Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:
Immigration, citizenship & Visa consultants
For years, the United States' H-1B visa program has been a primary gateway for global tech talent seeking opportunities in North America. However, a seismic shift is underway.
On September 19, 2025, a proclamation by US President Donald Trump imposed a staggering $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas . This move has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, creating profound uncertainty for thousands of skilled professionals and the companies that rely on them.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has signalled that Canada is poised to welcome this talent. He has confirmed that the Canadian government is crafting a "clear offering" for those affected, specifically mentioning the opportunity to attract skilled, enterprising people in the tech sector who may no longer secure US visas .
This article will explore what this means for you and outline the actionable pathways available to work and build a future in Canada.
Prime Minister Carney's comments are not isolated. They reflect a strategic intent to position Canada as a stable and attractive alternative for global talent. While speaking about Canada's homegrown research and AI talent, Carney noted, "Unfortunately, most of them go to the US."
"I understand you're changing your visa policy," he added. "Maybe we can hang on to one or two of them" .
This isn't a new concept for Canada. In 2023, the government launched a special work permit program for H-1B visa holders, which reached its cap of 10,000 applications in just 24 hours, demonstrating massive pent-up demand . Although that specific program is now closed, the government's focus on attracting tech talent has only intensified .
While a dedicated new program for H-1B holders is still in development, several robust and immediate pathways exist for tech professionals looking to relocate to Canada.
Starting with a Canadian work permit is a strategic first step for many, as Canadian work experience significantly strengthens your profile for permanent residence down the line.
Canadian work permits generally fall under two categories:
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Typically requires the employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a document proving the need for a foreign worker.
International Mobility Program (IMP): LMIA-exempt, based on broader economic, cultural, or competitive advantages for Canada.
Key work permit options for tech workers include:
Global Talent Stream (GTS): A flagship program under the TFWP designed to help innovative companies in Canada hire unique and specialized foreign talent quickly. It aims for a two-week processing standard for work permit applications, making it an excellent option for in-demand tech roles like software engineers and data scientists .
Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Work Permit: If you work for a multinational company with a Canadian office, an ICT permit allows for a transfer. This LMIA-exempt pathway is ideal for executives, senior managers, or employees with specialized knowledge .
CUSMA Professional Work Permit: For American citizens, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) provides a streamlined path for professionals in a list of eligible occupations, including many computer systems analysts and engineering roles .
Innovation Stream: Recently introduced under Canada's Tech Talent Strategy, this LMIA-exempt work permit targets skilled workers with job offers from employers in the Global Hypergrowth Project .
For those who qualify, applying for Permanent Residency (PR) directly is a powerful option. This provides the right to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.
Express Entry System: This is Canada's primary application management system for skilled immigrants. You create an online profile and are ranked against others using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores you based on age, education, work experience, and language skills .
The Express Entry system manages three main programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Category-Based Selection Draws: A major advantage for tech workers! In 2023, Canada began targeting specific in-demand fields through Express Entry. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is a key category, resulting in dedicated draws with significantly lower CRS score requirements than general draws . This gives tech professionals a considerable edge.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Canada's provinces and territories operate their own immigration programs tailored to local labour needs. Programs in tech-heavy provinces like British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta frequently target tech occupations. A provincial nomination adds 600 valuable points to your Express Entry CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply for PR .
Choosing Canada is not about settling for "Plan B." It's about choosing a country with a proactive immigration strategy designed for your success.
Stability and Predictability: While the U.S. immigration landscape grows uncertain, Canada has a clear, points-based system that rewards your skills and experience.
Direct Paths to Permanent Residency: Unlike the H-1B, which is a temporary visa, many Canadian pathways are designed with permanent settlement as the end goal.
Thriving Tech Hubs: Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary are home to vibrant and growing tech ecosystems, with abundant opportunities in AI, fintech, and software development.
Quality of Life: Canada consistently ranks high for quality of life, offering universal healthcare, world-class education, and safe, diverse communities.
The message from the highest levels of the Canadian government is clear: your talent is wanted here. While Prime Minister Carney's announcement lays the groundwork for future policy, the pathways to Canada are already open and well-traveled.
Navigating these options—from understanding LMIA requirements to optimizing your Express Entry profile—can be complex. The expertise of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is invaluable in assessing your profile, identifying the strongest pathway, and ensuring your application is successful.
What did Prime Minister Mark Carney say about H-1B visa holders?
Following the US announcement of a $100,000 H-1B fee, Carney stated that Canada sees an opportunity to attract skilled tech talent and is working on a "clear offering" for those affected .
Is Canada's special work permit for H-1B holders from 2023 still open?
No. That specific program, which offered open work permits, closed in July 2023 after reaching its 10,000-application cap in just 24 hours .
What are the best work permit options for tech workers right now?
Current excellent options include the Global Talent Stream (GTS) for fast-tracked processing, the Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) permit for those in multinational companies, and the CUSMA Professional permit for American citizens .
Can I apply for Permanent Residency directly from outside Canada?
Yes. The Express Entry system, particularly the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the STEM category-based draws, is designed for skilled foreign workers to obtain Permanent Residency directly .
How can a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) help me?
An RCIC, like Sanjay Prasher at CTIVCI, is a legally authorized expert who can provide a full assessment of your case, recommend the optimal pathway, prepare a complete and accurate application, and represent you before the Canadian government, significantly increasing your chances of success.
Let Us Guide You Home.
The changing US immigration landscape is a moment of opportunity for Canada and for you. If you are a tech professional considering your options in North America, now is the time to act.
Contact Sanjay Prasher and the CTIV team today for a comprehensive assessment and to start your Canadian journey.
By Sanjay Prasher (SP), M.B.A, CICC, immigration consultnat North York
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) | Member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
Member of Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) | Gold Member, Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC)
Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:
Obtaining and applying for Canadian citizenship can be a long and labour-intensive process as law changes very fast. We keep you posted on citizenship application requirements. We are your Citizenship application process immigration consultant.
