WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Canada is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for H-1B visa holders affected by layoffs in the US tech sector. The Canadian government launched a three-year open work permit scheme on July 16th, providing a path to employment for up to 10,000 US-based H-1B visa holders. Over 6,000 have already taken advantage of this opportunity, prompting the closure of the application process. The H-1B visa, highly sought by international students for post-education work in the US, suffered setbacks due to tech layoffs. Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google announced significant staff reductions, giving H-1B holders a 60-day ultimatum to leave, transfer visas, or find new sponsors. In response, Canada’s three-year work permit scheme, launched in July, provided with a timely alternative, offering them the opportunity to move to Canada for employment. As of October, more than 6,000 laid-off H-1B visa holders have been granted permits, contributing to Canada’s flourishing tech industry, which has outpaced the US in talent growth by over 11% between 2020 and 2022. Meanwhile, the US Department of Homeland Security is considering changes to the H-1B visa scheme.