{"id":2846,"date":"2025-10-27T16:55:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/?p=2846"},"modified":"2025-10-27T16:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:55:15","slug":"rising-u-s-h-1b-costs-make-canada-the-go-to-destination-for-it-professionals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/rising-u-s-h-1b-costs-make-canada-the-go-to-destination-for-it-professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising U.S. H-1B Costs Make Canada the Go To Destination for IT Professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/10\/canada-global-talent-stream-h1b-alternative-it-professionals-1024x686.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/10\/canada-global-talent-stream-h1b-alternative-it-professionals-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/10\/canada-global-talent-stream-h1b-alternative-it-professionals-980x656.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/10\/canada-global-talent-stream-h1b-alternative-it-professionals-480x321.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4><strong>As the U.S. makes it harder to hire foreign tech workers, Canada\u2019s Global Talent Stream stands out as the best alternative for employers and skilled workers.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>On September 19, President Trump announced a <strong>$100,000 USD government <\/strong>fee for H-1B petitions. This applies to the 2026 lottery and all new H-1B petitions submitted after that date.<\/p>\n<p>For years, the U.S. has been the top destination for international tech professionals through the H-1B visa program. However, with higher costs, more risks and growing uncertainty, many employers are rethinking their options and skilled workers are now looking north, specifically to Canada\u2019s <strong>Global Talent Steam (GTS).<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Why Canada\u2019s Global Talent Stream Stands Out<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>No immigration pathway is ever simple, but the <strong>GTS<\/strong> offers clear advantages over the H1-B program:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lower costs:<\/strong> Canadian Employers <strong>pay $1,000 CAD per worker<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Processing:<\/strong> The GTS can be approved within <strong>two weeks.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>No Lottery:<\/strong> If the role qualifies, the application moves forward.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Predictability:<\/strong> Employers and workers know where they stand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Global Talent Stream is an expedited Labour Marker Impact Assessment (LMIA) and part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. \u00a0This type of LMIA does not require extensive advertisement, as long as the employer can show efforts to hire from the local Canadian pool of candidates.\u00a0 The GTS program is suitable for companies that are innovative and require highly unique and specialized talent to help companies scale up and grow or skilled IT workers in a particular predetermined list of occupations. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the GTS does not directly grant permanent residency, it serves as a strong entry point. Many skilled workers can later secure Canadian Permanent Residency through programs like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, which are options the U.S. does not offer.<\/p>\n<p>For employers, this makes hiring simpler and more affordable. For skilled workers, it provides stability and realistic long-term opportunity.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Canadian Cities Competing with Silicon Valley<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Aside from immigration policies, Canadian cities are growing as places where tech workers and companies can thrive.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Toronto<\/strong> has become one of North America\u2019s fastest growing tech hubs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vancouver<\/strong> is internationally recognized in video games, VFX, and clean tech.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Montreal <\/strong>is a world leader in AI and machine learning.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Waterloo, Ottawa, and Calgary <\/strong>are attracting new companies, startups, and investment every year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Together, these cities are positioning Canada as <strong>serious competitors to Silicon Valley<\/strong> and offering skilled workers and employers more options.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Reality and The Opportunity <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While Canada\u2019s Global Talent Stream offers clear advantages, it is not an <em>\u201ceasy\u201d<\/em> pathway. Employers must meet strict program requirements, and skilled workers must also qualify.<\/p>\n<p>Every application requires careful strategy, thorough preparation, and long-term planning. This is where <strong>experienced<\/strong> Canadian legal guidance makes all the difference. View more details on our site <a href=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/canadian-immigration\/work-and-study-permits\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At <strong>Pilkington Law Firm<\/strong>, we work with employers and skilled workers who qualify under Canada\u2019s programs. Our team helps you navigate the process with confidence and clarity.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a> today to book a consultation and find out if you\u2019re eligible under the Global Talent Stream.