愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Canada is launching a work permit for U.S. H-1B holders. Here's what you need to know

Canadian and American flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada-USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke Canadian and American flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada-USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke
Share

As of Sunday, the federal government has opened up applications for a new work permit for foreign workers living in the U.S. to move to Canada.

Foreign nationals living in the U.S. with an H-1B visa can now apply to work and live in Canada as the federal government begins to roll out measures of its new strategy to attract tech workers.

The H-1B specialty occupation visa holder work permit was announced in June along with , including the creation of an express entry program for workers employed or trained to work in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) sectors.

With the application process officially opened, here鈥檚 what applicants need to know.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The H-1B visa program is specifically for highly educated individuals working in or trained to work in a specialty occupation. These jobs often require additional education like a bachelor's degree or certification or licence required to work in that specialty occupation.

Holders of this visa can live and work in the U.S. for three years and a max of up to six years on exception, as well as their spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21.

While, Canada鈥檚 new program for U.S. H-1B visa holders was announced in part of the federal government鈥檚 aggressive plan to attract workers in the technology sector, the program is open to any holder of a U.S. H-1B visa despite their job field.

Previous jobs approved by the have included software engineers, graphic designers, electrical engineers as well as physicians, teachers, and therapists.

Successful applicants of the program will be able to get an open work permit to live and work in Canada for up to three years. The Canadian work permit won鈥檛 be revoked if the permit holder gets laid off or quits their job, unlike the U.S. H-1B, which requires workers to find a new job within 60 days or leave the country.

However there is no possibility for extension, although permit holders can try and apply through another program after the three-year period.

Similar to the U.S. H-1B visa, the Canadian pathway will also allow the spouses, common-law partner and/or children of a temporary worker to live and work in Canada for the granted time period.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

Interested applicants can apply through the by submitting the following documents; a copy of their current H-1B visa, a Notice of Action form that confirms when the U.S. government approved their workers permit and proof of U.S. residency.

The application also costs C$155 and successful applicants will be notified in approximately six weeks if they have been approved.

Once approved, the IRCC says a 鈥減ort of entry letter of introduction鈥 will be sent to the applicant detailing how long they can work in Canada and under what conditions.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says there are currently 400,000 H-1B visa holders in the U.S. but the temporary policy will only accepts applicants for one year or until 10,000 applications are received, whichever comes first.

With files from CTVNews.ca鈥檚 Jennifer Ferreira and Phil Hahn.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Trump's Madison Square Garden event features crude and racist insults

Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York鈥檚 Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.

The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.鈥檚 nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party鈥檚 chances of clinching a third term.

A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.

A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.

Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.

Local Spotlight

The Westfield & District Recreation Association hosted its first Witches and Warlocks on the Water event Saturday, with costumed paddlers in pointed hats launching from Westfield Beach.

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Stay Connected