Canada Expands Opportunities To Attract Tech Talent Affected By US H-1B Fee Hike

Background: H-1B Fees Soar in the US

On September 19, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a fee of $100,000 for each new H-1B application. The H-1B is a type of visa for highly skilled foreign workers, especially in the technology industry. This huge fee is expected to severely affect US technology companies, which are heavily dependent on H-1B workers.

Golden Opportunity For Canada

Speaking in the UK on September 27, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is preparing measures to attract technology talent - a group that would normally apply for H-1B visas in the US but is now facing difficulties. He emphasized:

“This is an opportunity for Canada to come up with a clear policy package to welcome people with skills, entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to move to work.”

Previously, on September 22, Mr. Carney also expressed his desire to retain AI and research talent pouring into the US.

Roadmap to Canada for Tech Talent

Canada đang sở hữu nhiều immigration program và làm việc hấp dẫn, phù hợp cho lao động công nghệ quốc tế:

1. Work Permit

There are two main groups:

• Chương trình Lao Động Nước Ngoài Tạm Thời (Temporary Foreign Worker Program – TFWP)
  • LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) requirement: document proving that hiring foreign workers will not adversely affect the Canadian labor market.
  • Global Talent Stream: processes work permit applications for tech workers within 2 weeks, helping Canadian businesses quickly recruit people.
• Chương trình Di Động Quốc Tế (International Mobility Program – IMP)
  • LMIA exemption, helping to shorten the processing time.
  • Innovation Stream (launched September 2024): for workers with job offers from 8 companies in the Global Hypergrowth Project, fast work permit issuance and LMIA exemption.

2. Tech Talent Strategy

• Work Permit for H-1B Holder: open from July 16, 2023 and limit of 10,000 applications in just 1 day.
• Intra-Company Transferee: allows multinational corporations to transfer key personnel (senior managers, technical experts) to their Canadian office without an LMIA.

3. Direct Path to Permanent Residency (PR)

• The Express Entry system manages three federal programs:
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program

From 2023, Category-based draws will prioritize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. People with experience in these fields often require a lower Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) than in the general draw.
Note:: The most recent STEM draw took place on April 11, 2024.

Important Terms Explained

• H-1B Visa: A temporary US work visa for highly skilled workers, popular in the tech industry.
• LMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment, demonstrates that hiring foreign workers does not adversely affect Canadian workers.
• CRS (Comprehensive Ranking Score): Express Entry's points system for ranking candidates.

Conclusion

The US H-1B fee hike opens up a huge opportunity for Canada to attract global tech talent. With a range of flexible programs from work permits to permanent residency, Canada is asserting its position as a top destination for tech professionals looking to build a stable career and life.