H-1B vs. Canadian PR after the $100k fee: a candidate-first comparison

This is a practical guide. We compare visas, map the real trade-offs, and give you two playbooks—one if you’re already on H-1B/OPT in the U.S., another if you were aiming for H-1B but haven’t filed. Costs are summarized up front and detailed in the appendix.

Fast answer: If you need status stability in ≤12 months, start a Canadian PR/work-permit track in parallel now. If your U.S. employer will genuinely fund a cap-exempt/O-1/L-1 and start you fast, run the comp-vs-risk math—otherwise Canada usually wins on portability, spouse work rights, and long-run option value.

TL;DR

Jump to sections

• Policy shock: New USD 100,000 payment for new H-1B petitions filed on/after Sept 21, 2025 (White House). USCIS implementation targets new filings, not renewals—check the USCIS summary.
• Canadian PR fees: Solo Express Entry applicant pays CAD 1,525 + CAD 85 biometrics (IRCC). Proof of funds from CAD 15,263 for one person (Jul 2025, IRCC).
• Why this matters: The surcharge alone is roughly 80–90× a solo Canadian PR fee stack at typical USD/CAD FX (BoC). Employers may rethink sponsorship; candidates are re-running the math.
• Opportunity lens: Canadian PR is status first (portability, spouse can work, path to citizenship). H-1B is job first (employer-tied, lottery history, 60-day grace risk). Both can still lead to U.S. careers—just by different routes and timing.

H-1B surcharge vs. solo Canadian PR fee stack. The takeaway is the ratio (≈80–90× at typical USD/CAD), not the exact pennies. Sources: White House, IRCC, Bank of Canada.

Note: The H-1B payment policy may face legal challenges. Rules and timelines can shift; running a parallel Canada track preserves your option value.

Not legal advice. Always verify current rules with official sources (USCIS, IRCC) or counsel. Programs, cutoffs, and fees can change.

H-1B vs. Canadian PR/Work Pathways

Dimension H-1B (U.S.) Express Entry PR (Canada)

Entry gate	Employer files; historically cap/lottery for new petitions; 2025 policy adds USD 100k to new filings (see links above)	Points-based; candidate-driven profile; invites via draws; fees a fraction of H-1B surcharge
Status type	Temporary work visa; employer-tied; 60-day grace if job ends	Permanent residence; job-agnostic; freedom to change employers/locations
Family	Spouse typically needs H-4; work eligibility depends on rules and category; children age out at 21	Spouse and children included as PRs; spouse can work; no “age-out” at 21 for minor dependants already included
Career portability	Portability exists but paperwork-sensitive; unemployment risk during transitions	Full portability: switch roles, industries, provinces without status friction
Healthcare	Employer-provided in most cases; gaps possible between jobs	Provincial coverage after eligibility/wait (e.g., up to 3 months in BC); private interim recommended
Entrepreneurship	Restricted on primary H-1B; side ventures tricky	PRs can found companies, freelance, or mix employment + startup
Path to citizenship	Typically requires separate green card process with variable wait	Eligibility after physical-presence requirements as a PR (general rule of thumb: 3 years inside a 5-year window)
Option value toward U.S.	Direct presence in U.S. market now	PR → Citizenship → TN/USMCA or other routes later; growing cross-border remote roles

Big picture: H-1B is faster into certain U.S. teams if sponsored, but fragile (job-linked). PR flips it: stable first, job second. Which you value more—immediate U.S. role or long-run stability—drives the call.

Counsel’s note (anonymized): “Given fee volatility and litigation risk, we’re telling candidates to build a parallel Canada plan. The option value is worth the weekend admin.”

Who Should Pivot Now?

• Stability-seekers (families, risk-averse): PR’s portability, spouse work rights, and childcare subsidies (see childcare bands) often dominate.
• Builders (founders/freelancers): PR gives freedom to start and iterate without status anxiety.
• Early-career with strong language scores: High CRS potential makes PR invites realistic; you can still work U.S. later via cross-border routes.
• Top-of-market comp chasers: If a U.S. employer funds alternatives (cap-exempt H-1B, O-1, L-1) and compensation dwarfs Canadian offers, H-1B may still win—run net-of-risk math.

Two Playbooks

Playbook A — You’re Already on H-1B or OPT in the U.S.

1. Protect status first. Avoid gaps and unlawful presence; use transfers or cap-exempt roles if needed. (Universities/nonprofits can be cap-exempt.)
2. Run a parallel Canada track: start ECA, book IELTS/CELPIP, gather police certificates, and create an Express Entry profile. These steps cost time (and some money) but buy you option value.
3. Score-build: Max language bands (often the biggest CRS lever), document work history, consider spousal language/ECA for points.
4. Province strategy: Monitor province streams aligned with tech; some issue notifications of interest to EE profiles.
5. Bridge logistics: If you land a Canadian offer first, your employer may use an LMIA/LMIA-exempt work permit so you can start, then convert to PR. If PR comes first, you retain full portability.
6. Family care: Map spouse work rights and healthcare waits by province; line up childcare waitlists early.

