The Canadian government's latest immigration policy, allowing work permits to H-1B visa holders in the United States, has received an astounding response. Reports indicate that the policy reached its quota of 10,000 permits within the first day of its launch, leading the Canadian authorities to temporarily halt new applications.
The eagerly anticipated work permit program for H-1B visa holders opened for applications on July 16. Under this policy, Canada also offers study or work permits for family members of the applicants, providing a significant opportunity for skilled professionals to explore work and educational prospects in the country.
The decision by the Canadian government to extend work opportunities to 10,000 H-1B visa holders in the US is expected to be especially beneficial for Indian professionals, given that a considerable number of H-1B visa holders originate from India and China.
The Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that the application portal is now closed as it reached its cap of 10,000 applications within a day of opening. The IRCC conveyed on its website, "We reached the cap of 10,000 applications for this initiative on July 17, 2023."
The immigration plan, which was unveiled by Canada in June, aimed to capitalize on the circumstances of mass layoffs in the US and position itself as a global leader in emerging technologies.
The H-1B visa is a crucial pathway for technology giants such as Amazon.com Inc., Google parent Alphabet Inc., Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc., and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) to hire skilled foreign workers. Annually, up to 85,000 individuals are selected for H-1B visas in the US.
Notably, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service reported that approximately 50,000 H-1B visa holders had their visas revoked between October 2022 and April 2023 due to job losses, while about 12,500 individuals did not transfer their visas to other legal statuses.
Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser expressed enthusiasm about the immigration strategy, stating, "We're enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration because they aren't just about numbers—they are strategic. 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."
H-1B visa holders who successfully apply for work permits in Canada will receive an open work permit that can last up to three years, granting them the flexibility to work for any employer across the country. Furthermore, their spouses and dependents will also have the opportunity to apply for a temporary resident visa, along with work or study permits as required, as stated in a release by the Canadian government.
While the application portal is currently closed, the overwhelming response to this immigration initiative highlights Canada's appeal as a destination for skilled professionals seeking new opportunities in a thriving job market and cutting-edge technological advancements.
To check your eligibility, and for further updates and information on Canadian visas, do get in touch with MWT Education Consultancy!
