- Friday, February 28, 2025
ccording to Canadian immigration, refugees and citizenship minister Sean Fraser, the country will establish an open work-permit stream by July 16 to facilitate the entry of 10,000 American H-1B visa holders.
By: Shubham Ghosh
CANADA has announced a new initiative to welcome and provide work opportunities for 10,000 H-1B visa holders from the US, potentially benefiting a significant number of Indian tech professionals. With a vision to become a global leader in emerging technologies, Ottawa aims to attract professionals affected by mass layoffs in the US tech industry.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that enables US companies to hire foreign workers in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. This visa category is vital for technology companies that rely on recruiting talent from countries like India and China.
According to Canadian immigration, refugees and citizenship minister Sean Fraser, the country will establish an open work-permit stream by July 16 to facilitate the entry of 10,000 American H-1B visa holders. The programme will also extend study or work permits to their family members.
Emphasising Canada’s strategic immigration goals, Fraser said, “With Canada’s first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy, we’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies.”
Approved applicants under this initiative will receive an open work permit, valid for up to three years, enabling them to work for any employer across Canada. Their spouses and dependents will also be eligible to apply for temporary resident visas, along with work or study permits if required.
The Covid-19 pandemic prompted tech companies to expand their workforce significantly.
However, they have now begun laying off employees, leading to a scramble among H-1B visa holders to secure new jobs before facing the possibility of leaving the US, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Recent layoffs at major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have affected thousands of highly skilled foreign-born workers, including Indians. Media reports suggest that approximately 200,000 information technology (IT) professionals have been laid off since November of the previous year, with an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of them being Indian IT professionals holding H-1B and L1 visas.
Each year, the US government issues 65,000 H-1B visas, which are initially granted for three years and can be extended for another three years. In FY 2022, 72.6 per cent of approved H-1B petitions were for individuals born in India, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Similarly, in FY 2021, approximately 74.1 per cent of Indians received H-1B visas out of the total approvals.
Canada’s new initiative demonstrates its commitment to attracting skilled professionals and positioning itself as a global hub for emerging technologies. By providing work opportunities and support for H-1B visa holders, the country seeks to leverage their expertise and contribute to its tech talent pool.
(With agency inputs)
