Recent changes to United States immigration policies have made Canada a very attractive option for high-tech immigrants. Many highly skilled and educated people who would have previously desired to move to Silicon Valley now see Canada as a desirable destination. The U.S. has recently announced plans to review and change its policies for H-1B visas for skilled workers and encourage the hiring of American workers.
Canada has been actively recruiting skilled and educated immigrants to help build the Canadian economy and create jobs:
- IRCC recently approved the pilot Start-Up Visa Program to encourage entrepreneur immigrants and the Start-up Visa program will become permanent in 2018.
- Canada is developing tech entrepreneurs on the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor and in Vancouver.
- Canada's Global Skills program initiated a Global Talent Stream program to issue work permits and temporary resident visas in two weeks versus of the current year.
- Ontario plans to launch an ad campaign targeting Silicon Valley in 2017.
- MaRS is a public-private partnership between Canadian tech companies and the Ontario government to create a physical space where made-in-Canada tech ventures can thrive and to attract highly-skilled immigrants.
Calgary immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah believes Canada is a highly desirable destination for high-tech immigrants:
Our quality of life and values in Canada are very appealing to skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs who want to move to Canada. Our cost of living, education system and healthcare are competitive or better than those in the U.S. I look forward to working with skilled immigrants from around the globe who want to move to Canada to work or build their business and help build a stronger Canada.
