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<ul><li><keyword id="6356687" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="canada">Canada</keyword> implemented a series of measures, including the ban on entry to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens and permanent residents, to stem the spread of COVID-19 in mid-March.</li><li>The ban, which also allows the immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats and aircrews to come into Canada, expired on Tuesday night.</li><li>The ban exempts the US, which entered into a separate agreement with Canada shortly after the halt on all other foreign travel. </li></ul>Ottawa, Canada has extended the incumbent ban on international travellers until July 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to authorities. "The government remains committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians and reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Canada," Xinhua news agency quoted the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as saying on Tuesday. Canada implemented a series of measures, including the ban on entry to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens and permanent residents, to stem the spread of COVID-19 in mid-March. The ban, which also allows the immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats and aircrews to come into Canada, expired on Tuesday night. The ban exempts the US, which entered into a separate agreement with Canada shortly after the halt on all other foreign travel. The agreement, which prohibits non-essential travel between Canada and the US, remains in effect until July 21. Under the agreement, essential workers, such as truckers and health workers, are allowed to cross the border. Tuesday's extension comes after the European Union agreed to allow tourists from 15 countries to enter the EU beginning tomorrow. Canada is one of the 15 countries on a safe list, while the US has been excluded. Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed a proposal to relax the ban on international travellers, saying that moving too quickly could spark a second wave of the coronavirus in Canada. The Trudeau government has also renewed the Quarantine Act requiring travellers to isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada. The act has been extended to August 31.

Canada extends ban on international travellers to July 31

<keyword id="19896882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="canada" source="keywords">Canada</keyword> is looking at the possibility of putting a cap on the number of international students to help reduce the surge in demand for housing and fix the system that has gone out of control, Immigration Minister <keyword id="19946179" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marc-miller" source="keywords">Marc Miller</keyword> has said, a move that is likely to affect Indian students. The remarks by Miller came on Sunday as the federal government of Prime Minister <keyword id="1740494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="justin-trudeau" source="Orion">Justin Trudeau</keyword> faced criticism for welcoming an increasing number of immigrants - both permanent and temporary residents - while the country faces an acute housing shortage. In an interview with CTV News, Miller said the federal government will need to have talks with provincial governments "to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis." "That volume is disconcerting," Miller said, in reference to the number of international students in Canada. "It's really a system that has gotten out of control." A cap on international students would not be a "one-size-fits-all solution" to housing shortages across Canada, Miller noted. But he did not reveal the size of the reduction the government is planning on making. India was the first among the top ten origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with a total of 319,000 students. Meanwhile, new reporting by The Canadian Press news agency - citing internal documents obtained through an access to information request - shows the federal government was warned by public servants two years ago that its ambitious immigration targets could jeopardise housing affordability. The Liberals have set targets aiming to bring in 485,000 immigrants this year, and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. Temporary residents, largely international students and migrant workers, are another part of the equation, with more than 300,000 of them arriving in Canada in just the third quarter of last year. Miller said he will be looking in both the first and second quarter of this year at possibly setting a cap on international students to help reduce the demand for housing. When asked why the government is only considering a cap now, when the idea of one has been floated for months, Miller said there's a need to sort out numbers on a federal level before looking with "a little more granularity" at what individual academic institutions are doing in different provinces, possibly profiting off bringing in more international students. "We need to be doing our jobs and making sure that we have a system that actually makes sure people have a financial capability to come to Canada, that we're actually verifying offer letters," Miller said. "And now it's time for us to have a conversation about volumes and the impact that that is having in certain areas." When pressed further on the number of international students coming to Canada far outpacing the number of homes the federal government has announced it's planning to help build, Miller also said housing is only part of the calculation when it comes to immigration targets. The pressing need to bring down the average age of the workforce also needs to be taken into consideration, he said. And while he wouldn't give specifics, Miller said a cap on international students is something the federal government is considering, "and will continue to consider." "We have a sense of what those numbers would look like, what the reduction of those numbers looks like, out of courtesy to my colleagues in the provinces, those are discussions that we're first going to have around the negotiating table," he said, adding the financial needs of academic institutions is also a factor.

Canada mulls putting cap on international students numbers; move likely to impact Indians

