If you work in a STEM field—science, technology, engineering or mathematics—and want to move to Canada, the federal government has announced a package of measures meant to make that transition easier. The aim is to attract more tech and STEM talent to support Canadian innovation, grow companies and keep the country competitive in the global marketplace.
On June 27, at the Collision tech conference in Toronto, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser unveiled the government’s new Tech Talent Strategy. Speaking to a crowd of international founders, investors and technologists—more than 36,000 attendees—Fraser emphasized the need to pair Canadian ideas with global talent: “You’ve got the ideas, but you need the talent,” he said. The announcements include enhancements to existing immigration programs plus new pathways designed specifically for highly skilled tech workers, entrepreneurs and remote professionals.
“Join me LIVE for an exciting announcement at Collision!” — Sean Fraser (June 27)
Existing programs that will see improvements
- Express Entry: The government will create an additional pathway within the existing Express Entry system targeted at employees and workers in STEM sectors. Eligible candidates will continue to apply through the Express Entry framework but benefit from a clearer, sector-focused route to permanent residency.
- Global Skills Strategy: This employer-focused program helps Canadian companies recruit international talent. Processing speeds, which suffered during the pandemic, are being restored: Fraser said applications processed under the Global Skills Strategy can expect much faster turnaround—currently described as approximately two weeks for work permits—so employers can access needed skills promptly.
- Start-up Visa Program: The Start-up Visa pathway for immigrant entrepreneurs will be expanded and modernized. Canada already ranks highly as an attractive destination for immigrant founders; the announced changes are intended to scale opportunities for founders who will start companies and create jobs in Canada. Planned enhancements include:
- Increasing program intakes from 1,000 spaces to 3,500 for this year, with further growth expected in 2024 and 2025;
- Extending the length of work permits from one year to three years to give entrepreneurs more time to build their businesses;
- Allowing open work permits so entrepreneurs can accept other employment while building their startup, rather than being restricted to working only for their own venture;
- Prioritizing candidates whose startups have committed venture capital or sponsorship from Canadian business incubators that are part of Canada’s Tech Network;
- Issuing work permits to all members of an entrepreneurial team, not only those deemed essential; and
- Providing interim supports for applicants already waiting, including three-year open work permits and corresponding study or work permits for accompanying family members.
Brand-new initiatives to attract tech talent
- New Innovation Stream: A dedicated pathway will be launched by year-end for highly skilled immigrants who want to work for Canadian tech firms. This stream is designed to bring talented individuals into the Canadian tech ecosystem even if they don’t yet have a formal job offer, improving mobility and helping startups and scale-ups hire high-impact talent quickly.
- Digital Nomad Strategy: Canada will introduce a visa route for digital nomads, letting highly skilled workers with foreign employers live and work in Canada for up to six months. Importantly, if a nomad receives a Canadian job offer during their stay, the new rules will enable a transition to longer-term work status. The move aligns Canada with other countries that have created temporary remote-worker pathways and reflects the growing global population of remote workers and digital nomads.
- H-1B stream for U.S. tech workers: To attract professionals affected by layoffs and job insecurity in the U.S. tech sector, Canada will open a stream allowing up to 10,000 H‑1B visa holders to come work in Canada. The stream is intended to provide a fast, structured option for skilled workers seeking employment alternatives.
How do foreign workers currently get a work permit in Canada?
Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. The rules differ depending on whether you are a temporary worker, business visitor, student or permanent resident applicant. Work permits can be employer-specific or open, and eligibility depends on the immigration route and the applicant’s qualifications. For newcomers, understanding the differences between employer-specific permits, open work permits and pathways to permanent residency is essential to planning a move.
More about newcomers:
- How to prepare your finances for moving to Canada
- Credit scores and credit reports: what newcomers need to know
- Key considerations for newcomers who want to invest in Canada