<\/h3>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the U.S. makes it harder to hire foreign tech workers, Canada\u2019s Global Talent Stream stands out as the best alternative for employers and skilled workers. On September 19, President Trump announced a $100,000 USD government fee for H-1B petitions. This applies to the 2026 lottery and all new H-1B petitions submitted after that date. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1677\" src=\"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/04\/PGWP-300x251-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"251\" \/>\n\nAs of April 6, 2023, those who are currently or formerly on a Post- Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) could be eligible for an 18 month Open Work Permit. Those who wish to apply will have until December 31, 2023.\n\nThe benefit for this Open Work Permit is that it grants the individual the ability to work any job and for any employer in Canada for up to 18 additional months.\n\nAs per IRCC, eligible candidates will be able to:\n<ul>\n \t<li>opt into a simplified process to extend their work permit, or<\/li>\n \t<li>apply to extend their work permit, or<\/li>\n \t<li>apply to restore their status and get a new work permit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEven if a candidate is not eligible to opt in, they can still apply for a work permit.\n\nSee <a href=\"https:\/\/t.sidekickopen60.com\/s3t\/c\/5\/f18dQhb0V1-gmb8cp8kBW25MZTD59hl3kW7_k2841CX6NGW35QNyY2PynM_W7vZ0Py8kpgz-f197v5Y04?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-3F4FzJW3H34sw3yML2qW1Lyz5B3S-qPyW4fJg0T1GHbGRW4hFZJc4cfK-XW4fJg-S41Y76NW45lYRp49SzG1W3K96C743WgprW3F4FzJ3H34yvW3K8Qz94ff6B5W4cQ9YB49HRfrW3zhs7S41p1cXW49MW8W3K8Qz9W4fdgXX3ZTPLWw4cg7Ws9x12&amp;si=8000000016645336&amp;pi=1b369650-4437-45f0-83d7-642df18d96a2\">IRCC website<\/a> for more information on this opportunity.\n\nIRCC has emailed those who may be eligible for the process to extend their work permit. The message comes from an email that ends in @cic.gc.ca or @notifications.canada.ca. IRCC notes that such individuals must take action before May 20, 2023 and apply before their work permit expires.\n\nTo be eligible for the simplified process, you must:\n\n1)\u00a0Reside in Canada\n\n2)\u00a0Log into your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/t.sidekickopen60.com\/s3t\/c\/5\/f18dQhb0V1-gmb8cp8kBW25MZTD59hl3kW7_k2841CX6NGW35QNyY2PynM_W7vZ0Py8kpgz-f197v5Y04?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-3F4FzJW3H34sw3yML2qW1Lyz5B3S-qPyW4fJg0T1GHbGRW4hFZJc4cfK-XW4fJg-S41Y76NW45lYRp49SzG1W3K96BL45S_3cW3F4G5h43TwfrW3F5tD341Yswq4S6TW1&amp;si=8000000016645336&amp;pi=1b369650-4437-45f0-83d7-642df18d96a2\">IRCC Secure Account<\/a>\u00a0to:\n<ul>\n \t<li>ensure that your mailing address is up to date<\/li>\n \t<li>confirm your passport information is up to date and has an expiration date of June 2025 or later, and<\/li>\n \t<li>opt in for up to an additional 18 months<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIf you do not have an account, you will need to register for an IRCC Secure Account and link your most recent PGWP application to your account before May 20, 2023.\n\nAbout the Open Work Permit extension:\n\nRecently, Canada\u2019s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser announced that the IRCC would enable those who are eligible as former or current PGWP holders access to a new Open Work Permit.\n\nTypically a PGWP is non-renewable, and those with an expiring PGWP would have to find another way to remain in the country or leave. However, Fraser indicated the purpose of this initiative will help employers in Canada address their labour shortages and provide PGWP holders time to potentially consider permanent residency. PGWPs allow eligible international graduates to work for up to 3 years after they complete their studies in the country. The ultimate length of the PGWP depends on the length of the completed program of study. \u00a0PGWPs are of high interest as they allow graduates to build their eligibility for permanent residency.\n\nMajority of Canada\u2019s economic class immigration programs reward candidates who have Canadian work experience since Stats Canada shows the experience supports the labour market integration upon gaining permanent residence. This shows why Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and other economic class pathways provide more points and or dedicated streams to those with experience in Canada. In 2022, Canada hosted a record 800,000 international students. Nearly 98,000 PGWP holders transitioned to permanent residence last year, accounting for over 80% of all temporary residents who transitioned to PR.\n\nWhen this announcement was made, IRCC suggested there were over 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada at the end of 2022. The department estimates nearly 127,000 PGWPs will expire in 2023. However approximately 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for PR, and would not need to apply for a new Open Work Permit.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-events"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Staff","author_link":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/author\/brian\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2846"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2849,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846\/revisions\/2849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilkingtonimmigration.com\/north-bay-on\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}