As President Donald Trump raises fees for the H-1B visa program in the U.S., many skilled workers are looking for new opportunities. This has opened up a discussion about whether Canada can attract these talented individuals.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently addressed this situation, noting that many of Canada’s brightest minds often head to the U.S. He hinted at Canada needing to take action now to keep those workers in the country.
Trump’s new policy requires applicants to pay up to $100,000 for H-1B visas. This decision has shocked tech companies that depend on these visas for skilled foreign workers. In fact, Canadians made up about 1% of all H-1B applicants in 2019. While current visa holders remain unaffected, this change limits chances for new graduates eager to stay and work in the U.S.
Evan Green, a Canada-based immigration lawyer, sees this as a golden opportunity for Canada. The non-profit group Build Canada is echoing his sentiments, urging the government to act quickly. They believe that Canada’s quality of life and top-notch research institutions make it a perfect destination for displaced workers.
A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research showed that when the U.S. cut back on immigration for skilled workers, companies turned to places like Canada. Between 2004 and 2020, faced with visa restrictions, many firms hired the same skilled immigrants they originally wanted in the U.S., but moved them to Canada instead.
This year, Canada introduced a new program allowing U.S. H-1B holders to apply for a three-year work permit. The demand was significant, with applications closing in just 24 hours after reaching 10,000 entries. However, the journey to permanent residency in Canada can still be tough, according to lawyer Mark Holthe, who has seen clients relocating after failing to renew their U.S. visas.
Economist Mikal Skuterud from the University of Waterloo warns that while Canada has potential, it needs to streamline its immigration process. In recent years, Canada has reduced its immigration quotas, leading to a political debate about its temporary foreign worker program.
Skuterud believes Canada doesn’t offer the same stability as the U.S. for attracting skilled workers, partly because wages generally trend lower. However, he also points out that the economic benefits of the H-1B program in the U.S. have been significant, especially in tech innovation and research.
The Canadian government is exploring options to make it easier for skilled workers to enter the country, including programs like Express Entry and the Global Skills Strategy. A spokesperson emphasized their commitment to attracting global talent.
In a nutshell, as the U.S. government changes its immigration policies, Canada has a chance to step in and attract skilled professionals. But it will need to address its own immigration challenges to make it an appealing option.
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