Canada Unveils Fast-Track H-1B Pathway as US Fee Hike Pushes Talent Northward

Canada has announced a new fast-track immigration pathway for professionals holding US H-1B visas, positioning itself as a destination of choice at a time when the United States is making it more expensive and difficult for skilled foreign workers to stay. The move arrives shortly after Washington’s introduction of a steep one-time fee of around USD 100,000 for new H-1B applications, a policy shift that has unsettled thousands of workers—many of them Indian—across the American tech sector.

Ottawa’s new initiative, revealed as part of its 2025 federal budget, is built around the International Talent Attraction Strategy. Officials say the intention is straightforward: to convert global uncertainty into a national advantage by offering a stable, innovation-driven environment for high-skilled workers who may no longer see long-term opportunities in the US.

The plan targets shortages in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, scientific research, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology. With tech companies in the US increasingly opting to hire domestic workers following policy directives, Canada is positioning itself as a natural landing spot for displaced or uncertain H-1B professionals—especially the large Indian workforce that relies on the visa for employment security.

Canada’s budget outlines an ambitious multi-year commitment of CA$1.7 billion to attract more than 1,000 international researchers and high-skilled talent. Under this strategy:

• CA$1 billion over 13 years will go to three federal research funding agencies to establish an Accelerated Research Chairs Programme.

• CA$400 million over seven years is earmarked for equipment and infrastructure through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

• CA$133.6 million over three years will support international PhD students and post-doctoral fellows relocating to Canada.

• Up to CA$120 million over 12 years will help universities recruit international assistant professors.

In parallel, the government plans to invest CA$97 million in a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund to ensure foreign-trained professionals—particularly in healthcare and construction—can integrate into the workforce faster.

These measures are not only a response to tightening American rules but also a reflection of the global competition for skilled labour. As several countries raise visa thresholds and restrict migration flows, Canada is attempting to widen its doors while reinforcing its innovation economy.

For Indian professionals navigating uncertainty in the US, the new pathway signals a promising alternative. By combining funding, mobility, and credential recognition, Canada is sending a clear message: talented workers are welcome, and opportunities are expanding in sectors that need them most.