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Naomi Robinson, a tech management consultant, moved from the UK to Canada. </li><li>She swapped London for Toronto, where she now works remotely while on a two-year visa. </li></ul>This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Naomi Robinson, a 26-year-old management consultant. Robinson's visa has been verified by Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I wanted to move to Canada since I was 17.I studied geography in high school and then later at university, and as part of my studies, we looked at how various cities and countries shaped their societies through placemaking processes. Among them was Toronto. What struck me about Toronto was its similarity to London, but on a grander scale — with its natural beauty and multicultural society.Over the years, I kept the idea of moving to Canada in mind, and I started taking the dream seriously during the pandemic.<h2>Getting a visa</h2>After graduating, I entered the tech industry, working in management consulting.I reached out to people on LinkedIn, who I saw had made a similar transition, and sought advice on the visa process, job market, and other crucial aspects of the move. The visa process was surprisingly straightforward, as the Canadian and British governments offer a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for people between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in Canada for two years. The visa I applied for is known as the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/eligibility.html?selection=gb-wh#selection">International Experience Canada</a> (IEC) visa.<div type="image" title="Skyline of Toronto, Canada with airplane." height="3486" width="5229" msid="103887490" hostid="261"></div>I was fortunate to receive an acceptance letter within a week, likely because I applied during a period when they were actively accepting applications.The next steps involved gathering necessary documents such as a passport, a police check, and work experience details.Upon receiving and accepting my visa, I also had to secure health insurance, which is a requirement for the IEC.<h2>Life in Toronto</h2>I arrived in Toronto in August.My employer allows me to work remotely on UK projects, but there are tax limitations on how long I can work on UK clients, so I may explore opportunities within the Canadian office or other roles in the industry after October.I've pushed myself to be proactive, balancing my work and social life while adapting to a new culture.People say that Canadians are open, friendly, and welcoming — and I've found that to be true. I've met people from just walking down the street.I'm also making an effort to make new friendships online and through networking.To find accommodation, I scoured Facebook groups catering to UK residents moving to Canada, but I ultimately found a place through a family friend already living in Toronto.Having lived in my family home in north London for most of my life, the transition to renting has been a learning experience.<div type="image" title="Toronto's Riverdale Park" height="1414" width="2121" msid="103887491" hostid="261"></div>I've also been surprised by the cultural diversity in Toronto. London is a multicultural city — but Toronto takes it to another level. The expectation to tip has been a culture shock, however.There's an unsaid expectation to tip like in the US, and I've had to incorporate that into my spending and budgeting for recreational activities.Another thing I'm still getting my head around is prices in stores as tax is added at the checkout, whereas in the UK it's already included.In Toronto, I've discovered the importance of proactivity, putting myself out there, and staying authentic to who I am.It's a fresh start that has allowed me to build new relationships and gain valuable life experiences.My journey in Canada is still unfolding, and I'm excited to see where it leads next.

I moved from the UK to Canada and work remotely. Tipping and sales tax are the biggest culture shocks. 

India has temporarily suspends visa services in <keyword id="6356687" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="canada" source="Orion">Canada</keyword> as per a notice on India Visa Application Centre Canada's website. The notice states, "Due to operational issues, with effect from 21 September, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice." Earlier, last evening, India advised its nationals in Canada and those contemplating travel there to exercise utmost caution in view of anti-India activities in some parts of that country. The advisory came amid further deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister <keyword id="1740494" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="justin-trudeau" source="Orion">Justin Trudeau</keyword>'s allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist <keyword id="7575364" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hardeep-Singh-Nijjar" source="Orion">Hardeep Singh Nijjar</keyword> in June. "In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the advisory. It said, "Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda." "Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," it said. The MEA said the Indian High Commission and consulates general will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Indian community in Canada. "Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant," it said in the advisory. (With text inputs from PTI)

India temporarily suspends visa services in Canada

Indians are obtaining Canadian work visas like never before and are beating Chinese nationals in the race. As per the latest statistics, Indians are ahead of China in getting Canadian work visas under Canada’s international mobility programme. From January-June this year, 13,670 Indians obtained work visas and the number was at 8,680 for Chinese. Under the temporary foreign worker programme too, Indians were ahead as under this programme, 2,190 Indians obtained work visas as compared to 635 from China. These statistics by the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), do not deviate from trends in the preceding years. Canada is attracting talent from all over the world. In June, Canada has ushered in the Global Talent Stream Program (GTSP) and began fast track processing of applications in two weeks and exemptions from labour market impact assessments. Companies that are seeking to sponsor highly qualified foreign workers can opt for GTSP which covers ten occupations primarily in computer, electrical and IT. But GTSP applies only for short trips. Managerial or professional workers can visit Canada on short term assignments of 15 days in a six month period or 30 days in a year.

