Global events have disrupted immigration processes worldwide, impacting economies significantly. However, the Global Talent Stream (GTS) program in Canada continues to operate, aiming to expedite and ease visa and work permit applications for foreign nationals who possess unique talents or are highly skilled.
Typically, it takes 10 business days to assess applications and 14 business days to process work permits for qualified workers. Despite recent challenges, these timelines have remained relatively efficient.
The GTS program has increased Canadian employers’ access to global talent. Some of Canada’s talent needs have become more pressing recently, and the efficiency and flexibility of the GTS program have allowed Canada to respond to these urgent global talent needs.
In summary, while overall immigration has faced hurdles, the GTS program has enabled Canada to continue hiring for in-demand jobs. How does this compare to the GTS counterpart in the US, the H-1B visa?
Understanding the US H-1B visa process
Almost 1.8 million H-1B visas have been distributed from 2001 through 2015, and demand for the visa has boomed in recent years.
Indeed, the H-1B cap — 65,000 H-1B visas a year plus an additional 20,000 visas for foreigners with a graduate degree from a US university — has been reached within a week of the application period opening almost every year since 2012, including the FY2020 lottery which took place in April 2019. About two-thirds of H-1B visa requests are for jobs in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering, and math.
This year, the H-1B visa process was slightly different. Under the new H-1B application system, companies registered their H-1B hopefuls through a brand new electronic system, and only those companies whose registrations were chosen in the lottery were able to prepare and submit H-1B applications to U.s. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Considering the current state of the U.S. economy, some companies whose registrations for H-1B professionals were selected may decide not to submit H-1B applications.
Economic factors and visa application history suggest that demand for H-1B visas declines during economic slowdowns. However, it’s important to consider the sectors traditionally employing H-1B professionals, such as STEM fields, which may still proceed with applications.
But if you’re one of the unlucky H-1B applicants suddenly out of a job, where can you turn? Look across America’s northern border for a better job market — US unemployment rate is currently at 23.9% while Canada’s unemployment rate is 13% — and a more favorable immigration process.
Canada doubles down on its commitment to immigration
As Canada struggles to overcome its shrinking workforce and aging population — a serious problem in all Western nations — the number of people immigrating into the country is expected to rise.
New data show immigration to Canada increased by 26% between 2015 and 2019. In stark contrast, legal immigration to the United States fell by 7% between 2016 and 2018. These numbers are expected to decline even more as the Trump administration continues to enforce its immigration policy changes. Trump-supported bills in Congress could reduce legal immigration to the US considerably.
While Canada admits approximately three times as many immigrants as America, the United States is headed in the opposite direction. Trump’s travel ban and rapidly lowering numbers of refugees admitted to the US are expected to greatly reduce legal immigration.
These weak numbers will slow the growth of the U.S. labor force and could do long-term damage to America’s economy. A suffering economy leads to higher unemployment and lower hiring rates, all spelling disaster for H-1B hopefuls.
The United States was once the most desired destination for highly skilled global talent. But in recent years, Canada’s economy is expected to be one of the fastest-growing countries in the Group of Seven (G7) — an international organization consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Even now, as the US cracks down on student visas and work permits as well as some immigration from China, Canada is allowing foreign students to study remotely and is already slowly starting to issue more visas and travel authorizations.
Should you consider Canada over the US?
Recent policy changes have caused significant delays in the issuance of US green cards for many people outside the US. Additionally, US consulates and embassies have stopped almost all visa processing.
Throughout this period, a debate between the US and Canadian immigration systems has been rekindled. In terms of commitment to continued immigration growth and flexibility, Canada is currently coming out on top.
If you’re a US employer, Syndesus can walk you through the logistics of hiring a remote worker in Canada. Relying on Syndesus to hire Canadian talent is actually easier, cheaper, and faster than bringing a foreign national into the US on an H-1B or even a TN visa.
And if you’re an employee in Canada and want to either immigrate to Canada and continue to work, or if you’re a Canadian national, and want to come back home and take your US job with you, Syndesus can walk you through that process.
Want to hear more? Book a consultation to chat about your hiring situation. Syndesus can help you expand your team with the world’s most talented technology professionals but without the world’s most frustrating immigration system.
