Toronto - Canada's Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, revealed on Tuesday that the government is set to create an open work-permit pathway, granting entry to 10,000 American H-1B visa holders who wish to work in Canada. The initiative, announced by Canada's Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, also extends the opportunity for study or work permits to the family members of H-1B visa holders.

The move aims to accommodate thousands of skilled professionals, particularly in high-tech fields, who are employed by companies with significant operations in both Canada and the United States. Many of these professionals currently hold H-1B specialty occupation visas while working in the US.

Starting from July 16, 2023, H-1B visa holders in the US and their immediate family members will be eligible to apply for the new program to come and work in Canada. Upon approval, candidates will receive an open work permit, valid for up to three years, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada. Moreover, their spouses and dependents can apply for temporary resident visas, along with job or study permits if required.

In addition to this initiative, Fraser stated that the Canadian federal government plans to establish an immigration stream later this year to attract some of the world's most talented individuals to work for tech companies in Canada, regardless of whether they have a job offer or not. However, specific eligibility criteria and the number of people to be granted this opportunity were not mentioned in the announcement.

The H-1B visa program in the United States enables foreign nationals to work in specialized occupations, primarily in the technology sector. During the pandemic, tech companies initially conducted extensive hiring, but now many are facing layoffs, leaving numerous H-1B visa holders seeking new job opportunities. Canada's open work-permit route provides an alternative avenue for these skilled workers to continue their careers and contribute to the Canadian workforce.