New Express Entry Category for H-1B Visa Holders Under Consideration

If introduced, the category could give skilled workers currently based in the United States a new pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

The potential category was included in IRCC’s public consultations on economic priorities for Express Entry in 2027. In a survey included as part of the consultations, IRCC asks respondents whether new categories should focus on certain groups of highly skilled workers, including “candidates who hold a United States H-1B visa.”

Notably, the category is not confirmed at this stage. It remains under consideration and will only be confirmed in the future. But – this appears to be the clearest indication yet that IRCC is considering using Express Entry category-based draws to offer H-1B visa holders a direct pathway to permanent residence.

Could H-1B Visa Holders Get Their Own Express Entry Category?

IRCC conducts consultations each year before establishing its Express Entry categories. The 2026 consultation asks stakeholders for feedback on the categories that should be eligible for category-based draws in 2027.

One of the priorities under consideration is attracting and retaining highly skilled international workers in fields that support Canada’s economic growth. IRCC says it’s assessing how Express Entry could help by “facilitating permanent residence pathways” for this talent.

The survey identifies several groups that could receive new categories, including researchers, workers in occupations listed under the Global Talent Stream, candidates in occupations facing shortages, and H-1B visa holders. H-1B visas allow American employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, with a large share of visa holders working in STEM fields.

IRCC has not explained what the eligibility requirements for an H-1B category would look like. The survey describes the proposed group as H-1B visa holders who work “primarily in STEM occupations,” but the information included in the consultation is limited.

How Would an H-1B Express Entry Category Work?

Express Entry’s category-based draws allow IRCC to invite candidates who have specific work experience, or language skills. Canada currently has categories for French-language proficiency and for candidates with work experience in certain occupations including health care, skilled trades, education, transport, and STEM.

If an H-1B category is introduced, holding the American visa would not necessarily be enough to qualify for Canadian permanent residence. A candidate would still need to be eligible for one of the immigration programs managed through Express Entry and create a profile.

IRCC would then rank eligible candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS score) and invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent resident status.

What Can H-1B Workers Do to Prepare?

Notably, the category for H-1B workers has not yet been confirmed, so investing any time, money, and resources in preparation could be wasted if the category doesn’t end up making it into Express Entry’s 2027 priorities.

However, if an H-1B visa holder wanted to prepare in advance, they could begin by assessing their eligibility for one of the Express Entry-aligned programs, and gathering the documents required to enter the Express Entry pool.

Interested candidates can check their eligibility for Express Entry by using the Moving2Canada CRS score calculator.

If a person appears to be eligible, they could begin gathering their documents for entering the pool. The two documents that often take some time to acquire are:

(1) Official Language Tests: All Express Entry candidates need to submit official language test results demonstrating proficiency in either English or French. This is required even for candidates whose native language is English. It can take weeks or months to book a language test and receive results.

(2) Educational Credentials Assessments (ECAs): Express Entry candidates can only receive points for foreign educational credentials if they obtain an Educational Credentials Assessment that indicates the value of their foreign education by Canadian standards. Obtaining an ECA involves submitting official transcripts, paying for the report, and waiting for the ECA to be processed. This entire process can take several months.

Again, the category has not yet been confirmed. However, if an H-1B visa holder wanted to prepare for the possibility of this category, they could begin assessing eligibility and gathering the required documents.

Canada Has Targeted H-1B Workers Before

In July 2023, IRCC opened a temporary initiative allowing H-1B holders living to apply for open work permits. The program did not require applicants to have a Canadian job offer. Demand for the program was massive with the program reached its cap of 10,000 applications only two days after it opened.

The federal government returned to the idea in its Budget 2025, committing to launch an “accelerated pathway for H-1B visa holders” to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Although the government initially said the pathway would launch in the coming months, no launch date has been announced as of the publication date for this article.

Why Does Canada Want H-1B Visa Holders?

H-1B holders represent an attractive pool of potential immigrants because they have already secured employment in specialty occupations in the United States. Many have advanced education and professional experience in sectors Canada has identified as economic priorities, including technology, artificial intelligence, engineering, and more.

At the same time, the temporary nature of the H-1B system can leave workers uncertain about their ability to remain in the United States over the long term. Under the Trump Administration, H-1B visa holders have experience stricter scrutiny and more uncertainty about their immigration futures in the U.S. H-1B status is tied to a job, and the pathway from an H-1B visa to a green card can take a long time, especially for workers from countries facing large backlogs.

A dedicated Express Entry category could allow Canada to compete by offering eligible H-1B workers a simple route to obtaining permanent status (the equivalent of a U.S. green card). Canadian permanent residents can live and work anywhere in Canada and are not dependent on an employer or job to maintain their immigration status.

When Will Canada Announce Its 2027 Express Entry Categories?

IRCC has not provided a date for announcing its 2027 Express Entry categories. The department announced the categories for 2025 and 2026 in late February. That being said, IRCC hasn’t committed to following the same schedule for 2027.

The consultation does not guarantee that an H-1B category will be created. IRCC says new categories are published after they have been approved by the immigration minister, and consultation feedback may lead the department to go in a different direction.