Canada Moves to Welcome Skilled Workers Excluded By New U.S. H-1B Visa Fee

Mati Lio
Oct 7
4 min read

Canada welcomes H-1B tech workers from the USA

Canada’s Open Door

Canada is signaling readiness to attract skilled workers who may be deterred by the United States’ newly imposed $100,000 fee on fresh H-1B visa applications.

Several media outlets reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested Ottawa will soon present “an offering” to welcome talent who might otherwise face barriers in the U.S.

While the details are not yet official, the remark highlights how Canada could use this moment to strengthen its immigration strategy and secure global talent.

Canada already hosts over 70,000 skilled immigrants annually, and tech hubs such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Waterloo are experiencing rapid demand for software engineers, data scientists, and research professionals. With the U.S. imposing high fees, Canada’s relative accessibility could significantly increase these inflows.

What Changed in the U.S.

On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation introducing a supplemental $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. EDT, September 21.

Key facts confirmed by U.S. government sources:

The fee does not apply to renewals or existing H-1B holders.

It applies only to new petitions filed after the effective date.

The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security may grant exemptions in “national interest” cases.

Globally, the U.S. receives over 300,000 H-1B applications annually, with Indian professionals representing roughly 70% of new approvals, making this fee particularly impactful for Indian tech talent.

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Why Canada Sees an Opening

Canada has long positioned itself as a global magnet for skilled professionals. With U.S. costs rising sharply, Canadian cities see a chance to attract highly trained workers—especially in tech, research, and engineering.

Media reports quoting Carney suggest that Ottawa may:

Fast-track work permits for displaced H-1B applicants.

Provide permanent residency pathways for high-demand professionals.

Offer employer incentives to hire or relocate talent to Canada.

Current Canadian labor statistics indicate over 50,000 unfilled positions in tech and engineering, suggesting that a focused immigration strategy could fill gaps and accelerate economic growth.

H-1B visa fee changes affect tech jobs in tech companies and tech workers in the U.S.

International Competition

Canada isn’t alone. The UK, Germany, and Australia have updated visa frameworks to welcome tech and research talent. The U.S. fee creates new urgency, and Canada could seize the advantage by offering a North American alternative to Silicon Valley.

Comparatively, average tech salaries in Canada are competitive, with a growing ecosystem of startups and multinational companies offering relocation packages, making Canada increasingly attractive versus the cost-prohibitive U.S. option.

What Remains Unclear

As of now, the Canadian government has not published an official policy document on this proposed offering. Open questions include:

Whether a new visa category will be created or existing ones adjusted.

How quickly Ottawa could act given immigration backlogs.

Which professions would be targeted—tech only, or a broader group of skilled workers?

The Bigger Picture

If Canada does roll out a concrete policy, the potential outcomes include:

Stronger recruitment of tech and research talent.

Boosts for innovation, healthcare, and engineering sectors.

Greater immigration inflows from India and other H-1B-heavy countries.

For the U.S., this could result in a brain drain, especially if top talent opts for Canada over paying prohibitive fees. Economically, Canada could see billions in added GDP from retained and incoming global talent over the next 3–5 years.

Join the Conversation

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📌 Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. All details on the U.S. H-1B fee are based on official government sources (USCIS and the White House). The Canadian perspective is based on media reporting of remarks attributed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, not an official Government of Canada release. As of publication, no formal Canadian immigration policy document has been issued on this matter. This article does not constitute immigration, legal, or financial advice.