Ottawa: Canada has announced a fast-track immigration pathway for H-1B visa holders, forming part of a broader plan to attract skilled professionals and strengthen the country’s innovation and research ecosystem, according to the 2025 Federal Budget, as reported by CIC News.
The new initiative comes in response to the recent U.S. H-1B fee hike, which increased application costs to US $100,000, and seeks to draw displaced talent into Canada’s high-demand sectors such as healthcare, advanced technology, and research.
According to the government, the measure aims to “strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, address labour shortages, and attract top global talent in key sectors.” It forms part of the International Talent Attraction Strategy and Action Plan introduced in the 2025 Budget.
Funding and Research Recruitment Plan
Under the plan, Canada will launch a one-time initiative to recruit over 1,000 international researchers, backed by an investment package worth up to CA $1.7 billion. The goal is to help Canadian universities hire global talent and enhance their research capacity.
The funding package includes:
CA $1 billion over 13 years to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research for a new Accelerated Research Chairs Initiative.
CA $400 million over seven years to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to upgrade research infrastructure.
CA $133.6 million over three years to assist international PhD students and post-doctoral fellows relocating to Canada.
Up to CA $120 million over 12 years to help universities hire international assistant professors.
Boosting Recognition of Foreign Credentials
To complement the strategy, Budget 2025 proposes creating a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund, allocating CA $97 million over five years starting 2026–27. Managed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the fund will work with provinces and territories to streamline the credential recognition process and help skilled newcomers integrate faster into the workforce.
Officials said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s ongoing effort to attract top global talent while addressing labour shortages in key sectors critical to Canada’s economic growth.
(Source: Economic Times)
