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Comment by turar | Hacker News Reader

This is a repeat of the same story that happened the last time H-1B limit didn't meet the demand for visas. US tech companies, most notably Microsoft, opened "offices" in Vancouver. What happens next is that those employees will work for 1 year in Canada, and then will become eligible for L-1 intra-company transfer back to the US, side-stepping the H-1B quagmire.

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Sadly, probably quite true. It's truly unfortunate - it really doesn't help Canada hold on to tech talent.

Also, an L-1 visa gives your spouse an L-2 working visa unlike an H1B which doesn't allow your spouse to work (at least as I understand it)

Though as long as demand for H1 visas remains high, this cycle will continue with new recruits replacing those qualifying for L1. Inevitably some of these people may wish to remain in Canada, or form their own startups there. Seems to be a big plus for Canada regardless.

Problem with the L1 is that as I understand it, if you are on a L1 you can't apply for a green card or a H1B to stay more permanently in the US. So you are basically wedded to the company you have the visa with.

You can apply for a Green Card while you are on an L1 visa.

Sorry, I must have read something wrong somewhere, thought it wasn't dual intent.

L1 is almost identical to H1b except for two main things, L1 grants your spouse an L2 visa which make him\her eligible to work in US unlike H1b\H4 nightmare, while on H1b you have more freedom applying for other jobs (if the companies are willing to transfer your visa) without going through the lottery again, unlike L1 which you get stuck with the same employer unless another company is willing to go through the lottery hassle with you. in short, Pick your poison.

Which a cynic might argue, is something in the interest of the company sponsoring you for said L1.

Exactly this. And if they are classified as Executives and worked overseas for three years, they can basically immediately get green card upon arrival in the US.

As a Canadian, I sometimes wonder how much it really benefits the country.

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