H-1B Visa News: Canada announces fast-track H-1B pathway amid US fee hike, Indians likely to gain

The Canadian government is launching an accelerated immigration pathway specifically for holders of US H-1B visas, as part of its 2025 federal budget aimed at attracting high-skilled talent and responding to recent changes in US immigration policies, according to a report in CIC News. This could be a relief for Indians with H-1B visas as they face a job crisis in the US with companies hiring locals after the Trump administration’s directive.

The Canadian programme targets workforce shortages in vital industries while promoting nationwide innovation.

With companies in the US hiring Americans, Canada has sensed an opportunity to attract foreign talent. The H-1B visa is a favourite of tech professionals.

In September, Canadian PM Mark Carney said Ottawa “sees Trump’s $100K (approximately) H-1B fee as an opportunity to attract skilled workers“.

“Not as many H-1B holders will get visas in the US. These are skilled people — an opportunity for Canada,” Carney said. “We’ll have an offering soon,” he declared then.

Canada’s initiative, framed under the broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, is designed to draw professionals — particularly those impacted by the US policy change that imposes a one-time $100,000 (approximately Rs 88 lakh) fee on new H1B visa applications. The move will bring relief to Indian professionals, as the H1B visa is the most sought-after visa among techies and other professionals.

According to the Canadian government’s budget documents, the key aims include strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem, filling labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare, research, and advanced industries, and recognising foreign credentials more rapidly, CIC News reported.

CANADA COMMITS 1.7 BILLION CANADIAN DOLLARS TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL TALENT

According to the plan, the government will invest up to Canadian Dollar (CA) $1.7 billion (approximately 10,370 crore) in a one-time initiative to recruit more than 1,000 international researchers, CIC reported this week.

CA $1 billion over 13 years will be allocated to Canada’s three major research funding bodies — the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) — to establish a new Accelerated Research Chairs programme.

CA $400 million over 7 years to provide equipment and infrastructure through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

CA $133.6 million over 3 years to help international PhD students and post-doctoral fellows relocate to Canada.

Up to CA $120 million over 12 years to assist universities in recruiting international assistant professors.

CANADA MOVES TO INTEGRATE FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS AS US HIKES H1B VISA

Parallelly, the budget introduces CA $97 million over five years (starting 2026-27) to establish the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund, enabling provinces and territories to more quickly integrate foreign-trained professionals — with a priority in the healthcare and construction sectors.

The new pathway signals a broader shift in global talent competition: as the United States tightens costs and restrictions on skilled immigration, Canada is repositioning itself as a viable destination for global professionals seeking stability and innovation-driven employment.

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