Indians are ahead in getting work visas from Canada, beat China

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mass layoffs across tech showed the vulnerability of immigrant employees on work visas.</li><li>While the US still attracts talent, workers increasingly go to places like the UK or Canada.</li></ul>Varun Negandhi always intended to one day join the ranks of the US' great immigrant tech-startup founders. But seven years into his career as a software engineer in Detroit's legendary auto industry, he found out his <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigrant-founders-visas-venture-capital-startup-sponsorship-2022-12">work visa prevented him from starting up a company of his own</a>. And applications for permanent residency, by way of the famed "green card," were in a queue lasting as long as a decade.He started to look for a new country in which to settle his family that had friendlier visa terms — and found one very close to home."Being in Detroit and being on the border of US and Canada, I saw friends moving to Canada while working on an H-1B with their companies," he said. "Then it started to click that I can go to Canada, work with my company, but also have the freedom to start something on the side."Negandhi's story epitomizes a trend that should trouble America and its storied tech industry. Foreign-born workers are increasingly going to countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia, where they're freer to find a job or start their own company without having to deal with America's immigration system, which many consider nightmarish and outdated.As those tech workers look for greener pastures, that means <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-tech-firms-offshoring-immigration-labor-shortage-issues-remote-work-2023-3">America isn't getting the talent it desperately needs</a> to keep up with China, India, and other countries, whose own tech sectors are blossoming into formidable rivals to Silicon Valley. Without change, and fast, experts say this could mean an entire lost generation of tech talent for American tech."We have a shortage of highly skilled workers," Jason Finkelman, an immigration lawyer who specializes in work visas, said. "Therefore, the H-1B visa program and similar programs address that because you have so many US companies that are struggling to find the talent they need to remain competitive in the global marketplace." And America's loss is proving a boon for other countries, who are explicitly going after the skilled tech workers who fall through the cracks of America's immigration system."Foreign countries have figured out ways to more aggressively attack top-tier tech talent," Hiba Anver, an immigration attorney with Erickson Immigration Group, told Insider. "The US as a destination is not No. 1 by as big of a margin as it has been in past years." <h2>The US needs to move fast or risk being left behind</h2>If the US wants to remain the top destination for tech talent, the government needs to make changes to the system, or it risks falling behind, experts said.The country's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flawed-h1b-visa-system-layoffs-undermining-americas-tech-industry-2022-12">immigration system is notoriously hard to navigate</a> and has been backlogged for years. Tech companies have relied on student and work visas — including the F-1, L-1, and the limited H-1B programs — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-fees-hike-increase-silicon-valley-skilled-work-hiring-foreign-talent-2023-1">to keep recruiting top talent from around the world</a>. H-1B visas, a favorite of the tech industry, are capped at 85,000 each year. That figure <a href="https://www.cfr.org/blog/compete-china-united-states-needs-fix-immigration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hasn't changed since the 1990s</a>, even as Silicon Valley has matured into a global superpower.So applications for that visa far exceed that number, hitting over 300,000 in 2021 and 2022. Pandemic-era backlogs have also persisted, making the wait even longer. The wave of layoffs sweeping the tech sector has made that shortage an urgent problem: If someone on an H-1B visa loses their job, they have 60 days to find a new one or risk deportation.Critics also say it's too hard for international students to find a path to staying in the US after graduation, which deprives the country of the potential for them to found the next great tech company."What we've allowed is to make it impossible for international students to do something in the US," Eugene Malobrodsky, a partner at the early-stage venture-capital firm One Way Ventures, said. "So they were kicked out of the country, went back to their home, and started a company that became a unicorn. We could've had those unicorns in the US. We keep putting roadblocks in front of the best talent in the world."<h2>America's loss is other countries' gain</h2>Meanwhile, other countries are making it easier for tech workers like Negandhi and students to immigrate. Canada allows <a href="https://immigtoronto.com/canada-permanent-resident-visa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly skilled immigrants to get permanent residency</a>, where they have the freedom to change jobs without a time limit. It also requires only a three-year permanent-residency period before you can apply for citizenship, much faster than the decade it can take in the US. The wait can be even longer for immigrants from India and China, given the limits for each country.Japan slashed <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-to-grant-residency-to-high-earning-professionals-after-1-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wait times to get permanent residency for researchers and engineers</a> to one year, Singapore introduced a <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3190584/singapore-rolls-out-new-visa-top-global-talent-tech-sport-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visa targeted at tech workers</a>, and the UK grants graduates from top universities (many in the US) <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2022/05/31/britain-opens-up-its-visas-for-graduates-of-worlds-top-universities/?sh=3d31f79d27fc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visas regardless of nationality</a>.That makes those countries more attractive for entrepreneurs and highly skilled tech workers — and it incentivizes even American tech companies to emphasize hiring for new roles in countries with more flexible immigration policies because they can hire from around the world in those offices, Anver, one of the immigration attorneys, said.<h2>Immigrants who leave America can find a higher quality of life elsewhere</h2>Despite the pandemic, and the backlogs in the system over the past few years, applications for H-1B visas are just as high as ever, signaling that the US is still the top choice for many.At the same time, though, those who leave for countries like Canada aren't necessarily eager to return.That's the case for Aditya Joshi, who emigrated from India to the US on an L-1 visa. After two years on the job, his employer reassigned him back to India. He quickly found out that he didn't have a lot of options if he wanted to stay in the US: He couldn't switch employers under the terms of an L-1, and if his company revoked its sponsorship of his visa, it would endanger his ability to stay in the US.Knowing that the US system could be complicated, he previously applied for residency in Canada. He ultimately moved his family there in 2021, when he landed a job with Meta that allowed him to work remotely. Canada's more flexible approach allowed him to stay in the country without an expiration date, meaning more peace of mind for him and his family.In Canada, he said the cost of living was lower, the real estate was cheaper, and policy around immigrant workers was less politically charged. He has complicated feelings about moving back to the US. While Canada offers more stability, he does feel like growing in his career will be harder from outside the pull of Silicon Valley.For now, though, he's happy to stay in Canada."We can afford a bigger house over here. Things are greener and cleaner over here — those things are definitely much better in Canada," he said. "I don't have to worry about what happens tomorrow."

