Canada Unveiled Its Revolutionary and First-Ever Tech Talent Strategy

On June 27, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled programs to draw international tech talent to Canada. The country in order to revolutionize the nation’s technology economy, just unveiled its first-ever Tech Talent Strategy. With the help of top tech talent from around the globe, this approach will strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in technological innovation.

Canada’s First Tech Talent Strategy

These technological measures include:

• Adding a new innovation stream to the International Mobility Programme (IMP);
• Attracting digital nomads;
• Streamlining the H1-B specialty occupation visa holder work permit process and;
• Improving already existing tech initiatives like the Global Skills Strategy and the Start-up Visa.

One of the key pillars of Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy is a renewed focus on enhancing tech education and research. The government recognizes the critical role that education plays in nurturing a highly skilled workforce and fostering technological advancements. Also, to implement this strategy, major investments will be made in research centers of world-class, academic programs, and industry-academic collaborations.

Attracting Global Tech Talent

Canada is constantly pursuing top talent from around the world in order to keep a competitive edge in the global digital environment. As a result, the IT Talent Strategy unveils a number of measures to facilitate skilled workers’ immigration to Canada and their involvement in the country’s IT sector.

New Innovation Stream Under the IMP

In order to address the labor shortages in critical tech vocations and increase Canada’s talent pool, IRCC wants to create a new innovation stream under the IMP.

By the end of 2023, the launch is scheduled to take place. With the stream being exempt from the LMIA procedure, firms and employees will be able to support Canada’s priorities for the IT sector. IRCC is weighing two possibilities:

• Employer-specific work permits valid for up to five years for employees who will work for businesses that the Canadian government has selected as supporting the purpose of industrial innovation.
• For highly trained employees in certain in-demand professions, open work permits may be granted for up to five years.

Global Talent Stream

Canada’s Global Talent Stream initiative, a key component of the Tech Talent Strategy, enables employers to bring in foreign workers with specialized skills and expertise. This program offers expedited visa processing and work permit approvals, allowing companies to quickly access the talent they need to fuel their technological advancements.

Tech Startup Visa

Recognizing the pivotal role of startups in driving innovation, Canada has introduced the Tech Startup Visa program. With the potential to generate jobs and strengthen Canada’s digital environment, this plan makes it easier for international business owners to relocate there.

H1-B Visa Holders With Specialty Occupations May Work

Companies with significant operations in both Canada and the US employ thousands of workers in high-tech industries, and many of them have H1-B specialist occupation visas.

Starting on July 16, US citizens with H1-B specialized visas and their accompanying family members will be able to enter Canada. These applicants will be given an open work visa, which enables them to employment with almost any employer in Canada for up to three years. Spouses and dependents are also eligible to apply for a temporary residence visa with an employment and study permit if needed.

Draws Based on Express Entry Categories

Sean Fraser made the announcement about the beginning of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates at the end of May. IRCC will offer particular consideration to Express Entry candidates with strong French language skills or professional experience in the following fields:

• Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) trades
• Healthcare industry,
• carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
• Transport
• Farming and agri-food

For category-based draws, there are over 24 STEM-related occupations that are eligible, and Statistics Canada published a report at the end of 2022 stating that there is a skills shortage in the Canadian STEM labour force.