Playbook B — You Were Considering H-1B but Haven’t Filed

1. Decide PR-first vs. job-first. PR-first maximizes stability and spouse work rights. Job-first (Canadian work permit) can get you earning sooner and may qualify you for the Canadian Experience Class later.
2. CRS maximization plan: Book language test dates, pick your ECA provider, and gather documents now; retake language if bands are borderline (see “IELTS Retake EV”).
3. Target hubs and sectors: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Waterloo; fields like AI, fintech, games, climate tech, enterprise SaaS.
4. Keep U.S. option value: PR → citizenship opens TN paths; meanwhile, U.S. companies increasingly hire in Canada (local payroll entities, EORs).

Concrete Province Levers (Tech-friendly)

• Ontario — OINP Human Capital Priorities (Tech): Express Entry–aligned; Ontario issues Notifications of Interest to competitive EE profiles with tech NOCs. Keep your EE profile current; max language and recent experience help.
• British Columbia — BC PNP Tech: Regular invitations for specific tech occupations; an employer offer can enable a work-permit-first route while PR is processing.
• Practical tip: Create your EE profile early and opt-in to provincial interest so you’re discoverable when targeted draws happen.

Opportunity, Not Just Cost

• Career leverage: With PR, you can shop offers without risking status, negotiate better, and exit bad fits quickly.
• Spouse dual-income potential: Often the quiet multiplier that offsets headline salary differences.
• Startup surface area: PR lets you found, freelance, and consult—useful in downturns or between roles.
• Long-run mobility: PR → citizenship → TN work in the U.S. later if/when it’s worth it.

Net-of-tax sanity check (very high-level): Compare monthly take-home after tax/benefits, add spouse income, subtract childcare “parent portion,” and overlay status risk + time to first paycheck. Exact take-home varies widely by province/state and benefits; use a calculator for your facts.

Risk & Timing

• Policy volatility: The H-1B surcharge could face legal challenges; CRS cutoffs and program mixes shift. Keep a Plan B.
• Processing time variability: Medicals, biometrics, and background checks are classic slow points—book early.
• Job market cycles: Time to first paycheck (2–4 weeks after start) + market softness = runway risk. Keep a cash buffer.

Time to First Paycheck — By Route

• Canada (PR-first): IELTS/ECA → EE profile → draw timing varies → PR → job. Paycheck typically hits 2–4 weeks after your start date.
• Canada (work-permit-first): Offer → LMIA/LMIA-exempt permit → start sooner → convert to PR. First pay 2–4 weeks after start.
• U.S. (H-1B/alternatives): If cap-exempt/O-1/L-1 sponsor is ready, start can be fast; new H-1B cap routes are higher friction. First pay 2–4 weeks after start.

Fast Decision Flow

1. Do you need status stability in the next 12 months? If yes → PR track now.
2. Do you have an H-1B sponsor ready to absorb costs or an alternative (O-1/L-1/cap-exempt)? If yes → weigh comp vs. risk; if no → Canada likely wins.
3. Will spouse/child benefits change your math? If yes → Canada often wins on quality of life and dual-income upside.

Childcare Snapshot (Parents Care About This)

Toronto (CWELCC): City-run centres capped at CAD 22/day from Jan 1, 2025 (City of Toronto). British Columbia: Fee reductions via CCFRI; some $10-a-Day sites (Province of BC). Parent pays the “parent portion.”

Timeline (If You Start Today)

• Weeks 0–2: Book IELTS/CELPIP; order ECA; request police certificates; sketch your Express Entry profile.
• Weeks 3–6: Sit language test; submit ECA docs; finalize EE profile; opt-in to provincial interest (OINP/BC PNP Tech).
• Weeks 7–12: Monitor draws/NOIs; interview for Canadian roles; line up documents for medicals/biometrics.
• Post-ITA or work-permit offer: Complete medicals/biometrics; plan landing cash and housing; first paycheck typically 2–4 weeks after you start.

What to Do This Week (Short Checklist)

• Book language test (IELTS/CELPIP). Seats go. If one band lags, plan a one-skill retake.
• Order ECA (WES/ICAS/CES etc.) and pull police certificates (FBI + any other jurisdictions).
• Draft your Express Entry profile; know your CRS and what would raise it.
• If you have kids: shortlist neighbourhoods by daycare availability; join waitlists now.
• If staying in the U.S. for now: keep your H-1B/OPT clean; avoid status gaps; ask counsel about cap-exempt or O-1 if eligible.

