Ottawa, June 28: Canada Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on Tuesday announced that the government will create an open work-permit stream to allow 10,000 American H-1B visa holders to come and work in the country. In an official release, Canadaโ€™s Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship said the program will also provide for study or work permits for the family members of H-1B visa holders.

โ€œThousands of workers in high-tech fields are employed with companies that have large operations in both Canada and the US, and those working in the US often hold an H-1B speciality occupation visa. As of July 16, 2023, H-1B speciality occupation visa holders in the US, and their accompanying immediate family members, will be eligible to apply to come to Canada,โ€ the release read.ย Canadian Visa: Indian Students Must Sign Mandatory Clause Before Visa, Says Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce.

The approved applicants under the new decision will receive an open work permit of up to three years in duration. โ€œThey will be able to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Their spouses and dependants will also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa, with a work or study permit, as needed,โ€ said the release.

According to Canada-based, CBC News, Fraser said that by the end of this year, the federal government will be developing an immigration stream for some of the worldโ€™s most talented people that will be able to come to Canada to work for tech companies, irrespective of having a job or not. However, the Immigration minister did not explain exactly who will qualify or how many people will be admitted to the stream.ย Titanic Submarine Tragedy: Canada Launches Probe Into Titan Submersible Implosion That Killed Five.

H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to temporarily work in the US in certain specialized occupations, including the technology sector. Tech companies went on a hiring binge during the pandemic but have since started laying people off in large numbers. Thatโ€™s left a lot of H-1B visa holders scrambling to find new jobs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2023 10:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).