Canada: New Announcement Will Benefit H-1B Visa Holders and Their Families

There are currently approximately 10.000 American H-1B visa holders and with no automatic path to permanent residence in America. Canada’s latest news is certainly turning heads. Canada Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on Tuesday announced that the government will create an open work-permit stream to allow H-1B visa holders to come and work in the country. Those who are eligible for a Canadian work permit through Canada’s Ministry of Immigration will also be able to apply for Canadian work permits and Canadian study permits for their family members. Visa holders in the US and their immediate families will be able to apply to come to Canada and work starting on July 16, 2023. According to the official statement from Canada’s Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, many employees in high-tech industries are employed by businesses that have sizable operations in both Canada and the US, and a sizable percentage of them are in possession of H-1B specialty occupation visas in the US.

The candidates who are accepted under this new scheme will receive an open work visa good for up to three years, according to the official statement. Their spouses and dependents will also be qualified to apply for a Canadian temporary residence visa with a Canadian work permits or Canadian study permits, as needed. They will have the freedom to work for any employer across Canada.

What is the H-1B visa?

A nonimmigrant work visa called the H-1B enables American firms to recruit foreigners with particular talents to work in the country for a certain amount of time. The positions often ask for a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Jobs that are eligible for the H-1B visa are frequently found in industries including technology, finance, engineering, architecture, and more.

Who is eligible for the H1B visa:

• If you have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires specialty knowledge
• If you have proof of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in that field
• Your employer must show that there is a lack of qualified U.S. applicants for the role

You might need to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and be accepted to apply before you can enter the country and start working under the H-1B classification. There is just a 14-day registration window each year. You cannot apply for an H-1B visa if you do not register and your profession is not excluded from the quota.