What followed over the next two years tells you almost everything you need to know about the current state of Canadian immigration – the promise, the reversal, and where things stand today.
Toronto immigration lawyer Daniel Mandelbaum was cited twice by The News & Observer, the leading newspaper covering North Carolina’s Research Triangle, as the story unfolded.
January 2024: When Canada Opened Its Doors
In January 2024, journalist Brian Gordon reported on the extraordinary response to Canada’s temporary H-1B open work permit program, launched in July 2023. The program allowed U.S.-based H-1B holders to apply for Canadian open work permits. The 10,000 available slots were filled in a single day.
Among the applicants were 428 people living in North Carolina. Only six other states had greater demand.
Daniel Mandelbaum explained the appeal clearly:
“Canada does not consider a person’s nationality when awarding permanent residence.”
For many H-1B holders, particularly Indian nationals facing green card backlogs of over a decade, this was a decisive advantage. As Mandelbaum noted, virtually every person who contacted his firm about the H-1B portal had one primary question:
“Every single person who contacted his law firm about this summer’s H-1B portal inquired about Canada’s permanent residency process.”
The article highlighted what made Canada’s offer attractive: workers were not tied to a single employer, spouses could work more easily, and the path to permanent residency in Canada was more realistic than the U.S. green card system for most nationalities.
Read the original article: When Canada Welcomed H-1B Workers, Hundreds in NC Immediately Applied – The News & Observer, January 2024.
August 2025: The Pendulum Swings Back
Eighteen months later, Brian Gordon returned to the story with a follow-up. Of the original applicants, only around 1,780 H-1B workers nationwide had actually relocated to Canada. That is 18% of the original pool.
The reasons were not hard to find. Canada’s immigration posture had shifted dramatically, driven by domestic concerns over housing costs and pressure on public services.
Daniel Mandelbaum described the shift in direct terms:
“There’s been a complete pendulum reversal from what we were seeing between 2022 and 2023.”
The work permit programs that had attracted tens of thousands of applicants were now subject to highly restrictive policies. Demand from U.S. visa holders had not disappeared, but the available pathways had narrowed considerably.
Read the original article: Canada Invited Hundreds of NC H-1B Workers. It Now Doesn’t Want More. – The News & Observer, August 2025.
What This Means for H-1B Holders Considering Canada Today
The two-year arc of this story reflects a broader truth about Canadian immigration: the landscape changes quickly, and strategy matters more than timing.
Canada’s long-term need for skilled workers has not disappeared. But the programs available, and the conditions attached to them, are different today than they were in 2023. For H-1B holders still considering Canada as a pathway, whether for a work permit, permanent residency, or LMIA-based employment, the right approach depends on your specific background, occupation, and current status.
Our team of immigration lawyers in Toronto works with U.S.-based professionals navigating the Canadian system. To discuss your situation, fill out our immigration questionnaire or call us at (416) 646-3523.