America needs immigration reform, or it risks of losing an entire generation of tech workers to countries like Canada, the UK, and Japan

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vaishali Gauba dreamed of being a journalist in the US but wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa. </li><li>Years later, Gauba secured a work visa in Canada after moving there to study. </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Vaishali Gauba, 29, about her experience navigating the US and Canadian immigration systems. Business Insider verified her visas. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-to-usa-denmark-pros-prefer-america-2024-3">moved to the US</a> when I was 17, with ambitions of being a journalist.I grew up in Gurugram, India, and moved to New Jersey in 2012 for my undergraduate degree. I studied journalism, media studies, and business management at Rutgers University.I worked with major US news outlets during and after college and wanted to keep working in America, but couldn't secure an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-startups-sponsor-h1b-work-visas-2024-1">H-1B work visa</a>. I returned to India feeling defeated. Five years later, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/english-man-moved-to-canada-loves-it-surprising-things-2023-10">relocated to Canada</a>.In Canada, I found a clearer path to securing a work permit, and I'm less worried about being uprooted by the immigration system.<h2 id="b6a8d628-2960-4ae2-bfa9-e6651b4da0a4">I interned at US media companies at university</h2>I came to the US on an F-1 visa, which is for full-time students.During my studies, I worked for the student newspaper, The Daily Targum, and also did news internships at CNBC, NBC, and CBS, which each lasted around four months.I remember having to get permission from international student services and the journalism department to do the internships, as there were restrictions around working off-campus for F-1 students. The work had to be related to my field of study.I remember feeling anxious about needing to get so many approvals to work as an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-employers-can-support-international-students-job-seekers-2022-3">international student</a>, but thankfully, I was permitted to do the internships.Working at big-name publications felt like a milestone, but it was also difficult to balance the internships with two college majors.<h2 id="76d690be-d407-4073-9d70-b7a3d889b3da">I wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa to stay in the US</h2>I became accustomed to the reality that anything related to my professional life required a lot of paperwork. I knew that to continue working in the US, I needed to apply for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-arrests-15-students-employed-fake-companies-to-stay-us-2020-10">optional practical training</a>, which allows F-1 students to work for a year in a field related to their studies.I graduated in May 2016, and after my OPT was approved, I started on the CBS Page Program, a rotational program for graduates.I had several assignments there, including on the evening news and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I talked with Stephen Colbert at the show's rooftop parties and saw many celebrities on the job.But my time there was limited. The Page Program lasted a year, around the time my OPT expired. After six months on the program, I asked CBS about the possibility of sponsoring me for an H-1B visa but was told they don't offer sponsorships.I didn't realize this when I started working there, but I wanted the experience and to work on my OPT, so I would have done the program regardless.I applied to other jobs, but many applications included a question about whether I'd need a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fake-name-resume-hired-guilty-2024-5">visa sponsorship</a> now or in the future. I felt that this one question was already filtering me out as a candidate and I wasn't getting called for interviews.I spoke with two lawyers about my options. They told me about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ukraine-tech-culture-differences-2024-5">O-1 visa</a> for people with "extraordinary" ability in certain fields. I tried gathering references for the application, but as time went on, I felt my chances were slim.This is partly because the lawyers shared case studies of people who received O-1 visas with me, and I felt they were more arts-orientated than journalism-orientated. I felt the lawyers weren't confident I had a good chance, so I decided not to apply.Extended family members and lawyers suggested I continue my education to stay in the US on another F-1 visa. I eventually decided against this as I didn't think I could learn anything about news from a school program I wasn't already learning at CBS.<h2 id="f3fc1807-fde1-4bd6-b552-e9cd476f3cef">I went back to India feeling defeated</h2>I started to feel lost. I remember lashing out at my dad on the phone when he suggested I come home, but in the end, I had a gut feeling that it was time to return to India, so <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-us-for-northern-ireland-these-cultural-differences-surprised-me-2023-9">I left the US</a> in August 2017.It felt like a defeat. I knew I wanted to be a journalist in America, but I couldn't do it. I'd given so much to the US in terms of time, energy, and money, and it was hard to accept that I had to give up on it because of visa stuff.I spent the next five years in India, working in journalism before pivoting into a brand and communications position. In 2021, I began freelancing in PR and marketing strategy.I planned on doing a master's in digital media to boost my PR career. My boyfriend at the time, who's my husband now, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-sydney-australia-to-canada-pros-cons-2024-5">moved to Canada</a> for his MBA in 2021, so I started exploring master's options there.<h2 id="d34eb837-2609-4a93-ba9b-25683513eb6c">I've found the Canadian immigration system to be more immigrant-friendly</h2>I came to Canada on a study permit and started my master's program at Toronto Metropolitan University in September 2022.I applied for a work visa in September 2023 after finishing my studies. While it took a long time to get my study permit because of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cicnews.com/2023/12/breaking-canadian-parliament-committee-provides-recommendations-to-address-immigration-backlogs-1240610.html#gs.bm1bft">the backlog created by COVID-19</a>, the work visa process took less than a month and was fairly easy.Graduating from my master's program made me eligible for an open work permit, which isn't tied to a specific employer. I'm self-employed as a freelancer.Unlike the US <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B process</a>, I didn't need an employer to sponsor me, and there was no lottery system.While I'm aware that some people have a hard time coming to Canada, my overall experience of Canadian immigration processes has been smooth. I feel it's more favorable to immigrants than the US processes.I couldn't get a work visa in the US, but there was a clearer and more stable path to getting one in Canada.When I left the US in 2017, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-first-week-as-president-2017-1">Donald Trump</a> had just become president. My understanding is that it's become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-twitter-speak-out-against-trump-h1b-visa-freeze-2020-6">harder to get a work visa in the US</a> since.My work visa expires in October 2024, and I'm open to options for settling in Canada beyond that. Moving back to India is still a small possibility as my partner, and I have family there, but I like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montreal-canada-city-low-cost-of-living-quality-of-life-2024-6">quality of life in Canada</a>, and I'm less concerned about my life being uprooted here than I was in the US.

