Debuting as a speaker at an immigration conference panel, marked a significant moment in my career and Syndesus’s journey. The panel, diving into the ever-growing topic of corporate immigration strategy, was hosted by the well-respected association Worldwide ERC at their Global Workforce Symposium. This was an amazing meeting of global mobility professionals, all ready to explore new horizons, challenge traditional norms within the industry, and seek innovative solutions within an ever-evolving ecosystem. 

In this article, we will recap the session and share the surprising results of a live poll voted on by over a hundred immigration professionals in the room.

Quick highlights from the panel

Sharing the stage with immigration law experts, HR professionals, and mobility specialists was incredibly inspiring, my co-panelists included experts Jacob Medina, from Grammarly, Cassie Ramos from Biogen, and Sunday Rubenstein from EY coupled with lively moderation from Roman Zelichenko from LaborLess and GMI Rocket. 

Our panel dove into the latest trends related to immigration policy, global workforce mobility trends, and the challenges faced by organizations in managing international talent. This included the importance of streamlined immigration processes, fostering inclusivity, and capitalizing on technology for a more efficient immigration process for everyone involved.

Canada came out on top for corporate-friendly immigration. Here’s Why.

During a later session, a poll on which country held the title of the most corporate-friendly immigration destination was cast and the results surprised everyone. The live vote, which included both in-house and law firm representatives, identified Canada – now this is what we’ve been saying here at Syndesus but seeing it be recognized by our peers was still a huge step.

So why has Canada become the top destination for companies looking to hire and relocate foreign workers with 62% of companies currently sending workers there? Here’s why both employers and employees in the tech industry and beyond are starting to take advantage of what Canada is offering.

A strong economy and diverse immigration options

Canada has a strong and stable economy, with a low unemployment rate and a growing demand for skilled workers. This makes it an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand or relocate and for workers looking for job opportunities. This is doubly exciting for tech workers since Canada’s tech industry is growing rapidly, and there is a growing demand for skilled tech workers. The Canadian government has implemented a number of immigration policies to attract and retain this needed tech talent. 

These policies include the Global Talent Stream (GTS) — part of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy — which provides a fast-track pathway for companies to hire foreign workers, significant tax breaks for companies engaged in tech research, and a Start-Up Visa program, which allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada to start their tech businesses. Recent initiatives have targeted H-1B workers, and their employers, who are finding the increasingly difficult visa process in the US challenging. This wealth of immigration options has been a significant factor in Canada’s recognition as an immigration-forward country.

Canada’s work visas mean tech workers can be ready to work within weeks, and the pathway to permanent residency and citizenship are equally as streamlined. The 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.   

Immigrant-friendly society with great benefits

Canada has a global reputation for being the most welcoming country to migrants. For more than three decades, Canada has been a leader in embracing diversity and as such, immigrants already make up one-fifth of Canada’s population.  

Canada has a high quality of life, with a clean environment, safe communities, and a strong social safety net. Canadians also enjoy the same benefits that many Americans only obtain if they work for the most generous, prestigious businesses. For example, access to medical services via a national health insurance system regardless of income level. Every province and territory has a local healthcare plan with varying levels of coverage and anyone granted residency in Canada is entitled to the same social benefits.

Syndesus empowers companies to adapt to global immigration trends

In the ever-evolving landscape of global workforce mobility, our core mission at Syndesus is to help companies navigate the complexities of cross-border employment. Our turn-key PEO and EOR solutions enable businesses to seamlessly employ remote tech workers in Canada eliminating the need for a physical office presence. 

As highlighted by Marc’s participation at the Worldwide ERC Immigration Summit, the global talent landscape is rapidly shifting, with immigration-friendly destinations like Canada gaining prominence. Syndesus is committed to helping businesses adapt to these trends and capitalize on a global talent pool. With our expertise businesses can seamlessly navigate the intricacies of global workforce mobility and achieve their growth objectives.

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you work remotely for your US tech company from Canada, or join our Path to Canada database of qualified candidates seeking to move to Canada and get matched with a Canadian tech employer.