In a bold move to attract more talent to the tech sector, Canada recently launched a program that has generated unprecedented enthusiasm. This program offers US H-1B visa holders the opportunity to “stay and work in North America,” with an open work permit valid for three years.

Canada has decided to offer 10,000 open work permits to foreigners on H-1B visas in the United States. Selected highly skilled workers are free to work for almost any company in Canada and may also bring their immediate family members who also have the opportunity to apply for temporary residency visas.

The program was a resounding success from the moment it started, reaching its original target of 10,000 applicants in just two days. What has been described as a successful publicity campaign quickly caught the attention of highly qualified foreign workers in the United States, primarily from India and China, where there are nearly 600,000 H-1B visa holders.

The Canadian government’s initiative specifically targeting visa holders from another country sends a strong and unexpected signal. By targeting H-1B visa holders directly, Canada is expressing its desire to support and facilitate international mobility of professionals while strengthening its technology and innovation sector.

The immediate success of the program exceeded expectations and even required the advertising campaign to be discontinued in order to quickly reach the original quota. This underscores Canada’s attractiveness as a destination for highly skilled professionals, drawn by the country’s career opportunities, quality of life and reputation for welcoming immigrants.

According to the spokesman for Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, this initiative is currently in the testing phase. ” The Immigration Secretary is now considering next steps to capitalize on the program’s success‘ he let know.