The H-1B visa fee hike in the United States opens a policy window for Canada

The MaRS urban innovation hub building in Toronto. Canada may benefit from the American H-1B visa fee increase by attracting highly skilled tech workers and others from abroad to Canada instead of the United States. (WikiMedia), CC BY

The United States government recently announced a US$100,000 H-1B visa fee on new applications, which will affect highly educated workers from abroad who are seeking jobs in the U.S. This policy could have ripple effects for Canada by reducing the emigration of Canadians going to work in the U.S. — and by attracting a talented workforce to the country.