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Around election time, nervous Americans tend to start Googling ways they can move to <keyword id="6356687" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="canada">Canada</keyword>.</li><li>This year is no different, and searches like "<keyword id="10217728" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="can-i-move-to-canada">Can I move to Canada</keyword>" started spiking about an hour into the first US presidential debate.</li><li>There are a few ways you can move to Canada if you're a US citizen, and you don't have to become a Canadian citizen to live there.</li><li>You can get a regular visitor visa and stay up to six months, request to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, or become a permanent resident.</li><li>But it's worth noting that the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trudeau-trump-canada-u-s-border-closure-1.5765323">Canadian border remains closed to the US</a> due to the coronavirus pandemic. </li></ul>When <a href="https://www.insider.com/politics">politics</a> get heated in the US, Americans tend to engage in escapist fantasies of <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-things-to-do-canada-photos-2017-6">moving north</a>.It comes as little surprise, then, that Google searches around <keyword id="1054271" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Moving-to-Canada">moving to Canada</keyword> are seeing a huge increase during one of the most divisive US elections in recent memory.<a href="https://nypost.com/2020/09/30/google-searches-for-move-to-canada-spike-after-presidential-debate/">As The New York Post reported,</a> queries around "move to Canada" saw massive spikes <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%203-m&amp;geo=US&amp;q=move%20to%20canada,can%20i%20move%20to%20canada,how%20to%20move%20to%20canada20canada">on Google</a> an hour into the shouting match that was the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.But Americans looking to escape north is nothing new.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canadian-immigration-site-crash-election-2016-11">The Canadian government's immigration website crashed</a> as the results of the 2016 US presidential election started rolling in. And if you <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&amp;geo=US&amp;q=how%20to%20apply%20for%20canadian%20citizenship,how%20to%20move%20to%20canada20canada">look at Google trends</a>, searches on moving to Canada also spiked in November 2004 during the presidential race between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry. They also saw some uptick in November 2012 when Gov. Mitt Romney ran against President Barack Obama.Despite the searches, not many Americans seem to follow through, however.<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/us/immigrating-to-canada-stats-trnd/index.html">CNN reports</a> that the number of applicants from the US between January and March increased only by 3.6% from 2016 to 2017, which constitutes only 66 more applications.If you're dead-set on moving to Canada though, the good <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> is that yes, it turns out you can generally move to Canada from the US, and you have a few options for doing so.<div type="image" title="Canada Flag" height="2676" width="3569" msid="79031821" hostid="261"></div>The bad news, however, is twofold, depending, in part, on what you're looking to get out of the move.The first, more immediate hurdle is the fact that the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canadians-want-border-us-to-stay-closed-end-2020-2020-8">Canadian border is closed to the US</a> due to the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a>. And if you're looking to become a Canadian citizen, it's actually <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-move-canada-2017-1">pretty darn difficult to do that</a>.That said, let's look at the other viable options that would allow you to move to Canada during normal circumstances besides citizenship.Most people can stay in Canada for <a href="https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1016&amp;top=16p=16">up to six months</a> with a simple <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/about-visitor-visa.html">visitor visa</a>, which is also known as a temporary resident visa. However, holders of this visa cannot work or study in Canada.To stay longer than six months, you can request a <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay.html">visitor record</a>, which will give you a new expiration date by which you need to leave Canada. But getting this document that allows you to stay longer as a visitor, as well as how long you can stay, depends on the purpose of your stay and other variables.If you're considering a more permanent move, you'll want to apply for <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/understand-pr-status.html">permanent resident status</a>. While permanent residents can work, study, and have healthcare in Canada, unlike citizens, they can't vote, run for office, or get certain jobs with high-security clearance. To expedite the process, you can apply express if you're a skilled worker, through a family sponsorship if you have Canadian relatives, with a start-up visa if you plan on starting a business, or through specific Canadian provinces and territories, among other options.You can find out if you're eligible to become a permanent resident, as well as which option is best for you, <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool.html">through the Canadian government's immigration website</a>. Finally, if you have spent at least five years in Canada as a permanent resident — and can prove that you were <a href="https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/resCalcStartNew.do">physically present in Canada </a>for at least 1,095 days during those five years — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-move-canada-2017-1">you can apply for Canadian citizenship</a>.Applying for Canadian citizenship will require you to be at least 18 years old, speak English or French, take a basic quiz on Canadian history, values, and institutions, and provide income tax filing, among other things.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-things-to-do-canada-photos-2017-6"></a><a href="https://www.insider.com/american-who-moved-to-canada-experience-2018-6">I'm an American who moved to Canada —here's why I'll never move back</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-move-canada-2016-11">How to move to Canada and become a Canadian citizen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-things-to-do-canada-photos-2017-6">23 photos that will make you want to travel to Canada</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/canadian-celebrities-2019-3">20 celebrities you probably didn't realize were Canadian</a></li></ul>

