Canada has announced a new open work-permit stream for American H-1B visa holders to come and work in the country. The program will also provide for study or work permits for the family members of H-1B visa holders. The approved applicants under the new decision will receive an open work permit of up to three years in duration, allowing them to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Canada’s Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, who stated that 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 Immigration minister, John Fraser, also noted 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. H-1B visas are speciality occupation visas, allowing foreign nationals to temporarily work in the US in certain specialized occupations, including the technology sector. The pandemic has left a lot of H-1B visa holders scrambling to find new jobs, and this new development by the Canadian government could be a much-needed chance for them to start afresh.

A work permit in Canada for up to three years will enable them to gain experience in their field and can allow them to settle down in the country in the future. The Immigration minister did not explain exactly who will qualify or how many people will be admitted to the stream, but it is a step towards helping out the many H-1B visa holders who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Opening up the doors to such talented people from the US could help Canada grow in the technology sector, while at the same time allowing the visa holders to build a stable future in the country.