Canada is positioning itself as one of the most attractive destinations for technology professionals at a time when the United States is proposing a steep $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that his government will create what he termed a “clear offering” for skilled foreign workers in the technology sector who may be affected by the proposed American policy. While Ottawa is yet to release full details of this new package, the country already has a variety of well-established immigration programmes that appeal to global tech talent.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these pathways include both temporary work permits and permanent residency options. Over the years, this approach has allowed multinational companies and startups in Canada to recruit top-tier professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The federal government has also introduced category-based selection draws under the Express Entry system to specifically target STEM workers.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) remains one of the main entry routes for skilled workers. For technology professionals, the Global Talent Stream (GTS) within this programme is particularly significant. Processing times average two weeks, with Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) completed in as little as eight business days, compared to several months under other categories.
Workers can qualify under two streams. Category A is for candidates with job offers from innovative Canadian companies referred by designated partners and requiring specialised expertise. To qualify, employees must earn at least $38.46 per hour or $80,000 annually, hold advanced knowledge, and have either an advanced degree or five years of specialised experience. Category B targets occupations listed under Canada’s global talent list, such as software engineers, civil engineers, and information systems analysts.
International Mobility Program
The International Mobility Program (IMP) offers LMIA-exempt work permits with processing times between two to four months. Within the IMP, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) option allows multinational firms to move executives, senior managers, or specialised staff to Canadian offices. Eligible employees must have worked at the company for at least one of the last three years.
Another branch under IMP is the Innovation Stream, introduced as part of the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). This allows skilled workers to obtain employer-specific permits when offered positions at companies such as Ada, Clio, Lightspeed Commerce, and five others. The average processing time is about two weeks.
Express Entry and Permanent Residency
For those looking to settle permanently, Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship system. It covers the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Applicants are scored using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers age, education, work experience, and language skills. Draws are held periodically, and candidates with the highest scores receive invitations to apply for permanent residency. In 2025, STEM occupations such as software engineers, data scientists, computer programmers, civil engineers, and information system analysts are priority fields.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Several provinces have also created their own immigration streams to attract technology talent.
– The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) runs dedicated tech draws through its Human Capital Priorities stream, giving selected candidates an extra 600 CRS points once nominated.
– The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway targets candidates with Express Entry profiles who have job offers from Alberta-based tech companies.
– Saskatchewan’s Tech Talent Pathway is open to skilled workers with job offers in high-demand roles. Applications can be filed either through Express Entry or the non-Express Entry process, with processing times ranging from seven to 18 months.
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