Americans are Googling how they can move to Canada during a divisive election

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Consulting firm Henley &amp; Partners released the 2024 ranking of the world's most powerful passports.</li><li>Two Asian and four European countries were tied for having the world's most powerful passport.</li></ul>Six countries now have the world's most powerful passport, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking">according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index</a> — but the US isn't one of them.UK-based consulting firm Henley &amp; Partners first published the index in 2006. Passports are ranked based on the number of destinations they can access without a visa or e-visa, relying on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 passports and considers the ease of access to 227 destinations.Four countries in Europe and two in Asia were tied for having the most powerful passports — the first time in the index's history, according to a Henley &amp; Partners press release.For Asia, it was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-travel-food-hotel-budget-tips-price-cost-expensive-cheap-2024-1">Singapore</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dad-living-in-tokyo-shares-differences-in-school-culture-2023-12">Japan</a>, both <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-powerful-passports-in-the-world-in-2022-ranked-2022-7">retaining the top spot from last year's index</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-pass-for-paris-local-cafes-shops-public-transit-2023">France</a>, Germany, Italy, and Spain — all part of the European Union — were added. All six have visa-free entry to 194 destinations.The US ranked seventh — tying with Hungary and Canada — in this year's index, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index">with visa-free entry to 188 destinations</a>. Countries that require visas for US passport holders include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tourism-still-declining-in-china-2023-9">China</a>, Brazil, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michelin-guide-hanoi-vietnam-missing-best-street-food-pho-2023-12">Vietnam</a>. Twenty-five countries ranked higher than the US on the index.Over 67 million US citizens traveled overseas last year, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/apisi-92-monitor">according to data by the International Trade Administration.</a> Some popular destinations Americans travel to — including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mexico-city-cdmx-best-places-to-eat-restaurants-tacos-2023-2">Mexico</a>, Canada, and Italy — are visa-free.The strength of the US passport has declined in the past decade, peaking in 2006 and 2014 and ranking first on the index, data from the Henley Passport Index show. The US has ranked seventh since 2020 — the lowest it's been ranked in the index's history.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-mannequin-women-afghanistan-covered-face-mask-hood-2023-1">Afghanistan</a> took last place on the index, with visa-free entry to 28 countries. Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen are the bottom five countries, with 29, 31, 34, and 35 visa-free destinations, respectively.<div type="image" title="Mount Fuji Tokyo" height="800" width="1200" msid="106751085" hostid="261" sizebytes="91508"></div><h2>These are the 10 most powerful passports for 2024, and how many countries they each grant visa-free access to:</h2><ol><li>France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain 194 destinations</li><li>Finland, South Korea, and Sweden 193 destinations</li><li>Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands 192 destinations</li><li>Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the UK 191 destinations</li><li>Greece, Malta, and Switzerland 190 destinations</li><li>Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Poland 189 destinations</li><li>Canada, Hungary, and the US 188 destinations</li><li>Estonia and Lithuania 187 destinations</li><li>Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia 186 destinations</li><li>Iceland 185 destinations</li></ol>

6 countries have tied for the world's most powerful passport — and the US isn't one of them

<ul class="summary-list"><li>While the US has long been a tech sector destination, the country's recent political climate has pushed noncitizen tech workers to reconsider their options — and <keyword id="6356687" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="canada">Canada</keyword> could be benefiting, <a href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-markets-b140be1f-17c2-47c0-aa75-fa62b2c6f89a.html?chunk=3&amp;utm_term=emshare#story3ory3">Axios</a> reported.</li><li>Axios cited <a href="https://cset.georgetown.edu/research/canadas-immigration-system-increasingly-draws-talent-from-the-united-states/">a study</a> from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology which found that even before the pandemic, Canada's skilled <keyword id="50403" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Immigration">immigration</keyword> program has been successfully processing a high number of noncitizen American residents.</li><li>From 2017 to 2019, more than 20,000 applied for and received express entry permanent residence in Canada, and the number increased by 75% over that period, the study found. </li><li>From the Trump administration <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-ban-work-visas-h1b-immigration-restrictions-attorneys-2020-6">freezing H-1B visas</a> to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-may-reverse-directive-that-could-deport-international-students-2020-7">nearly barring international students</a> at colleges operating remotely, the US is at risk of intensifying this flow of residents, and pushing its top tech talent out.</li><li>Following the <keyword id="6358066" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="h-1b-visa">H-1B visa</keyword> ban, the CEO of Ottawa-based Shopify <a href="https://twitter.com/tobi/status/1275406372411146245?s=20">tweeted</a>: "If this affects your plans, consider coming to Canada," suggesting that company at least is welcoming American talent. </li><li>In 2019, the US was the third most popular recipient of express entry for skilled noncitizen workers, behind India ... and Canada.</li><li>Canadian immigration numbers are likely to increase and US immigration numbers are likely to fall. <a href="https://nfap.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Immigrants-and-Americas-Comeback-From-The-Covid-19-Crisis.NFAP-Policy-Brief.July-2020.pdf">A study</a> from the National Foundation of American Policy projected that enrollment of new international students at US colleges — the exact kind of person Canada would welcome — is set to decline this fall by 63% to 98%. </li><li>Business Insider has provided a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-move-canada-2017-1">step-by-step guide</a> on moving to Canada and becoming a citizen.</li></ul>

