US Tech companies are increasingly keen to attract top technical talent however they can. While salary is often a major driver of attracting top talent, increasingly, relocation packages to desired destinations are becoming another way to attract needed tech talent from around the world.

The US was often that desired destination, but now, with the H-1B visa program looking less and less certain each year, relocation to the US has become a challenge. So to tackle this challenge, numerous tech companies are now exploring Canada as an alternative solution for attracting top tech talent, which emphasizes the rising importance of immigration in maintaining a skilled workforce and showcases Canada’s role in creative immigration strategies.

This article is going to discuss immigration as a worker benefit, retention strategy, and alternative to the challenging US H-1B process. Let’s dive in.

Relocation is an emerging benefit for attracting and retaining top tech talent

The tech industry offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals, making it unsurprising that they often change jobs in pursuit of more appealing positions, such as those providing higher salaries or greater flexibility. This shift in workforce dynamics during COVID-19, known as “The Great Resignation,” prompted employers to reevaluate their benefits packages in order to remain competitive in the race for top talent.

That’s why for tech workers, relocation assistance is emerging as an attractive incentive, particularly when that relocation is to North America. Providing a relocation package as a benefit has unsurprisingly proven to be an effective strategy for attracting and retaining professionals – according to a recent survey of 1,500 employees across eleven global markets, 50% emphasized the significance of a relocation opportunity citing various reasons such as acquiring new career skills, expanding personal and professional networks, and experiencing a different culture or way of life.

International relocation packages can vary, but they typically support most aspects of the immigration process, including moving costs, transportation, and visa processing. They can even provide family support packages and cultural integration benefits such as language lessons and ongoing support for any difficulties after the move.

By developing a thorough relocation package, companies can appeal to and enlist highly skilled candidates while demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being. This can help foster a loyal company culture, which ultimately results in employee longevity, higher productivity and other long-term benefits to the organization.

Canada is a great option for relocating remote workers.

As part of a relocation package, it’s understandable that US tech companies typically try to move candidates closer to HQ. However, in reality, they are met with a time-consuming and expensive immigration process that holds no guarantees of success. 

Due to the limitations and increasing challenges associated with the H-1B visa program, relocating skilled employees to the US can be tough. The H-1B visa is designed for highly skilled foreign professionals in specialty occupations, most commonly used by the tech industry, but it presents several obstacles for companies and employees, including a strict annual cap of 85,000 visas, continuously growing demand, and increasing fraud.

Fraud aside, the nature of this process means that even highly qualified candidates who have genuine job offers from US-based companies may not be selected, making it difficult for these companies to secure the talent they need and confidently plan for their own growth.

Canada’s Global Talent Stream provides a better option than the H-1B visa

Canada is the ideal plan B (often lovingly called “Plan C” or “Canada”) to hire employees to North America successfully. Businesses can offer an attractive relocation package with a quick and streamlined immigration process via Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS). 

Launched in 2017 as part of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, the GTS dramatically speeds up the process of hiring foreign workers to fill specialized jobs. An employee can obtain authorization to work and gain a Canadian work visa within weeks, allowing them to relocate and begin working in Canada.

GTS is currently one of the world’s fastest immigration pathways for tech workers and offers a streamlined pathway to residency in Canada. Eligibility for Canadian permanent residence can be possible in one to two years and citizenship in around five years.   

When an employee has permanent residence status, they can get settled in Canada and receive most social benefits available to Canadian citizens.

Canada is an attractive option for tech professionals looking for new opportunities

Apart from a fast timeline to permanent residency and citizenship and a welcoming environment for immigrants, Canada offers a range of other benefits for residents, making it an attractive destination for employees.

Canada’s healthcare system provides residents access to comprehensive medical services, with most costs covered by the government. This means employees can receive necessary care without the burden of high medical expenses. For employees with families, Canadian educational institutions are renowned for their excellent quality, and tuition fees are often more affordable compared to other countries. This makes it easier for residents to access world-class education for themselves and their families.

Its proximity to the US also makes it easier for employees to attend meetings, conferences, and other work-related events in person, helping foster stronger relationships within the team.

Syndesus can help you hire and retain talent in Canada

While some US tech companies have Canadian offices already and can hire remotely in Canada on their own, most US tech companies do not have a Canadian presence. So if your organization is seeking to hire or retain top tech talent via relocation to Canada, but you don’t have a Canadian legal presence, Syndesus can help. As an Employer of Record (EOR), Syndesus specializes in enabling companies to employ tech professionals remotely in Canada without the need to establish a physical office in the country.

How do we do this?

Syndesus serves as the legal employer of your tech worker in Canada. We take care of the administrative responsibilities associated with employing remote tech talent, including handling payroll, taxes, benefits administration, and compliance with local employment laws, allowing you to focus on employing the best people and continuing to grow your business.

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you hire and retain talent remotely in Canada!