World Immigration News

Canada eyes talent amid US curbs on immigration

Release Date: 2025-11-21
Media: China Daily
Summary: As U.S. immigration restrictions and research funding cuts create uncertainty for foreign talent, experts say Canada may be gaining an advantage despite its own capacity limitations.

Professor Rupa Banerjee of Toronto Metropolitan University notes that many skilled workers in the U.S., or those who once hoped to move there, are now reconsidering Canada as an alternative. Canada’s newly passed federal budget includes C$1.7 billion to attract top international researchers—including those affected by U.S. policies and H-1B visa holders—an opportunity for a country long challenged by weak innovation and productivity.

Banerjee argues that Canada has traditionally been a second choice for immigrants, but this may be changing as the U.S. risks losing both highly skilled workers and the high-achieving second generation of former H-1B holders. Canadian universities are already recruiting talent from the U.S., though Banerjee warns that Canada still lacks the research infrastructure to absorb large numbers of scholars.

Economist Mikal Skuterud adds that the new funding is more symbolic than transformative and that global competition for talent continues regardless of policy shifts. Still, if U.S. policies under Trump restrict H-1B applicants, Canada may find an opening to attract those the U.S. turns away.
Tags: Canada

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