Canada launches open work permit stream for 10,000 American H-1B Visa holders | World news
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, has announced that the government will establish an open work permit stream for 10,000 American H-1B visa holders.
This recent initiative aims to attract skilled workers from the United States and provide them with job opportunities in Canada. In addition, the program will also allow for study or work permits for family members of H-1B visa holders.
According to an official release, “Thousands of workers in high-tech fields are employed with companies that have large operations in Canada and the US, and those working in the US often hold a project visa An H-1B. On July 16, 2023, H-1B visa holders in the US, and their accompanying family members, will be eligible to apply to Canada. “
Applicants approved under this new decision will receive an open work permit valid for three years.
This grant will allow them to work across Canada.
The release reads, “They will be able to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Their spouses and dependents will also have the right to apply for a temporary resident visa, including a work or study permit, as needed. “
Minister Fraser stated that by the end of this year, the federal government of Canada will introduce an immigration stream specifically designed for highly skilled people worldwide, allowing them to work for technology companies in Canada, regardless of whether they have a job offer or not.
The exact qualifications and admission numbers for this stream are not publicly regulated.
The H-1B visa program in the US grants temporary work permits to foreign nationals in specialized occupations, particularly in the technology and intelligence sector.
As tech companies experienced a surge in hiring during the pandemic but then faced layoffs, many H-1B visa holders found themselves in need of new job opportunities.
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Canada’s initiative to welcome American H-1B visa holders through an open work permit stream demonstrates the country’s commitment to attracting skilled professionals and fostering economic growth. This program not only benefits visa holders by giving them new avenues for employment but also provides opportunities for their families to study or work in Canada.
