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ARTICLE · 21 AUGUST 2023

Canada's Work Permit Program For U.S. H-1B Visa Holders Maxes Out In 48 Hours, As U.S. Conducts Second H-1B Lottery

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On July 18, 2023, Canada's newly announced program offering open work permits to holders of U.S. H-1B visas closed after it reached the maximum number of applicants...

GlobalImmigration
María E. Ferré
María E. Ferré
Grace Shie
Grace Shie
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On July 18, 2023, Canada's newly announced program offering open work permits to holders of U.S. H-1B visas closed after it reached the maximum number of applicants – less than two days after its launch. Under the Canadian government's "Tech Talent Strategy," ten thousand open work permits have been made available to foreign nationals who hold H-1B specialty occupation visas from the United States. The program is intended to improve the mobility of high-tech talent in North America by expanding the options for H-1B holders facing long waits for U.S. permanent residency (i.e., green cards). While the popularity of Canada's program was widely expected, the speed with which the 10,000-permit limit was reached underscores the high demand for labor mobility in North America among employers and employees alike.

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