Immigration , Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been asked to extend the work permit program launched last month.

On July 16th, 2023, Canada introduces a new fast-track work-permit program that targeted 10,000 non-citizen tech workers in the U.S. to relocate to Canada. That target was achieved in the first 48 hours.

Canada launched this new open work permit stream specifically designed for H-1B visa holders from the United States. This initiative enabled up to 10,000 H-1B visa holders to work for any employer in Canada who is not banned from hiring foreign workers . Now, IRCC has been asked by Canadian tech employers to extend this program.

The Canadian tech workforce numbers about 1.2 million people. The tech sector accounts for more than five per cent of the Canadian economy. Extending the open work permit pathway for US H-1B visa holders will be an opportunity to further increase Canada’s population of tech workers.

Source: Toronto Star