'We can hang on to one or two of them,' Canada PM says of techies hit by Trump's $100k H-1B fee

The recent US proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 has sparked international reactions, with Canadian leaders and industry experts highlighting the potential to attract skilled professionals left stranded by the policy change.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the US policy in a speech before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Carney stated Canada’s strong research and AI talent pool, adding, “Unfortunately, most of them go to the US” On the fee hike, he quipped, “I understand you're changing your visa policy. Maybe we can hang on to one or two of them.”

Garry Tan, CEO of San Francisco startup incubator Y Combinator, which helped launch companies like Airbnb and Stripe, said that cities such as Vancouver and Toronto could benefit instead of US cities, as per a Bloomberg report. In a post on X, he described Trump’s new H-1B policy as a “massive gift to every overseas tech hub,” creating a “toll booth” that makes it harder for smaller US firms to hire international talent. The post was later deleted.


Impact on global talent
The fee increase is expected to significantly limit opportunities for highly educated foreigners, particularly recent international graduates of US universities. While the White House has stated that current H-1B holders will not be affected, the uncertainty is driving many to explore alternative destinations, including Canada.

The US policy change is already reshaping discussions around global talent mobility, with Canada positioning itself as a potential hub for highly skilled professionals seeking new opportunities.