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United States Suspends New Work Visas Through 2020

Blog posted on by Evelyn Ackah in Cross-Border Business and U.S. Immigration and U.S. Immigration

United States Suspends New Work Visas Through 2020
Evelyn Ackah on June 24
Evelyn Ackah on June 24


On June 22, United States President Trump signed an executive order to suspend new work visas through the end of the year. The new visa restrictions go into effect on June 24 and follow up on the 60-day green card suspension Trump ordered in April that expires June 23. Trump announced the new work visa restrictions will "free up jobs for Americans" and are a response to the COVID pandemic and soaring American unemployment, as well as Trump's campaign promise to limit legal immigration.

What Does the U.S. Suspension of Work Visas Mean to Canada?

WATCH: The new work visa suspension may not apply to TN Visas or Canadians making their initial L-1 applications at the border.

Canada immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah said that many American and Canadian businesses will be hit hard by the new restrictions that suspend:

  • L-1 visas for intracompany transfers and foreign corporate executives
  • H-1B visas for workers in specialty occupations including highly skilled tech workers
  • H-4 visa for spouses
  • H-2B visas for temporary non-agricultural workers, construction and hospitality industries
  • J-1 visas for exchange visitors, scholars and professors

An immigration lawyer for over 20 years practicing Canada and U.S. NAFTA immigration law, Evelyn Ackah said,

While suspending new American work visas will be devasting to the recovery of many Canadian and American businesses who rely on international talent, this is a good opportunity to help build Canada's economy. Canada needs hundreds of thousands of skilled and educated foreign workers to help grow our economy.

Canada is a good option for Americans to open a business because we share a common language, similar work and home cultures, education goals and are in the same time zones with shared borders. Many American workers welcome the opportunity to move to Canada's progressive society with free and accessible education and health care.

Learn More:

If you have questions about cross-border business, your immigration application, your eligibility for your or your team to cross the U.S. / Canada border on business, or other immigration issues during the coronavirus restrictions or for post-restriction business, contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email contact@ackahlaw.com.


Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Founder/Managing Lawyer

Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

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