H-1B visa holders struggling to find new jobs. Canada’s new policy can be helpful for such people.
