The Breithaupt Block Phase III | 11 fl | U/C

[robdrimmie]

From what I've seen, Google staffs KW heavily with people that can't get US visas. I work for a SF-based company, and we've lost some people who have expiring visas to Google. They end up getting offered KW (or sometimes Montreal).

Google definitely recruits locally, but I'd bet 30-50% will be filled by people new to Canada.

That's really interesting.  Are work visas that much harder to get in the US?

Yes. Most non-resident Americans who work in tech come in on H1-B visas which have been difficult to get since the late 90s. The current political landscape makes it even more difficult for workers to enter the States, and it makes it harder for tech companies to recruit folks who dislike the current government.

It's a big selling point for Vancouver especially, since they're a short flight from Silicon Valley and in the same time zone.