The federal government plans to attract more so-called “digital nomads” in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields while opening new pathways to permanent residency for entrepreneurs.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser made the announcement during the Collision tech conference in Toronto on June 27.
“We are going to be launching a digital nomad strategy, which is going to allow people who have a foreign employer to come work in Canada for up to six months, live in communities in this country, and spend money and communities in this country,” Fraser said.
“And should they receive a job offer while they’re here, we’re going to allow them to continue to stay in work in Canada.”
Fraser announced six new policy changes at the conference as part of a strategy to win the “global race” to attract competitive tech talent to Canada.
Fraser said despite Canada’s Global Skills Strategy bringing highly-skilled workers into the country, it suffered from pandemic processing delays. He said that a new application would speed up the processing of work permits to just two weeks, “so companies can have access to the talent that they need when they need it.”
Fraser said Canada’s startup visa program, a pathway to permanent residency for entrepreneurs who create Canadian companies, had been “suffering from certain challenges.” In that vein, he said spaces will be increased from 1,000 to 3,500 per year, with priority given to companies that have “committed capital” or have an endorsement from a “trusted partner.”
He said a new stream will also allow 10,000 H1B visa holders to work in Canada.
Fraser also announced that temporary foreign workers with valid work permits but no study permits will be allowed to enroll in an educational institution without a limitation on the length of the study program.
