News. For Newcomers | September 22, 2025

The U.S. just made hiring foreign workers $100,000 harder, but is Canada in a position to offer an alternative?

On September 19, 2025, the U.S. government introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions filed for workers outside the United States. The move, aimed at curbing perceived abuse and protecting domestic wages, is already causing uncertainty for companies relying on international talent.

So, where does this leave Canada?

With the U.S. making it harder (and more expensive) to bring in skilled workers, Canada could be in a prime position to attract top global talent. But there’s a catch — Canada’s own Temporary Foreign Worker Program is facing scrutiny, with debates over worker protections, wages, and the future of certain streams adding complexity to the picture.

Read our full article to explore:

We’re sneaking in some tax content for permanent residents. A BC-based billionaire is in the news for claiming to be a non-resident of Canada, despite having significant financial ties to the country and maintaining permanent resident status. Vancouver Sun digs into some of the intricacies of tax for permanent residents.

Employment Insurance (EI) claims are on the rise in Canada, increasing 13% so far in 2025. This makes sense, with increasing unemployment rates.

As a newcomer to Canada, you might be eligible for EI if you lose your job, but only if you meet some pretty specific criteria (which can be harder for newcomers). Learn everything you need to know about Employment Insurance for newcomers here.

Here’s a general prompt you can use to have ChatGPT help you prepare for a job interview (don’t forget to actually attach the documents/information too!):

I have an interview for a [job title] role at a [company type/size, e.g., multinational bank, small nonprofit].

The interview will be [type: behavioural/technical/panel/etc.].

My background includes [key experience/skills]. I feel confident in [strength area], but I want to improve at [concern area].

I have attached a copy of the job description and the company statement and the resume and cover letter I sent for the position. Please use this information to ask very tailored questions for the role, as well as broader cultural fit questions you think are likely.

Please ask me practice questions that reflect this role and give me structured feedback on my answers.

Also provide a detailed list of at least 10 questions I could ask in the interview that would demonstrate my interest in the specific role and that are uniquely tailored to the company I’ve applied to. Prioritize unique, thoughtful questions over generic, broad questions.

Canada has 48 national parks, 11 national reserves, and a host of provincial and municipal parks too. If you’re saving up for a big goal or don’t want to travel far but you’d love a vacation, why not head to one of the numerous stunning parks close to you for a weekend getaway?

Canada is world famous for its beautiful scenery after all.