Canada is way ahead in scooping up tech talent from the US

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Many people in the tech industry are choosing to move to Canada over the US because of the US' restrictive <keyword id="50403" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Immigration">immigration</keyword> laws.</li><li>Since 2013, <keyword id="29196" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Toronto">Toronto</keyword> has added more <keyword id="625018" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="tech-jobs">tech jobs</keyword> than any other place in North America, including <keyword id="6357722" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword>.</li><li>25% of Canada's overall workforce are immigrants, and in the tech space that number is even higher — 40%.</li></ul>Silicon Valley's reputation as the world's leading tech hub could be in jeopardy because of the United States' restrictive immigration laws.Tens of thousands of immigrant tech workers have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-could-accelerate-silicon-valleys-migration-to-canada-2020-5">flocked to Toronto</a> in the past few years, making it the fastest growing tech hub in North America.Many of them are deliberately avoiding the US as the Trump administration clamps down on immigration. In June, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-executive-order-work-visas-immigration-2020-6">temporarily suspended visas</a> known as H-1B visas, which are awarded to thousands of skilled immigrant workers each year.The visa suspension is prompting some immigrants, like former Silicon Valley product manager Asim Fayaz, to move north to Canada. "There is a whole world out there, and you are probably better off going somewhere else because you'd be treated more human," said Fayaz, a Pakistani immigrant who now runs an <a href="https://thecharcoalgrillca.square.site/">online restaurant business</a> in Toronto. "You don't need to be, like, pleading for your existence all the time."Every year, the US government reserves 85,000 H-1B visas for skilled foreign professionals — people like Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and started companies such as Tesla and SpaceX in the US.Fayaz came to the US to attend the University of California, and landed a job after graduating with a master's degree in 2016. As an immigrant, trying to find work in the US was tough — he needed an American employer to not just hire him, but also sponsor his H-1B work visa.This year, immigration laws suddenly changed as Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/">suspended the program</a>, citing "an unusual threat to the employment of American workers" during the coronavirus pandemic. The move left thousands in limbo.But while the US is closing doors, Canada has been rolling out the welcome mat. Since 2013, <a href="http://cbre.vo.llnwd.net/grgservices/secure/2019%20US%20%20Tech%20Talent.pdf?e=1596133272&amp;h=09e04601f6264c5c3c7d134c5aeb99899989">the number of tech jobs in Toronto has skyrocketed</a> from about 148,000 to 228,000, an increase of 54%."We have over 100,000 people immigrate to the Toronto region each year, which is twice as many as San Francisco Bay Area," Jason Goldlist, cofounder of <a href="https://www.techtoronto.org/">TechToronto</a>, said. And we don't just attract the quantity. It's also quality because a fifth of these immigrants already have a STEM degree before they even arrive here.Canadian e-commerce giant <a href="https://www.shopify.com/">Shopify</a> is trying to capitalize on the opportunity. Following Trump's announcement, CEO Tobias Lutke — himself an immigrant from Germany — <a href="https://twitter.com/tobi/status/1275406372411146245">tweeted</a>, "If this affects your plans consider coming to Canada instead."Sandeep Anand, the company's senior mobility lead, echoed Lutke's call for talent: "Whether they're already in Canada, whether they're globally present, we're looking to really expand our diverse workforce. And in some cases it does mean that we would need to relocate and provide immigration support, which we're happy to do," she told <keyword id="9054837" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="business-insider-today">Business Insider Today</keyword>.According to a <a href="https://www.ictc-ctic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Digital-Economy-Supply_The-Immigration-Stream.pdf">2016 study</a>, 25% of Canada's workforce are immigrants. And in the tech space, that number is even higher — 40%, or 350,000 workers.<div type="image" title="donald trump oval office" height="4000" width="6000" msid="77272964" hostid="261"></div>And there's still room for more, says Ilya Brotzky, the founder &amp; CEO of VanHack, a Canadian firm that helps place global talent in tech jobs across North America. Brotzky cited Canada's <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/724672/canada-ict-sector-employment-vs-overall-economy/">3% unemployment rate in the tech sector</a>, well below its overall unemployment rate. "It's not like there's a bunch of Canadians waiting to take these jobs," Brotzky said. "The unemployment rate is really, really low. We can't find the people."Brotzky argues it makes economic sense for US companies to open offices in Canada, as well."You have these people that can basically work in the same time zone, quick flight from you, really easy laws, super fast to set up, and you have the benefit of Canadian dollar salaries," he told Business Insider Today. "But more importantly, you have access to the global talent pool. So you can bring in any developer from around the world that's good."That's why Canada is trying to attract highly skilled foreign professionals through visa programs like the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/global-talent/requirements.html">Global Talent Stream</a>, launched in 2017. Immigration experts say it is like the H-1B program, but a lot better. "It's a very fast processing time. It takes anywhere from roughly around two weeks to complete the first stage. And then the second stage, which is the work permit stage. It takes another two weeks. So you could be in Canada as quickly as a month," Blayne Kumar, founder of the immigration services company Bright Immigration, said.<div type="image" title="Toronto" height="2000" width="3000" msid="77272965" hostid="261"></div>For Fayaz, the decision to move from the US to Canada came after he was laid off from his Silicon Valley company, when he and his wife became fed up with constantly worrying about their legal status."It's not even like in 10 years, I will get it," he said. "It's like maybe, maybe not. Who knows, who cares. We don't need you in this country."And the recent suspension of the <keyword id="6358066" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="h-1b-visa">H-1B visa</keyword> program only confirmed his worst fears."You know that scene in movies where the actor is leaving the scene and the world is blowing up behind you, right? I feel like that — that I kind of managed to exit the scene somehow, magically," he said. "And I look back and the US is just blowing up.""So many of my friends, people that I worked with, went to school with, they're all impacted. And whenever I get a phone call, I just feel so sorry for all those people."

