The Canadian Government through its Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has launched its first-ever Tech Talent Strategy. It was noted that this new strategy aims to support businesses in Canada so they can succeed in a competitive environment. It includes new measures and improvements to existing measures that will help businesses thrive.
As a part of the Tech Talent Strategy, Minister Fraser unveiled a series of robust attraction measures aimed at fostering a thriving tech sector, and these measures include:
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Creating an open work permit stream for US H-1B visa holders. With this opportunity, H-1B visa holders in the US can now apply for a Canadian work permit. This means they can work in Canada without needing a specific job offer. In addition, their family members can also choose to study or work in Canada through special permit options.
The launch of a new Innovation Stream under the International Mobility Program. This measure provides options such as employer-specific work permits, which can last up to five years. These permits are available for workers employed by companies chosen by the Canadian Government for their contributions to the country’s industrial innovation goals. Another option is open work permits that are valid for up to five years for highly skilled workers in specific in-demand occupations.
Another measure is to promote Canada as a destination for digital nomads.
Speaking at the Collision Conference 2023, Fraser noted, “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 should they receive a job offer while they’re here, we’re going to allow them to continue to stay and work in Canada.”
He also noted during the conference, “We’re enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration because they aren’t just about numbers—they are strategic. With Canada’s first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy, we’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies. I’m grateful for the collaboration of the tech, start-up and business communities, who have provided valuable insight to develop this strategy. Having a fast and flexible approach, one that is broadly supported by Canadians is truly Canada’s immigration advantage.”
At the start of the year, Canada announced new immigration pathways to fill up the labour shortage in the country’s healthcare and high-needs sectors in line with their 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan.
The country’s 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan outlines the target number of new permanent residents the country intends to welcome. In 2023, the goal is to welcome anywhere from 410,000 to 505,000 new permanent residents. For 2024, the target range is between 430,000 to 542,500 permanent residents, while in 2025, the aim is to welcome 442,500 to 550,000 permanent residents.
Nigerians in Canada, a Growing Community
Nigerians in Canada, the community keeps growing. In 2022 alone, 22,130 Nigerians received Permanent Residency Visas to Canada, up from 15,595 recorded in 2021. In Q1 2023, this number hit a 9-year high figure of 5,755 indicating that the number of Nigerians to receive Canadian Permanent Residency Visas in 2023 may hit a new high.
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As it stands right now, Nigeria also ranks fifth among the countries with the most international students in Canada, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It was noted that in 2022 alone, Canada issued 16,195 study permits to Nigerians, a new all-time high, and a 17.8% increase from the 13,475 issued in 2021.
