Trump’s H-1B Visa Halt Focuses Tech Talent On Canada

Tech executives are urging skilled workers to “look North” after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday temporarily blocking some employment-related visas, including Silicon Valley’s preferred visa for hiring high-skilled immigrants.

The H-1B visa allows skilled workers with “highly specialized knowledge,” such as engineers and scientists, to work in the United States for three years, with the possibility of a three-year extension.

Many believe the H-1B visa is a key factor in the success of the U.S. tech sector, particularly in Silicon Valley, where Big Tech giants compete for the world’s best talent.

Most major tech leaders have called out President Trump for his recent visa halt. The most telling comment came from Twitter chairman Patrick Pichette, a Canadian, who tweeted that all H-1B seekers should “just look to the North, where we welcome you.”

Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke tweeted something similar and VP Kaz Nejatian went as far as registering the domain name www.H1Bengineer.com and redirecting IT to Shopify’s careers page.

If this affects your plans consider coming to Canada 🇨🇦 instead. Shopify is hiring all over the world and we have lots of experience helping with relocation. Let us know at https://t.co/dmzfp4EwB9 https://t.co/yUUjoEt9gp

— Tobi Lutke 🌳🌲🛒🕹 (@tobi) June 23, 2020