New Delhi, June 28
Canada will create an open work permit stream to allow 10,000 H-1B visa holders to come and work in the US, benefiting thousands of Indian tech professionals.
Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said one of the programs is specifically aimed at the United States. “H-1B open work permits of up to three years will be available by July 16. Spouses and dependents of such visa holders are eligible for temporary resident visas to work or study,” the Canadian government said in a release. .
Attracts skilled workers from the US
- The H-1B nonimmigrant visa allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in jobs that require technical expertise.
- Canada is hoping to attract professionals affected by massive layoffs at US tech companies
Thousands of highly skilled foreign workers, including Indians in the US, have lost their jobs in the recent spate of layoffs by companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon. According to US media reports, nearly two lakh IT workers have been laid off since November last year.
Experts say 30 to 40 percent of skilled workers are Indians, and a significant number of them are on H-1B and L1 visas.
