INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
OTTAWA (CANADA): Canada immigration minister Sean Fraser on Tuesday announced that the government will create an open work-permit stream to
allow 10,000 American H-1B visa holders to come and work in the country.In an official release, Canada's ministry of immigration, refugees,
and citizenship said the program will also provide for study or work permits for the family members of H-1B visa holders."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 release read.The approved applicants under the new decision will receive an open work permit of up to three
years in duration."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," said the
release.According to Canada-based, CBC News, Fraser said that by the end of this year, the federal government will be developing an
immigration stream for some of the world's most talented people that will be able to come to Canada to work for tech companies, irrespective
of having a job or not.However, the immigration minister did not explain exactly who will qualify or how many people will be admitted to the
stream.H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to temporarily work in the US in certain specialized occupations, including the technology sector
Tech companies went on a hiring binge during the pandemic but have since started laying people off in large numbers
That's left a lot of H-1B visa holders scrambling to find new jobs.
