Canada is launching new initiatives to draw in skilled tech professionals, following the US’s implementation of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.
Budget 2025, presented to the parliament, includes an immigration levels plan for 2026–2028, aiming to become a leading destination for global talent by actively attracting the best students and professionals from around the world.
Canada is focusing on prioritizing highly skilled workers in critical sectors such as emerging technologies, health care, and skilled trades.
The International Talent Attraction Strategy and Action Plan will position the immigration system to meet strategic labour market needs, ensuring Canada has the talent required to drive innovation and growth in strategic industries, while maintaining immigration targets to ensure a sustainable immigration rate.
Canada’s strategy focuses on attracting talent to vital sectors to bolster the economy, ensuring efficient processing and application procedures, and promoting itself as an ideal destination for skilled individuals, entrepreneurs, and start-ups. The plan includes establishing clear routes to permanent residency to retain essential temporary workers and recent graduates.
While presenting the 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said, “By building a well-managed and sustainable immigration system, we will work with employers, provinces and territories to attract top global talent and grow our economy, while staying within our capacity to welcome and integrate those who choose Canada as their home. Canada will continue to prioritize economic immigration, with nearly 65% of new permanent residents supporting our labour market needs and growth by 2027.”
The Federal Business Class in Canada focuses on attracting skilled talent to bolster economic growth, featuring the Start-Up Visa program for high-growth companies and the Self-employed Persons program for exceptional artists and athletes. In 2024, these programs welcomed 7,635 individuals.