Toronto is emerging as a tech superpower as immigrants choose Canada over the US

<ul><li>As per The Henley Passport Index, India is up seven positions from 90th in October 2021 to 83rd in January 2022.</li><li>The country now has access to two more countries without a prior visa as compared to last year.</li><li>These are the <keyword id="8572074" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-powerful-passports-in-the-world" source="Orion">most powerful passports in the world</keyword>.</li></ul>India is 83rd on The Henley Passport Index, up seven positions since October 2021. The country now has access to 60 countries without a prior visa. The ranking is based on International Air Transport Authority (IATA) data on how easy it is for citizens from different countries to move around. These are the <keyword id="8011256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-powerful-passports" source="Orion">most powerful passports</keyword> in the world — 1. Japan and Singapore Both Japan and Singapore secured the first rank again in the list. The passport holders from these countries can travel visa free to 192 countries. 2. Germany and South Korea Grabbing the second spot yet again, Germany and South Korea passport holders can travel to 190 countries without a prior visa. 3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain These countries combinely share the third rank of the list. Citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to 189 countries. 4. Austria, Denmark, France and Netherlands France and Netherlands climb up by one spot to join Austria and Denmark at number 4, with access to 188 countries without a prior visa. 5. Ireland and Portugal Swedish and Portuguese can travel to 187 countries without any prior visa. 6. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States The sixth rank is shared by these six countries in the list. Citizens of these countries can travel to 186 countries without any prior visa. 7. Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece and Malta Australia and Canada climb one position joining the countries at the seventh position. People of these five countries can travel to 185 countries without a prior visa. 8. Hungary and Poland Hungary climbs two positions, whereas Poland rises by three spots to seventh rank. People from these two countries have access to 184 countries without a prior visa. 9. Lithuania and Slovakia Citizens of Lithuania and Slovakia have the right to travel to 182 countries without a prior visa. 10. Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia shared the tenth ranking in the list of powerful passport countries. Passport holders of these countries can enjoy no visa travel to 181 countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/booster-doses-of-current-vaccines-may-not-be-enough/articleshow/88845700.cms">Booster doses of current vaccines may not be enough to fight emerging COVID-19 variants, says WHO</a>

You Searched For "canada visa" and got 12 results

Canada extends ban on international travellers to July 31

IANS

Canada mulls putting cap on international students numbers; move likely to impact Indians

PTI

I moved from the UK to Canada and work remotely. Tipping and sales tax are the biggest culture shocks.

Jyoti Mann

India temporarily suspends visa services in Canada

BI India Bureau

Indians are ahead in getting work visas from Canada, beat China

BI India Bureau

America needs immigration reform, or it risks of losing an entire generation of tech workers to countries like Canada, the UK, and Japan

Emilia David,Paayal Zaveri

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother.

Charissa Cheong

Americans are Googling how they can move to Canada during a divisive election

Sophie-Claire Hoeller

6 countries have tied for the world's most powerful passport — and the US isn't one of them

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Canada is way ahead in scooping up tech talent from the US

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Toronto is emerging as a tech superpower as immigrants choose Canada over the US

Havovi Cooper,Dylan Bank

RANKED: The most powerful passports in the world

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