On June 27, the Immigration Minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, declared the IRCC will be unveiling its tech talent strategy to attract global tech talent to Canada. 

These tech measures include: 

  • New innovation stream under IMP, i.e., International Mobility Program.
  • Enticing digital nomads
  • Improving labor mobility in North America by creating a streamlined work permit for H1-B speciality profession visa holders. 
  • Enhancement to existing tech programs, like Start-up Visa, Global Skills Strategy, etc. 

 

New Innovation Stream Under IMP 

In order to launch its tech talent strategy, IRCC plans to develop an innovation stream under IMP to attract incredibly talented tech individuals to deal with the acute labor shortages in crucial tech professions, thus broadening the country’s talent base. 

The launch is expected to take place by the end of this year. In addition, the stream will be exempt from the LMIA process, which will help employers as well as workers to support Canada’s priorities for tech sectors & industries.

IRCC is considering two options: 

  • Open work permits for up to five years for skilled professionals in selected in-demand professions. 
  • Employer-specific work permits for over five years for professionals who have to work for a company/ industry recognized by the Canadian government as contributing to the overall industrial innovation goal. 

 

Talent Tech Strategy: Attracting Digital Nomads 

IRCC plans to promote Canada for digital nomads by collaborating with public as well as private partners. This is to determine if additional policies would be beneficial to the country or not. 

Under the present Canadian immigration laws, a digital nomad can only be in Canada for up to six months while remotely working for a foreign employer. IRCC hopes these digital nomads will decide to reside in Canada & look for employment opportunities with Canadian employers. 

 

Improvements To Existing Tech Programs 

IRCC is improving Canada’s existing tech program to benefit workers in high-skilled tech professions. 

The Global Skills Strategy is specifically designed to help Canadian employers seek access to incredibly skilled international talent. Moreover, the processing time for this strategy’s work permit applications returns to regular processing times. 

Furthermore, ESDC, i.e., Employment & Social Development Canada, is meeting its two-week standard for processing LMIAs along with IRCC, which is meeting this standard for work permit applications. 

The Start-Up Visa offers a path to PR for international entrepreneurs who get the support of a Canadian venture capital fund, business incubator, or an angel investor organization for their start-up. 

In addition, extra spots were allocated under this program to address the long wait times for applicants. This implies that targets have tripled the number of permanent inhabitants expected in the Federal Business Category this year & are expected to increase in 2024 & 2025.

IRCC is changing the temporary work permit for such applicants, thus allowing them to apply for an open work permit of up to three years instead of one year, which limits them to work only for their startup.   

The work permit will be accessible to every entrepreneurial team member, wherein members identified as vital & urgently needed in Canada can apply. 

Finally, IRCC will also prioritize applications for which the committed capital supports or is endorsed by business incubators. 

 

Work Permit For H1-B Specialty Profession Visa Holders 

Many people who work in high-tech fields are recruited by companies having more extensive operations in both Canada & the US. In addition, those working in the US typically have an H1-B speciality profession visa. 

As of July 16, the visa holders in the US & their families will be eligible to arrive in Canada. These applicants will obtain an open work permit for up to three years, implying they can work for almost any employer nationwide. In addition, dependents & spouses will also be able to apply for TRV with study & work permits, if required. 

This measure/ strategy will be in effect for one year or until IRCC receives 10,000 applications. Only principal applicants will count towards this number without their families. 

 

Other Pathways To Immigrate To Canada As A Tech Worker 

In addition to the programs offered in tech talent strategy, there are other immigration & work permit programs which are tailored to international tech workers. 

  • Express Entry Category-Based Draws 

At the end of May, the immigration minister of Canada, Sean Fraser announced the launch of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates. Applicants with strong French language proficiency/ relevant work experience in specific fields will be given priority by IRCC. 

The fields are: 

  • STEM Professions 
  • Healthcare
  • Trades
  • Transport
  • Agriculture/ Agri-Food 

There are almost 24 eligible STEM professions for category-based draws. In addition, a report released by Statistics Canada revealed that at the end of 2022, there was a gap in skills required in the STEM labor force in Canada. 

On July 5, the first category-based draw took place for STEM professions. Over 500 applicants in these occupations were sent ITAs, i.e., Invitation To Apply for PR. 

In category-based draws, IRCC invites top-ranking applicants eligible for a particular category who can help fulfill the economic goal of Canada along with labor & job market vacancies. Well, these draws will take place alongside other Express Entry draws. 

CRS i.e., Comprehensive Ranking System is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. CRS is a point-based system wherein applicants are ranked based on age, education, language skills, work experience, etc. Even if an applicant is suitable for a particular category, they must still meet IRCC’s minimum CRS score to obtain an ITA for a specific draw.      

  • Tech Provincial Nominee Program Streams 

PNP enables territories as well as provinces to create their immigration pathways depending upon the labor market & economic goals of the province. In addition, these territories & provinces will nominate foreign skilled professionals for immigrating to the provinces via PNP. 

However, some provinces have particular streams for professionals in the tech industry. 

The AATP, i.e., Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is an immigration program for tech workers/ professionals with an Express Entry profile. If an applicant is presently working or has a job offer, they can begin with the application process under this pathway. 

The BC PNP, i.e., British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program tech was established in 2017 in response to the rapidly growing demand for talent in the technological sector. This program was made permanent in 2021. BC PNP issues weekly invitations to qualified candidates who have a valid job/ employment offer in one of the 29 tech professions. In addition, the job offer must also be full-time, with an eligible employer in the province for at least one year. 

  • Quebec’s Facilitated Processing Stream 

Employers in Quebec can recruit temporary foreign skilled professionals who are eligible/ suitable under specific target professions via Facilitated Processing Stream. This stream allows employers to benefit from waiving a few requirements which are generally required under LMIA. 

Quebec’s facilitated professions list consists of all categories/ classifications of professions eligible for TFWP, i.e., Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Most of these professions are in the tech industry.