Canada Issues More Work Visas Than USA

09 Aug 2010

As per Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, Canada issues greater number of Canada work visas as compared to the visas set aside by the US.

Speaking at the Meet the Press programme of NBC on 1 August, Bloomberg said that US must allow increased number of foreigners possessing requisite skills to come to the US and work here. He added that the US must learn from its neighbor Canada which is allowing far more Canada work visas for talented migrants belonging to different countries.

Nearly 36 percent of Canada work visas are set aside for people having qualifications and skills in high demand in Canada, Bloomberg maintained. Meanwhile, US just have a quota of six percent for migrants to work in the US.

US educate the doctors but do not give them a US green card. There is a need for the US to give visas to more immigrants for the skills needed by the country.

Pointing towards existing differences between the immigration policies of the two nations, namely Canada and the US, Bloomberg said that the US allows family members of immigrants and US citizens having US work permits or US Green Cards so that immigrants whose family members are living in the US can successfully integrate in to the life and style of the US.

While one-third of immigrants enter the US through employment and humanitarian protection basis, about two-thirds of immigrants come to the US under family reunification, maintains Bloomberg.

Canada, on the other hand, no doubt, allows immigration through humanitarian and family reunification basis, but, it gives top priority to points system while allowing immigrants into the nation.

Canada immigration invites and allows those immigrants whose contribution will of greatest value to its economy. The factors taken into consideration for Canada immigration include languages spoken, educational qualification, any relatives living in Canada and the occupation. 

Hence, only those applicants who score sufficient points are allowed for getting a Canada work visa.

Bloomberg wants more US work visas to be issued to allow foreign skilled workers to come and work in the US.