What the U.S. ban on foreign workers means and your options

The U.S. government has been on the warpath against foreign workers and international students since the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the most recent moves has been President Donald Trump’s announcement suspending new work visas (US visa ban) in an attempt to limit the number of immigrants who were otherwise expected to enter the country – legally.

Computer programmers working in technology and IT, seasonal workers, hospitality workers and even au pairs have been hit by this order. Even summer study and work programs to the U.S. have been hit.

Up to half a million workers and residents are expected to not be able to come to the U.S. till at least the end of 2020.

For lots of foreign workers in the U.S. and preparing to come to the country, the effect has been devastating. However, there are many options you can still settle abroad. Unlike the U.S., Canada is continuing to welcome new workers and residents into the country.

Keep reading to find out what your options are after the H1B ban and how to immigrate to Canada. We’ll also explain briefly what the different pathways are for a Canada visa from the U.S.

Consequences of foreign worker bans in the U.S.

Under the U.S. visa ban, the country will not issue new green cards (permanent resident) and will not renew many categories of work visa. This doesn’t just affect those who are not in U.S., it also has an impact on foreign workers and residents in U.S. who need to get their visa renewed.

Here are some employment visas that have been hit:

H-1B: Highly specialized knowledge visa

H-2B: Non-agriculture seasonal worker visas

J: Study and work exchange programs

L: Transfers within the same company

The U.S. visa ban affects specialized workers, seasonal workers and even essential occupations such as au pairs. But just because you are no longer welcome in the U.S. does not mean you have to give up your dream and ambition to work in North America. Applying for a Canada visa from the U.S. has never been easier.

Options foreign workers have to come to Canada

There are more than 80 immigration pathways for economic migration to Canada. People can come to Canada from the U.S. using one of the many options such as:

1. Express Entry – The most popular option that assesses a candidate’s age, experience, skill set and qualifications
2. Provincial Nominee Programs – Immigration programs operated by individual provinces that invite people with specific skills in demand in the province
3. Coming to Quebec – Similar to PNPs, Quebec offers its own immigration programme and favors French speakers

Express Entry and PNPs have continued to accept applications and send Invitations to Apply during the Covid-19 lockdown.

4. Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Helps employer hire foreign workers if the skills are highly specialized and unavailable domestically (LMIA)
5. International Mobility Program – Pathway that welcomes foreign workers with special skills and are in Canada’s economic interests.

Did you know many skilled workers in the U.S. can work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment because of agreements between the two countries.

Find out how you can immigrate from the U.S. to Canada. Schedule a consultation with an experienced Toronto immigration professional. We have helped thousands of people settle in Canada and lead prosperous lives.
Talk to an experienced immigration professional