In a bold move aimed at attracting more talent in the technology sector, Canada has recently launched a program that has sparked unprecedented enthusiasm. This program offers holders of American H-1B visas the opportunity to “stay and work in North America” with an open work permit valid for three years.
Canada has decided to offer 10,000 open work permits to foreigners holding an H-1B visa in the United States. The selected highly skilled workers will have the freedom to work for almost any company in Canada and can also bring their immediate family, who will also have the option to apply for a temporary resident visa.
The program was an instant success, reaching its initial target of 10,000 candidates in just two days. What has been described as a successful promotional campaign quickly caught the attention of highly skilled foreign workers already present in the United States, mainly from India and China, where nearly 600,000 H-1B visa holders are recorded.
The Canadian government’s initiative, specifically targeting visa holders from another country, sends a strong and unexpected signal. By directly reaching out to H-1B visa holders, Canada expresses its commitment to supporting and facilitating international mobility for skilled workers while strengthening its technology and innovation sector.
The immediate success of the program exceeded expectations, even requiring the suspension of the promotional campaign to quickly fill the initial quota. This testifies to Canada’s appeal as a destination for highly skilled professionals, drawn by professional opportunities, quality of life, and the country’s reputation for welcoming immigration.
According to the spokesperson for the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, this initiative is currently in a trial phase. “The Minister of Immigration is now considering the next steps to capitalize on the program’s success,” he stated.
