The conversation was recorded before Canada’s H-1B open work permit program, before the $100,000 fee, and before the political turbulence that has made the question more urgent than it has ever been. It holds up.
What They Covered
Daniel joined Marc Pavlopoulos, CEO of Syndesus and Path to Canada, to walk through the practical side of the Canada option for H-1B holders and their employers.
The discussion covered three areas that remain directly relevant today:
What happens after a failed H-1B lottery?
For many high-skilled workers, particularly those who have been through the lottery process multiple times, the uncertainty of the U.S. system is no longer a temporary inconvenience. The session addressed what realistic next steps look like.
Canada’s immigration framework for skilled workers. Daniel walked through how Canada’s points-based system works, why it tends to favour certain profiles, and what permanent residency pathways are available for people currently in the U.S. on temporary status.
Options for U.S. employers and employees. One of the more practical parts of the conversation addressed what companies can do when a valued employee’s H-1B status is uncertain. Canada has options for both individuals and the employers who want to keep them, including LMIA-based work permits and LMIA-exempt categories under CUSMA.
Why This Conversation Is More Relevant in 2026 Than It Was in 2022
When this episode aired, the new $100,000 H-1B fee did not exist. Canada’s open work permit program for H-1B holders had not yet launched. The wave of tech layoffs that pushed tens of thousands of visa holders into uncertainty was still months away.
Everything that has happened since has made the core question sharper: if the U.S. system does not work out, what does Canada actually look like as an option?
The answer depends heavily on your specific background, your employer’s situation, and current Canadian policy. What was available in 2022 or 2023 is not necessarily available today. As Daniel noted in a 2025 News & Observer interview, Canada’s immigration posture has undergone a significant reversal since the period of open recruitment.
That does not mean the door is closed. It means the strategy matters more than it used to.
Considering Canada After an H-1B Setback?
If your H-1B lottery was unsuccessful, your status is uncertain, or your employer is weighing the cost of the new fee, our team can assess what Canadian options realistically look like for your situation.
We work with individuals currently in the U.S. on H-1B and other temporary visas, as well as with employers exploring cross-border staffing options. To start the conversation, fill out our immigration questionnaire or call us at (416) 646-3523.
