📋 Tender Overview
Canadas high-growth industries will provide the jobs of the future and companies need access to top talent that will fuel innovation and drive emerging technologies forward.Today at Collision 2023 the Honourable Sean Fraser Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship launched Canadas first-ever Tech Talent Strategy. This new strategy includes new measures and improvements on existing measures to help businesses in Canada thrive in a competitive landscape. As part of Canadas first-ever Tech Talent Strategy Minister Fraser announced the following aggressive attraction measuresthe creation of an open work permit stream for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders in the US to apply for a Canadian work permit and study or work permit options for their accompanying family membersthe development of an Innovation Stream under to the International Mobility Program to attract highly talented individuals options for which includeemployer-specific work permits for up to five years for workers destined to work for a company identified by the Government of Canada as contributing to our industrial innovation goalsopen work permits for up to five years for highly skilled workers in select in-demand occupationsa return to the 14-day service standard for work permits under the Global Skills Strategythe promotion of Canada as a destination for digital nomadsthe creation of a STEM-specific draw under category-based selection to issue additional invitations to apply under the Express Entry programimprovements to the Start-up Visa ProgramWe allocated more spots to this program for 2023 with further increases planned for 2024 and 2025.Applicants will be able to apply for a work permit that is up to three years in duration instead of one year.Applicants will be able to apply for an open work permit instead of one that limits them to working for their own start-up.Were making this three-year open work permit available to each member of the entrepreneurial team instead of only those who are essential and urgently needed in Canada.Were prioritizing applications that are supported by venture capital angel investor groups and business incubators and have capital committed along with applications that are supported by business incubators who are members of Canadas Tech Network.The Government of Canada is embracing Canadas emerging role as a leader in global tech talent recruitment and attraction to ensure Canada is not only filling in-demand jobs today but also attracting the skills and business talent to create the jobs of tomorrow.For more details on each element of the Tech Talent Strategy see the backgrounder. QuotesWere enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration because they arent just about numbersthey are strategic. With Canadas first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy were targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies. Im grateful for the collaboration of the tech start-up and business communities who have provided valuable insight to develop this strategy. Having a fast and flexible approach one that is broadly supported by Canadians is truly Canadas immigration advantage. The Honourable Sean Fraser Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship
