Canada’s Big Move Benefits H-1B Visa Holders And Their Families

Sean Fraser, Canada’s Immigration Minister stated Tuesday that the government will establish an open work-permit route to allow 10,000 American H-1B visa holders to come and work in the nation.

According to the official announcement from Canada’s Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the programme will also give study or work permits to the family members of H-1B visa holders.

“Thousands of workers in high-tech fields are employed with companies that have large operations in both Canada and the US, and those working in the United States often hold an H-1B specialty occupation visa”, the release reads.

“As of July 16, 2023, H-1B specialty occupation visa holders in the US, and their accompanying immediate family members, will be eligible to apply to come to Canada”, the release continued.

Approved candidates under the new judgment will be granted an open work permit for up to three years.

“They will be able to work for nearly any employer in Canada. Their spouses and dependants will also be able to apply for a temporary resident visa, with a job or study permit, if necessary”, the release added.

Fraser stated that by the end of this year, the federal government would be developing an immigration stream for some of the world’s most talented people who will be able to come to Canada to work for tech companies regardless of whether they have a job or not.

However, the Immigration minister did not specify who would be eligible or how many people would be eligible.

H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to work in the United States in specialized occupations, such as the technology sector. During the pandemic, tech companies went on a recruiting spree, but have now begun laying off enormous numbers of employees. As a result, many H-1B visa holders are scrambling to find new jobs.

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