Indians to benefit as US H-1B visa holders can now work and live in Canada

Indians, who account for nearly 75% of H1-B visa holders in the United States, are set to be the major beneficiaries of a new scheme launched by Canada to attract tech talent to the country.

To attract highly skilled workers, Canada has started giving open work permits for H1-B visa holders from the US.

The permit will allow H1-B visa holders from the US to come and work in Canada for three years. It also allows family members of approved applicants to study or seek work options in the country.

The new programme will be in place for a year or until the Canadian government receives 10,000 applications.

“Thousands of workers in high-tech fields are employed with companies that have large operations in both Canada and the US, and those working in the US often hold an H-1B speciality occupation visa. As of July 16, 2023, H-1B speciality occupation visa holders in the US, and their accompanying immediate family members, will be eligible to apply to come to Canada,” the Canadian government said in a release earlier this month.

“They will be able to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Their spouses and dependants will also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa, with a work or study permit, as needed,” it said.

H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to temporarily work in the US in certain specialised occupations, including the technology sector. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Canada is hoping to become a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies and it hopes to attract professionals affected by massive layoffs by US tech giants.