Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) launched Canada’s first-ever ‘Tech Talent Strategy’, on Tuesday, by announcing a plethora of immigration-centric initiatives.
In addition to the ‘Open work permit stream for H-1B holders’, other measures that were announced include development of a new ‘Innovation Stream’ to attract highly talented individuals, promoting Canada as a destination for ‘digital nomads’, a ‘STEM-specific draw’ under the popular Express Entry program that offers permanent residency and improvements to its ‘Start-up Visa Program’.
“Over the course of this year, Canada is going to be developing a specific stream for some of the world’s most highly talented people that will be able to come to Canada and work for tech companies, whether they have a job offer or not,” he said while addressing the audience at Collision-2023, a technology event in Toronto, on Tuesday.
The current spate of layoffs in the US in the tech sector, which adversely impacted a significant number of H-1B workers and also the green card backlog has influenced Canada’s ‘Tech Talent Strategy’, state immigration experts.
Indians bear the brunt of the employment-based green card backlog with as many as 7.19 lakh mired in this backlog, as of September 30, 2021. According to Cato Institute’s study it could take up to 46 years to obtain a green card (after adjusting for death and ageing out of those in the queue).
“Going forward, as of July 16, we will have a stream that will allow 10,000 H1B visa holders in the US to come and work in Canada,” said Fraser. IRCC states that, “Under this open-work permit stream, approved applicants will receive an open work permit of up to three years in duration, which means they will be able to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Their spouses and dependents will also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa, with a work or study permit, as needed.”
The immigration agency adds that this measure will remain in effect for one year, or until IRCC receives 10,000 applications. Only principal applicants, and not their accompanying family members, will count toward the application cap.
Fraser also announced that Canada will launch a digital nomad strategy, which would allow people having a foreign employer to come and work in Canada for up to six months and interact with local communities here. “Should they get a job offer while they are here, we are going to allow them to continue to stay and work in Canada,” he emphasized.
An “Innovation Stream’ will be launched by the end of 2023, under the International Mobility Program to attract highly talented individuals. This would include grant of employer-specific work permits for up to five years for workers destined to work for a company identified by the Canadian government as contributing to its industrial innovation goals. The stream will also offer open work permits for up to five years for highly skilled workers in select in-demand occupations.
TOI had already reported on the launch of category-based selection for Express Entry a point-based popular route for Indians to gain permanent residency in Canada. On Tuesday, Fraser announced that Canada will be launching a new and dedicated pathway for permanent residents that would be specifically available to aspirants in the STEM sector (covering those qualified in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field).
The Global Skills Strategy Program was launched in 2017, to enable Canadian employers to quickly access highly skilled talent, with processing of work-permit applications in two-weeks. This time limit is now being met, stated IRCC.
A three year temporary measure has been announced, which will enable temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada to upgrade their skills without applying for a separate study permit. Prior to this change, foreign workers could study while working but only in short term programs of six months or less. For longer programs they had to obtain a separate study permit.
Lastly, the ‘Startup Visa Program’ that offers a path to permanent residency for entrepreneurs is set to be made more attractive.
Fraser summed up by saying, “We’re enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration, because they aren’t just about numbers—they are strategic. With Canada’s first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy, we’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies. I’m grateful for the collaboration of the tech, startup and business communities, who have provided valuable insight to develop this strategy. Having a fast and flexible approach, one that is broadly supported by Canadians, is truly Canada’s immigration advantage.”