Canada Starts Fast-Track Visa Program as U.S. Debates H-1B Policy

Canada has launched a new fast-track immigration program for people holding U.S. H-1B visas, just as political tensions over the same visa are growing inside President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. The program, announced in Canada’s 2025 Federal Budget, offers a quicker path for skilled foreign workers—highlighting the contrast between Canada’s openness and America’s internal divisions on immigration.

The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire skilled workers in fields like tech, engineering, and healthcare when they say no qualified Americans are available. But the visa has long been controversial. In September, the Trump administration introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications, saying it wanted to stop staffing firms from abusing the system and lowering wages. The government also revoked 80,000 existing visas in an earlier action, alarming tech companies like Google and Meta that depend heavily on foreign talent.

The issue has now caused a split in the MAGA camp. In a recent Fox interview, Trump defended the need for skilled foreign workers, saying the U.S. lacks some specialized talent. His comment angered hardline supporters. Figures like Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer accused Trump of abandoning “America First.” Bannon even criticized tech leaders such as Elon Musk—who supports expanding skilled immigration—calling their views “techno-feudalism.” Musk hit back online, arguing that skilled immigrants help the U.S. economy grow.

Conservative influencers weighed in too. Turning Point USA’s Savanah Hernandez said Trump should listen to voters who want priority for American workers. Meanwhile, Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy defended the president’s stance, saying U.S. companies need global expertise. The disagreement follows earlier clashes during the transition period, when Musk’s pro-visa views upset MAGA purists.

For the 85,000 people who get H-1B visas each year—many of them in Silicon Valley—the uncertainty is causing stress. Renewals are harder, travel can be risky, and companies are reconsidering hiring plans. “It’s chaos,” said an Indian engineer in the Bay Area, who feared losing his status if he traveled abroad.

Canada sees an opportunity. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has introduced a special pathway for current or former H-1B holders, offering them three-year open work permits in high-demand fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, and research. The program builds on a successful 2023 pilot that filled 10,000 places within days. While the new cap isn’t yet announced, it’s part of a larger $1.7 billion investment that includes funding for research, labs, PhD relocations, and faster recognition of foreign credentials, especially for construction and nursing workers.

Carney called the move a boost for Canada’s innovation sector and said U.S. policy changes give Canada an advantage. Immigration lawyers say interest from H-1B holders—especially Indians in the U.S.—has jumped by about 30%.

Experts believe this competition for talent could reshape opportunities across North America. As one analyst put it, “Canada is making strategic moves while the U.S. is fighting internally.” For many foreign workers, Canada offers stability while the U.S. situation remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, Trump’s team is trying to balance business concerns with the expectations of his base. The White House says the new fee applies only to first-time applicants, not renewals. But confusion remains, and with elections approaching, the fight over H-1B visas is becoming a major political test for Trump.