New Benefits for Indians as US H1 B Visa holders can now work and live in Canada
Canada has launched an open work permit scheme for 10,000 H1 B visa holders to work and live here. This move is likely to benefit Indian tech professionals who account for nearly 75% of visa holders in US.
H-1 B visa is a permission granted to foreign nationals to temporarily work in the US in certain specialized sectors.
H1 B Visa Update
Canada has announced a new scheme inviting US H1-B visa holders to come and work in their country. The move will benefit many Indian tech professionals facing lay-offs from US companies.
Further, Canada has also announced some “aggressive attraction measures.” These measures include the creation of an open work permit stream for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders in the US. Furthermore, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser said, they can now apply for a Canadian work permit as well as study or work permit options for accompanying family members.
“The new H1-B specialty occupation visa holder work permit will be available as of July 16, 2023. 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,” an official government release explained.
Moreover, in June Canada created its first occupation-specific draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers to immigrate. Apart from this, the total number of ITAs (invitation to apply) issued under the country’s flagship Express Entry system has risen to 60,249 for this year. However, an additional 1,500 ITA are also slated to be issued coming week.
Reached the Cap
As per reports, Canada had a cap of 10,000 applicants which has already been reached.
What does the scheme holds?
H1-B visa holders in the US can get an open work permit to Canada under the scheme.
The open work permit allows successful applicants to live, study or work in Canada for three years.
Applicants do not need a job offer or a college acceptance from Canada to apply for the scheme.
Moreover, spouses and dependents of the applicants will also be able to live, study or work for three years under the program.
The scheme was supposed to either run for one year or till the quota of 10,000 applicants was reached. The cap of 10,000 applicants does not include family members of the primary applicants.
Canada’s Big Plans
Canada is strategizing and planning new schemes to become World leader in a variety of new unfold technologies. Further, the country aims to employ professionals affected by massive layoffs.
