BLACK mobile logo

united states

H-1B visa changes may give Canada an opportunity. Will it seize it?

September 27, 2025

President Trump's increase of H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has created an opportunity for Canada to attract skilled workers affected by the policy change. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated Canada is developing "a clear offering" for tech workers who would have otherwise sought H-1B visas in the US. While business experts and immigration advocates urge Canada to seize this moment, some experts caution that Canada's immigration system faces its own challenges, including recent immigration scale-backs and lower average wages compared to the US.

Who is affected

  • Highly skilled foreign workers and tech professionals who use or would have applied for H-1B visas
  • Recent international graduates of US universities hoping to stay and work long-term
  • Canadian citizens who made up 1% of total H-1B applicants in 2019
  • Tech companies that rely on the H-1B program to employ foreign workers legally in the US
  • Current H-1B holders (who the White House says won't be affected)

What action is being taken

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney is developing "a clear offering" for people in the tech sector who would otherwise have been eligible for H-1B visas
  • Immigration lawyers and business experts are advocating for Canada to seize this opportunity to attract skilled workers
  • Build Canada, a non-profit, is urging Canada "to move fast" to attract these workers
  • The Canadian government offers several existing immigration pathways including the Express Entry program and Global Skills Strategy program
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working to "identify new solutions to attract the world's brightest and best"

Why it matters

  • H-1B visa programs have led to notable economic growth in the US, especially in research and innovation in high-tech sectors
  • Canada has "world-class research institutions, similar timezones, proximity to the US, and high quality of life" making it a natural alternative destination
  • Previous research from 2004 showed that when H-1B visas were restricted, US-based companies hired the same skilled immigrants in Canada instead
  • Canada could potentially retain more of its homegrown research and AI talent that typically goes to the US
  • The situation represents a significant opportunity for Canada to attract highly skilled and highly paid professionals

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC