Canada Eyes Tech Talent Hit by U.S. H-1B Visa Fee Hike

Canada is once again positioning itself as the go-to destination for global tech professionals — especially those affected by the recent surge in U.S. H-1B visa fees.

Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that Canada will introduce targeted measures to attract skilled tech workers who may reconsider their U.S. plans after the new visa policy changes.

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Canada’s Response to the H-1B Visa Fee Hike

Speaking in the United Kingdom on September 27, following the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit, Prime Minister Carney stated that Canada views this as a strategic opportunity to attract high-skilled workers who are now discouraged by the U.S. visa system.

“Not as many people are going to get visas to the United States,” Carney said. “These are people with skills, drive, and ambition — and it’s an opportunity for Canada. We’ll ensure we have a clear offering for them.”

The remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications — a move that sent shockwaves across the American tech industry. The policy is expected to affect thousands of skilled professionals and tech employers who rely heavily on foreign talent.

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Canada’s Growing Appeal to Global Tech Professionals

This isn’t the first time Prime Minister Carney has expressed interest in attracting tech experts from the United States.

During a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York earlier in September, he highlighted how many of Canada’s brightest AI and research professionals end up working in the U.S.

“Maybe we can hang on to one or two of them,” he joked — hinting at a broader national strategy to retain and attract tech innovators.

For skilled professionals seeking career growth, Canada’s work permit and permanent residency pathways offer a smoother, more transparent alternative compared to the complex and uncertain H-1B system.

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Pathways for Tech Workers to Work and Settle in Canada

Canada offers multiple programs for foreign tech professionals, each designed to meet the country’s evolving labour market needs while supporting innovation-driven industries.

1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The TFWP requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — a confirmation that hiring a foreign worker won’t harm the local labour market.

One of its fastest-growing pathways is the Global Talent Stream (GTS), which helps employers hire highly skilled foreign tech talent with work permits processed in as little as two weeks.

Real-life example:
A software architect from India received a job offer from a Toronto-based fintech company through the GTS. Within three weeks, he had his work permit approved — and within a year, he qualified to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

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2. International Mobility Program (IMP)

The International Mobility Program allows employers to hire foreign workers without needing an LMIA.

Under this program, IRCC introduced the Innovation Stream in 2024, part of the Tech Talent Strategy. This new stream allows foreign workers with job offers from eight participating Global Hypergrowth Project employers to get an LMIA-exempt work permit — giving them a faster route to come to Canada.

Real-life example:
A data scientist working in Silicon Valley on an H-1B visa received an offer from one of Canada’s Hypergrowth employers. Through the Innovation Stream, she relocated to Vancouver within a month, bypassing the lengthy U.S. H-1B backlog.

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3. H-1B Open Work Permit for U.S. Tech Workers

One of Canada’s most successful immigration pilots was the H-1B Open Work Permit Program, introduced in July 2023.

This program allowed U.S.-based H-1B visa holders to apply for a Canadian open work permit, giving them flexibility to work for any employer. The response was overwhelming — the 10,000-application cap was reached within 24 hours of launch.

This demonstrates just how eager skilled professionals are to explore Canadian opportunities.

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4. Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)

The Intra-Company Transfer route helps multinational tech companies relocate key employees — such as executives, managers, or specialists — to their Canadian branches.

Real-life example:
A senior AI engineer from Google’s U.S. office was transferred to its Montreal lab under the ICT program. After gaining one year of Canadian experience, she transitioned to permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

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Permanent Residency Options for Tech Professionals

For those who want to make Canada their long-term home, Express Entry remains the most efficient and merit-based pathway.

Candidates can qualify through one of three programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

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STEM-Focused Express Entry Category-Based Draws

Since 2023, Canada has been holding category-based selection draws under Express Entry to target in-demand professions.

The STEM category — which includes software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, and cybersecurity professionals — has received dedicated draws with lower CRS score cut-offs, giving tech professionals an edge in obtaining Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

The most recent STEM draw took place on April 11, 2024, and similar draws are expected as Canada continues prioritizing innovation-led immigration.

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Why Now Is the Right Time for Tech Professionals to Choose Canada

With the U.S. tightening visa policies and Canada expanding its innovation programs, the timing couldn’t be better for global tech talent to look north.

Canada offers:

✅ Transparent immigration processes
✅ Faster work permit approvals (especially under GTS and IMP)
✅ A direct route to PR through Express Entry and PNPs
✅ A thriving tech ecosystem in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary

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Final Thoughts

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement reinforces Canada’s commitment to becoming the top destination for global innovation and skilled immigration.

For professionals affected by the U.S. H-1B fee hike, Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy, combined with pathways like the Global Talent Stream and Innovation Stream, presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relocate to a country that values skills, inclusion, and stability.

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✳️ Ready to Explore Your Canadian Tech Pathway?

If you’re a skilled tech professional looking to work and settle in Canada, now is the time to act.