- While the US has long been a tech sector destination, the country’s recent political climate has pushed noncitizen tech workers to reconsider their options – and Canada could be benefiting, Axios reported.
- Axios cited a study from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology which found that even before the pandemic, Canada’s skilled immigration program has been successfully processing a high number of noncitizen American residents.
- From 2017 to 2019, more than 20,000 applied for and received express entry permanent residence in Canada, and the number increased by 75% over that period, the study found.
- From the Trump administration freezing H-1B visas to nearly barring international students at colleges operating remotely, the US is at risk of intensifying this flow of residents, and pushing its top tech talent out.
- Following the H-1B visa ban, the CEO of Ottawa-based Shopify tweeted: “If this affects your plans, consider coming to Canada,” suggesting that company at least is welcoming American talent.
- In 2019, the US was the third most popular recipient of express entry for skilled noncitizen workers, behind India … and Canada.
- Canadian immigration numbers are likely to increase and US immigration numbers are likely to fall. A study from the National Foundation of American Policy projected that enrollment of new international students at US colleges – the exact kind of person Canada would welcome – is set to decline this fall by 63% to 98%.
- Business Insider has provided a step-by-step guide on moving to Canada and becoming a citizen.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.