Canada: The Smart Choice for Global Talent
President Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee is pushing U.S. companies to rethink their talent strategies overnight. For corporations, the answer is clear: Canada offers a faster, more cost-effective gateway to critical skills.
Through the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Canada provides streamlined, business-focused pathways to bring in highly skilled professionals. These programs allow corporations to remain competitive, meet project deadlines, and scale operations without the unpredictability of the U.S. system.
While Canada must continue fine-tuning immigration levels and pathways, the framework is already here for forward-thinking companies to near-shore, expand, and thrive. By acting now, businesses can turn today’s disruption into a strategic advantage, positioning Canada as the natural hub for innovation and growth.
What Corporations Need to Know
Canada already has business-focused pathways to help companies act decisively:
- 1. International Mobility Program (IMP): Enables corporations to bring in key foreign talent without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) where clear benefits to Canada exist.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Offers access to international talent in areas of acute shortage while maintaining strong labour protections.
- Specialized Streams: Targeted categories in tech, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and green energy provide pathways for critical roles.
- Knowledge Transfer: Employers can pair Canadian professionals with international specialists to build long-term domestic capacity.
By leveraging these tools, corporations can stay agile, meet market demands, and turn disruption into a competitive advantage.
Conclusion: Precision Over Paralysis
Near-shoring is no longer a slow-moving trend, it is a strategic imperative accelerated by Trump’s H-1B fee.
Canada has both a chance and a responsibility:
• The chance to attract globally scarce talent and secure contracts moving out of the U.S.
• The responsibility to keep immigration and labour pathways flexible enough for corporations to succeed.
For companies, the message is clear: Canada is open for business, and equipped with the International Mobility Program and Temporary Foreign Worker Program to deliver results.
For comprehensive legal analysis or strategic case support, contact Greenberg Hameed PC.
The content of this bulletin is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on as legal advice.