Canada announced work permit availability for H-1B Visa holders from the U.S. Recently Sean Fraser declared additional initiatives to invite a rising number of globally recognized Tech talent to Canada.
These additional initiatives will also consist of a massive Tech-Talent strategy for the first time.
Canada announced work permit availability for H-1B Visa holders
By establishing a streamlined work permit application process for US citizens with H-1B specialized occupation visas who want to move to Canada, IRCC will increase labor mobility in North America. Currently, numerous people working in high-tech industries are hired by businesses operating in both the US and Canada. Also, those who work in the US frequently have an H-1B specialty occupation visa.
H1-B visa holders in the US and their accompanying immediate family members will be able to seek to move to Canada starting on July 16th, 2023. The accepted applicants will receive an open work permit valid for three years. Moreover, it will allow them to work for nearly any Canadian employer.
Further, their dependents or spouses will have the chance to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. According to IRCC, this will further enhance the existing opportunities for skilled workers in the Tech sector. Additionally, it will also contribute to North America’s economic growth.
This specific initiative will continue to be relevant for a year or until IRCC receives 10,000 applications.
IMP’s innovation stream
IRCC is all prepared to launch an innovation stream under the International Mobility Program. This is its attempt to welcome individuals with higher levels of talent. After a discussion with the tech sector’s stakeholders, it is evident that there is an ongoing labor shortage in major tech occupations. Therefore, it is vital to expand Canada’s talent base; this should be the only objective.
This is why the Canadian government will introduce an innovation stream toward the latter half of 2023. This stream will develop an LMIA exemption to facilitate employers to hire skilled workers in Canada. It will primarily assist the priorities of the innovation stream and the higher-level tech industries.
IRCC is on the verge of choosing from two alternatives:
- Employer-specific work permits with five years of validity for employees seeking to work for firms with recognition from the Canadian government. This will attempt to fulfill the objective of industrial innovation.
- Open Work Permits with a validity of five years for skilled workers in specific in-demand occupations.
Welcoming digital nomads
Additionally, the IRCC will advertise Canada as a location for digital nomads. They can work remotely from any location on Earth. IRCC will work with public and commercial partners in the following months to assess whether more regulations to entice digital nomads to Canada are necessary.
A digital nomad who works remotely for a foreign employer is permitted to stay in Canada for up to six months as a guest under current immigration laws. IRCC anticipates that some of these digital nomads may seek employment with Canadian businesses once they arrive in the country, taking their abilities with them by requesting a temporary work permit or permanent residence.
Express Entry category-based draws – STEM-specific draws
IRCC will soon be welcoming the Express Entry category-based draws. This further implies that candidates with proven language proficiency in French will be given preference. Also, those with work experience in fields under the STEM professions will gain more importance in these category-based selection draws.
The selection of these categories occurred based on labor market shortages and predictions. Another reason is the feedback received from IRCC providers, stakeholders, territories, and provinces across Canada.
Additionally, Statistics Canada even revealed that there is a skill requirement in Canada’s STEM labor force. This revelation happened through a report in the latter part of 2022.
Canada announced work permit availability for H-1B Visa holders – what about the changes to improve the tech programs?
IRCC will make changes within the existing tech programs, particularly those looking after workers in high-skill tech professions. These will include the Global Skills Strategy and Start-Up Visa Program.
The goal of the Global Skills Strategy is to assist Canadian firms who are looking for quick access to highly qualified personnel worldwide. After delays throughout the epidemic, IRCC processing times for these work permits have returned to the two-week norm. Additionally, ESDC is processing LMIAs for firms under the Global Talent Stream in less than the required two weeks.
For international business owners who get funding from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor organization, or business incubator for their startup, the Start-Up Visa program offers a route to permanent residence.
Other vital changes
More spaces were made available under this program, going from 1,000 to 3,500, to meet the long applicant waitlists. This means that the number of permanent residents anticipated in the Federal Business category for 2023 has tripled, and it is anticipated that this number will rise even further in 2024 and 2025.
IRCC will also change the temporary work permit option for SUV applicants so they can now apply for an open work permit of up to three years. This will be in place of a one-year work permit that only allows them to work for their start-up.
Each person on the business team will have access to the work permit. Before this revelation, work permits could only be applied for by entrepreneurial team members. These members were only those deemed crucial and urgently required in Canada.
Applications that are backed by committed funding or approved by a business incubator that is a part of Canada’s Tech network will also be given priority by IRCC and moved to the front of the processing queue.
