The Trump administration’s stricter H-1B visa requirements are creating opportunities for technology companies outside the US, as international tech hubs position themselves to attract top-tier engineering talent previously bound for Silicon Valley, a report has said, citing senior employees of various UK and Canada-based tech startups.Last month, the White House unveiled significant changes to the H-1B visa program, which has long been the pathway for American tech companies to recruit talented foreign workers. The new measures include a proposed $100,000 application fee and more demanding salary thresholds for prospective workers.
What founders and political leaders have to say
According to a report by The Financial Times, for founders like Husayn Kassai of London-based Quench.ai, an AI workplace solutions provider, the changes represent a watershed moment. “We were getting second league picks. These changes open a window to the top tier of talent,” Kassai explained.Not only the founders, political leaders across nations have been quick to recognise the competitive advantage. For example, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to streamline Britain’s immigration system, including reduced visa fees, specifically to attract highly skilled workers. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney characterised the H-1B fee increase as an “opportunity to attract people” who might have otherwise pursued careers in American tech centers like California or New York.
Some industry leaders are already seeing changes
However, some industry leaders are reportedly already observing tangible shifts. Arsham Ghahramani, co-founder of Toronto-based recruiting startup Ribbon, noted that roughly 40 percent of his team consists of workers who faced US visa complications. “Traditionally Canada was seen as a stopping point en route to the US. More people getting stuck here is great for us,” Ghahramani was quoted as saying.The impact extends beyond individual hiring decisions. Mikhail Sharonov, who leads Immigram, a UK-based relocation service specializing in tech workers, reported unprecedented demand: “Our call centre is currently overwhelmed” following the H-1B announcement.
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