Maple News reports that more than half of American employers are actively exploring or have already expanded operations into Canada, reflecting a growing trend driven by access to global talent and more favorable immigration policies north of the border.
According to a recent survey by Envoy Global, a U.S.-based immigration services firm, 57% of HR professionals and hiring managers from across the United States said they are either evaluating or have completed Canadian expansion plans. While tapping into the Canadian market was a key motivator, many cited Canada’s welcoming approach to foreign talent as a crucial factor.
About 31% of respondents indicated they’re considering Canada specifically as an alternative to the U.S. for hiring skilled international professionals. Over the past two to three years, nearly 70% of those polled said their companies have either deployed more employees to Canada or hired more foreign nationals within the country.
At the heart of this trend is a comparison between the two countries’ immigration frameworks. Canada boasts over 100 economic-based immigration programs, offering international graduates and foreign workers a range of opportunities and a clear pathway to permanent residency. In contrast, the U.S. immigration system, including programs like the H-1B visa, remains constrained by limited quotas and long processing times.
Over 50% of survey participants said Canada’s immigration system is more advantageous than that of the U.S., underscoring its flexible visa policies and the abundance of immigration routes, particularly for skilled workers and graduates from abroad.
With global mobility possibly rebounding as travel restrictions ease, U.S. firms expect to resume international assignments—even more so for relocating talent unable to obtain authorization to work in the United States. Canada is increasingly becoming the destination of choice in such situations.
The report issued a stark warning: without meaningful reforms to its immigration system, the U.S. risks losing both businesses and top international talent to countries like Canada that have created more accessible, responsive, and inclusive pathways for global workers.
As employers seek to secure and retain a global workforce in a competitive talent market, Canada’s immigration-friendly policies appear to offer a strategic advantage that many American companies can no longer ignore.