American Techies Are Moving to Canada

Emmet McGonagle

Nov 20, 2023

Tech layoffs across the US are motivating techies to move to the Great White North, with more than 6,000 H-1B skilled worker visa holders arriving in Canada as of October this year, according to CNBC.


This comes after the Canadian government launched a pilot program on 16 July which allowed 10,000 American H-1B visa holders to apply for a three-year open work permit in Canada. The program reached capacity the following day.


According to the American H-1B program, any skilled workers using this visa have 60 days to find a new employer or transfer visa status if they lose their job. Otherwise, they face being deported from Canada.


Canada’s tech sector has quickly gained momentum in recent years,
growing 15.7% since 2020 compared to just 11.4% in America.


On the topic,
Evan Sohn, chief executive officer at Aura by Bain & Company, celebrated Canada's strategic response to America’s tech layoffs, which have seen companies including Amazon and Microsoft getting rid of techies in their masses.


“The Canadian government's approach underscores its position as a top destination for international talent, reflecting its competitive edge on the global stage,” Evan said via LinkedIn. 


“This shift raises important questions about the U.S.'s ability to retain top global talent and the future dynamics of the North American tech industry.”


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