Author: Josh Schachnow, CEO, Visto
Introduced in 2015, the Canadian Express Entry program has been
met with enthusiasm by migrant workers and Canadian companies alike. Express
Entry is a points-based system that takes into account many factors, such as
age, education and work experience. Those whose Comprehensive Ranking System
(CRS) score meets the threshold receive an invitation to apply for their permanent
residency.
met with enthusiasm by migrant workers and Canadian companies alike. Express
Entry is a points-based system that takes into account many factors, such as
age, education and work experience. Those whose Comprehensive Ranking System
(CRS) score meets the threshold receive an invitation to apply for their permanent
residency.
While Express Entry and the American H-1B both reward highly
skilled workers, there are some major differences between the two systems —
differences that could tip the scale one way or the other for prospective
migrant workers. With that in mind, let’s look at how Express Entry stands up
against the H-1B system.
skilled workers, there are some major differences between the two systems —
differences that could tip the scale one way or the other for prospective
migrant workers. With that in mind, let’s look at how Express Entry stands up
against the H-1B system.
Flexibility: Perhaps the biggest difference between the H-1B system and
Canadian Express Entry is that H-1B visas require sponsorship by an American
company. In order to keep their H-1B status, the holder of the visa must
continue to be employed by the company that sponsored their visa unless they
are able to find another employer that can sponsor them. The grace period for
this is just 60 days from the end of employment.
Canadian Express Entry is that H-1B visas require sponsorship by an American
company. In order to keep their H-1B status, the holder of the visa must
continue to be employed by the company that sponsored their visa unless they
are able to find another employer that can sponsor them. The grace period for
this is just 60 days from the end of employment.
Express Entry, on the other hand, allows individuals to obtain
permanent residency without having a job already lined up. If you’re a tech
worker looking to work in North America and are struggling to land a job from
your home country, Express Entry may be your best shot. Additionally, Express
Entry allows you to work for any company in Canada, so there’s no worry of
being tied to just one.
permanent residency without having a job already lined up. If you’re a tech
worker looking to work in North America and are struggling to land a job from
your home country, Express Entry may be your best shot. Additionally, Express
Entry allows you to work for any company in Canada, so there’s no worry of
being tied to just one.
Number of visas granted: H-1B visas have a well-earned reputation among American companies
for being notoriously difficult to get ahold of. That’s because the number of
allotted H-1B visas is limited by law to 65,000 bachelor degree-level holders each year, plus
20,000 more for those who hold a master’s degree or
higher.
for being notoriously difficult to get ahold of. That’s because the number of
allotted H-1B visas is limited by law to 65,000 bachelor degree-level holders each year, plus
20,000 more for those who hold a master’s degree or
higher.
Canada, by comparison, applies no such cap to their Express Entry
system. Despite being one-tenth the size of the U.S. by population, over 92,000
applicants were approved through Express Entry in 2018 — and the government
hopes to admit over 1 million more permanent residents over the next three years. If you’re certain you have the skills that North American
tech companies need but don’t want to roll the dice
in the highly-competitive American H-1B lottery system, consider opting for
Express Entry.
system. Despite being one-tenth the size of the U.S. by population, over 92,000
applicants were approved through Express Entry in 2018 — and the government
hopes to admit over 1 million more permanent residents over the next three years. If you’re certain you have the skills that North American
tech companies need but don’t want to roll the dice
in the highly-competitive American H-1B lottery system, consider opting for
Express Entry.
Duration of stay: Approved Express Entry applicants are granted permanent residency
in Canada for five years, which can then be renewed for another five years.
Express Entry is also the beginning of a path to citizenship: Having resided in
Canada for at least three of the last five years is one of the conditions of
applying for citizenship.
in Canada for five years, which can then be renewed for another five years.
Express Entry is also the beginning of a path to citizenship: Having resided in
Canada for at least three of the last five years is one of the conditions of
applying for citizenship.
Compare that to nonpermanent resident H-1B visas, which last just
three years, initially — though they can be extended for another three. Worse,
after those six years are up, workers must either: (1) leave the country or apply
and (be approved) for a new immigration status, such as student or
“extraordinary ability worker,” (2) apply for a green card, or (3) apply for a special extension. Of course, the success of these applications are by no
means assured. By comparison, Express Entry’s self-reliant and more relaxed
approach often provides a better path to long-term residency and, ultimately,
citizenship.
three years, initially — though they can be extended for another three. Worse,
after those six years are up, workers must either: (1) leave the country or apply
and (be approved) for a new immigration status, such as student or
“extraordinary ability worker,” (2) apply for a green card, or (3) apply for a special extension. Of course, the success of these applications are by no
means assured. By comparison, Express Entry’s self-reliant and more relaxed
approach often provides a better path to long-term residency and, ultimately,
citizenship.
Express
Entry: Canada’s competitive advantage: The
United States and Canada have a lot in common. They share a border, a language,
and even professional sports leagues. Their populations are multicultural and
their economies dependent on migrant labor. One thing they don’t share,
however, is a straightforward immigration system for skilled foreign workers.
Simply put, there is no current U.S. equivalent to Canada’s Express Entry
system.
Entry: Canada’s competitive advantage: The
United States and Canada have a lot in common. They share a border, a language,
and even professional sports leagues. Their populations are multicultural and
their economies dependent on migrant labor. One thing they don’t share,
however, is a straightforward immigration system for skilled foreign workers.
Simply put, there is no current U.S. equivalent to Canada’s Express Entry
system.
If
you’re looking for permanent residency in North America to work in tech or other
high-skilled industries, make sure you look at alternatives such as Express
Entry before committing to the H-1B path. To see whether you’d have a good
chance at Express Entry, head over to our free calculator here.
you’re looking for permanent residency in North America to work in tech or other
high-skilled industries, make sure you look at alternatives such as Express
Entry before committing to the H-1B path. To see whether you’d have a good
chance at Express Entry, head over to our free calculator here.
 |
| Josh Schachnow, CEO of Visto |
Josh Schachnow is a Toronto-based immigration lawyer who has
helped over 100 skilled workers move to Canada. He is also CEO of Visto (www.visto.ai), which builds free tools to help skilled Indian technology professionals
immigrate to Canada.
helped over 100 skilled workers move to Canada. He is also CEO of Visto (www.visto.ai), which builds free tools to help skilled Indian technology professionals
immigrate to Canada.
