Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday his government will soon introduce measures to attract skilled foreign workers displaced by the United States’ new H-1B visa restrictions.
Speaking to reporters in London, Carney said his government is examining ways to make Canada more attractive to skilled tech workers who might otherwise have sought opportunities in the United States.
“What is clear is that the opportunity to attract people who previously would’ve got so-called H-1B visas,” Carney said, adding that many workers are in the tech sector and willing to relocate. “We will have an offering on this soon.”
The announcement comes days after the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on September 19, with the new fee taking effect September 21. The White House later clarified the fee applies only to new visa petitions, not renewals or existing holders.
The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. Major tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, are among the largest sponsors of H-1B workers.
Workers from India represent about 72% of H-1B visa holders. India’s Ministry of External Affairs warned the US measure “is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families.”
Canada offers several work permit options for highly skilled workers, including the Global Talent Stream, which has no quota system, unlike the US H-1B program.
Carney did not provide specific details about the timeline or structure of Canada’s planned immigration offering.
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