Canada High Potential Tech Talent Visa
Canada High Potential Tech Talent Visa is designed specially for Skilled Tech professionals. Canada statistics states that the country is facing a huge vacancy issue up to 874,700. As a result, all sectors of Canada are facing a shortage of skilled workers.
Due to the labor shortages in the tech sector, a visa called High Potential Tech Talent Visa came into picture, that would allow high-skilled tech workers to come to Canada without a job offer.
Tech group wants new visa to allow skilled workers to enter Canada without a job offer.
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) wants Canada to introduce a High Potential Tech Talent Visa, to give in-demand professionals a pathway to Permanent Residency without a job offer in hand.
This visa is for people who have skills that are in high demand, such as software developers and data scientists. With this visa, you can work and change jobs in Canada, and it can also help you become a permanent resident of Canada.
People seeking work visas in Canada need a job offer to qualify, which was creating a barrier for highly skilled people. Also due to the pandemic, remote work has increased tremendously. As a result, CCI says the Canadian government should consult with the private sector to pilot allowing highly skilled foreign workers to come to Canada for a designated amount of time without a job offer.
The proposed tech visa aims to process work permit applications in as little as two weeks for in-demand roles. The CCI, however, is calling for a 48-hour visa processing time for this program.
The strategy report is divided into 4 sections where CCI has shared 13 suggestions.
The following are the details of the same:
- Co-ordination and Capacity Building
- Attracting Talent
- Generating Talent
- Retaining Talent
Looking at the above strategy details we can expect a quick rise in the selection of applicants. The need for skilled tech workers is most acute at scale-up companies, growth in the digital economy at large will set a demand for an additional 250,000 jobs. So, if you have high skills in a tech profile then you can get a Canada visa for sure.
Even though the High Potential Tech Talent visa is yet to be implemented, the details on the same will be shared soon.
We at HelpOverseas Immigration, assist with Permanent Residence Visa to Canada. To know more about the details, the complete procedure or to apply for Canada PR our immigration experts will guide you through the entire process step by step to make your immigration easy.
Newsletter
High Potential Tech Visa Without a Job Offer
Introduction of the High Potential Tech Visa
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) has proposed a High Potential Tech Visa to address labor shortages in Canada’s tech sector. This new visa would enable high-skilled tech workers to move to Canada without needing a job offer. Recently, the CCI unveiled its Talent and Skills Strategy, which includes 13 key recommendations to bolster Canada’s growing tech industry. The proposed visa focuses on in-demand professions such as software developers and data scientists, allowing them to work, switch jobs, and eventually obtain Canadian permanent residency.
Addressing Barriers for Skilled Tech Workers
The Talent and Skills Strategy report identifies a significant issue: most work visas in Canada require a job offer, which poses a barrier for highly skilled talent. If professionals could enter Canada to seek work, they would likely secure employment. The pandemic’s increase in remote work has led the CCI to propose a new approach. They recommend that the government consult with the private sector to pilot a program allowing highly skilled foreign workers to come to Canada temporarily without a job offer. This proposal is inspired by a similar program in the UK.
Complementing Existing Immigration Strategies
The proposed tech visa would complement the Global Skills Strategy, which processes work permit applications for in-demand roles in as little as two weeks. CCI advocates for an even faster 48-hour visa processing time for this new program. By establishing a pathway for skilled tech workers, the government can boost the talent supply, eliminating the need for companies to endure a time-consuming sponsorship process. Additionally, CCI recommends a concierge service to assist companies in navigating the immigration system, easing the pathway to permanent residency through the Global Talent Stream.
Expanding Talent Acquisition and Recognition
CCI proposes launching a Digital Nomad Strategy to attract remote workers and recommends regularly reviewing the National Occupation Classification codes to reflect the evolving nature of tech jobs. They also advocate for recognizing international and alternative credentials for visa applicants. Canada already offers various immigration and work permit options for tech workers. A key part of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy is the Global Talent Stream (GTS), which allows skilled workers to obtain a temporary work permit within two weeks. Additionally, employers can secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment without the advertising requirement.
Work Permit Exemptions and Special Provisions
The GTS offers work permit exemptions for certain highly-skilled workers and researchers. Workers in NOC skill type 0 or A-level occupations can enter Canada for short-term work without a permit. Additionally, researchers at publicly-funded institutions can stay in Canada for up to 120 days a year without needing a work permit. These provisions facilitate the contribution of skilled talent to Canada’s tech sector, fostering growth and innovation.