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Quick Numbers (Context, Not the Whole Story)

• H-1B new-petition surcharge: USD 100,000 (White House)
• Solo PR fees: CAD 1,525 + CAD 85 biometrics (IRCC)
• Proof of funds (PR-first): from CAD 15,263 (Jul 2025, IRCC)
• FX framing: surcharge ≈ 80–90× solo PR fee stack at typical USD/CAD (BoC)

Plain-English: Costs matter for runway, but the career option value of PR (portability, spouse income, citizenship path) is the real headline.

Answers to Common Questions

Does the USD 100,000 H-1B payment apply to renewals? The announcement targeted new petitions filed on/after Sept 21, 2025. See USCIS for details and updates: USCIS.

Is PR only for people with job offers? No. Many Express Entry candidates apply without a Canadian offer (but you need proof of funds unless exempt). A job offer can help points or enable a work-permit-first route.

Can PR help me work in the U.S. later? Indirectly. PR → citizenship → TN/USMCA eligibility for many professional roles; also, more U.S. companies hire in Canada.

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Appendix A — Landing & Monthly Budgets

Liquidity Stack

Landing spend (Month 0–1) + Proof-of-funds you must hold (PR-first) = accessible cash target. Example (solo Toronto): ~USD 6.2k landing wallet + CAD 15,263 POF ≈ CAD 23–25k accessible using late-Sept FX. Sources: IRCC, BoC.

Landing Wallet (Worked)

Toronto, solo, PR-first, Sept 2025. IELTS USD 300, ECA USD 210, FBI USD 18 + channeler USD 60, PR fees CAD 1,525 (~USD 1,140), biometrics CAD 85 (~USD 63), medical CAD 500 (~USD 380), last-month rent deposit CAD 2,350 (~USD 1,740), TTC pass CAD 156 (~USD 120), phone setup + month CAD 65 (~USD 48), winter gear USD 350 → total USD 5,900–6,400. Sources as linked throughout.

Component Amount

IELTS	USD 300
ECA	USD 210
FBI + channeler	USD 78
IRCC PR + biometrics	CAD 1,610
Medical exam	CAD 500
Rent deposit (ON)	CAD 2,350
TTC monthly pass	CAD 156
Phone setup + month	CAD 65
Winter gear	USD 350

Monthly Run-Rate (After Month One)

Category Toronto (CAD/mo) Vancouver (CAD/mo) Notes / Source

Rent, 1-bed (asking)	2,300–2,400	~2,529	TRREB, Rentals.ca (Jul 2025)
Transit (adult monthly)	156	111.60–201.55	TTC, TransLink 2025
Internet (50–150 Mbps)	~50–80	~50–80	Rogers/Bell/TELUS
Internet (300–1000 Mbps)	~70–120	~70–120	Promo/building dependent
Mobile (prepaid)	15–50	15–50	Activation often 0–60 (Rogers)
Renter’s insurance	15–35	15–35	Typical range
Utilities (1-bed)	~60–120	~50–100	Toronto Hydro, BC Hydro

Other Line Items (Selected)

Line item Typical 2025 amount Reference

IELTS test fee (U.S.)	USD 280–340	IELTS
FBI background check	USD 18 + channeler USD 40–100	FBI channelers
Immigration medical exam (Canada)	CAD 250–700	GTA panel clinic

Deposits: ON vs. BC

Ontario: last-month rent deposit; damage deposits generally banned. BC: security deposit max 0.5× monthly rent, plus optional 0.5× pet deposit. Sources: Ontario LTB, BC Tenancy.

FX Sensitivity

• H-1B vs. PR fees ratio: 100,000 × (USD/CAD) ÷ 1,610. At 1.35 → ~83.9×; ±5% swings shift the ratio to ~79.7×–88.1× (BoC).
• Landing wallet (USD 5.9–6.4k) in CAD: ~7.6–9.1k depending on FX.

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Appendix B — Proof of Funds (IRCC)

What counts: personal chequing/savings, GICs, money market; spouse’s account if you can prove access. Not borrowed, not secured against assets (IRCC).

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Appendix C — “First 90 Days” Logistics

Week 1. Get SIN, open bank account, pick mobile plan, line up viewings (prepaid SIMs CAD 15–50/mo; setup fees CAD 0–60). SIM how-to

Weeks 2–3. Apply for provincial health; license switch; daycare forms. Vancouver one-zone pass CAD 111.60 (Jul 2025); Toronto pass CAD 156. TTC, TransLink 2025. BC MSP wait up to three months: MSP wait period.

Weeks 4–12. Winter setup USD 250–600. If medicals pending, GTA exam packages CAD 190–240 (+ labs/X-ray) to CAD 450–700 all-in (example clinic).

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Important Sources

• White House announcement; USCIS fee change summary
• IRCC fees · IRCC proof of funds
• Bank of Canada FX
• TTC fares · TransLink fares
• TRREB rental reports

All figures reflect public sources as of September 2025 and vary by city/provider. Verify details before you act.