Canada is positioning itself as a new hub for global technology talent in the wake of sweeping changes to the United States’ H-1B visa program under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled that Ottawa intends to capitalize on the uncertainty, particularly for highly skilled workers who would once have headed to Silicon Valley.

Trump’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas has left tech firms scrambling. For decades, the program has been the backbone of U.S. innovation, enabling companies to hire software engineers, data scientists, and specialists from around the world. Now, with mounting costs and red tape, many firms are questioning whether they can continue relying on the pipeline.

Carney, speaking in London, said Canada will craft a “clear offering” aimed at absorbing displaced workers, especially from the technology sector. “What is clear is that the opportunity to attract people who previously would’ve got so-called H-1B visas,” he noted, underlining Ottawa’s intent to seize a competitive edge in the global war for talent.

The move aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy, which has consistently emphasized skilled migration as a driver of economic growth. Over the past decade, Canada has streamlined work permits for STEM professionals, launched targeted visa programs, and fostered tech clusters in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Other nations are also stepping up. Germany has expanded its “Blue Card” scheme, while the UK is touting its Global Talent Visa as a pathway for skilled migration post-Brexit. But Canada’s proximity to the U.S. and established multicultural workforce give it a unique advantage.

As barriers rise in the U.S., Canada is betting that openness and opportunity will draw the next generation of innovators northward.

Canada is positioning itself as a new hub for global technology talent in the wake of sweeping changes to the United States’ H-1B visa program under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled that Ottawa intends to capitalize on the uncertainty, particularly for highly skilled workers who would once have headed to Silicon Valley.

Trump’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas has left tech firms scrambling. For decades, the program has been the backbone of U.S. innovation, enabling companies to hire software engineers, data scientists, and specialists from around the world. Now, with mounting costs and red tape, many firms are questioning whether they can continue relying on the pipeline.

Carney, speaking in London, said Canada will craft a “clear offering” aimed at absorbing displaced workers, especially from the technology sector. “What is clear is that the opportunity to attract people who previously would’ve got so-called H-1B visas,” he noted, underlining Ottawa’s intent to seize a competitive edge in the global war for talent.

The move aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy, which has consistently emphasized skilled migration as a driver of economic growth. Over the past decade, Canada has streamlined work permits for STEM professionals, launched targeted visa programs, and fostered tech clusters in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Other nations are also stepping up. Germany has expanded its “Blue Card” scheme, while the UK is touting its Global Talent Visa as a pathway for skilled migration post-Brexit. But Canada’s proximity to the U.S. and established multicultural workforce give it a unique advantage.

As barriers rise in the U.S., Canada is betting that openness and opportunity will draw the next generation of innovators northward.