For years, the H-1B visa program has been the go-to path for U.S. companies looking to hire skilled international talent. But in 2025, that path has become harder to navigate. With new six-figure filing fees, higher wage requirements, and longer approval times, employers are finding it difficult to bring in the people they need. Projects are stalling, costs are climbing, and qualified candidates are left waiting overseas for approvals.
In such a situation, many forward-thinking U.S. companies are taking a different approach. They’re hiring in Canada and tapping into a highly-skilled talent pool right across the border. By partnering with Employer of Record (EOR) providers, these businesses are filling key roles in weeks instead of months, staying compliant, and keeping innovation moving forward.
The Visa Wait Is Costing Companies More Than Time
The H-1B process demands patience, but the delays in 2025 are unlike anything before. Between the new rules and increased scrutiny from immigration authorities, employers now face months of uncertainty before an employee can even start.
For startups and growing firms, those months are critical. Vacant roles increase workloads for existing teams and risk losing top candidates to competitors. In short, the H-1B system no longer serves the pace of modern business. And that’s why more U.S. employers are looking north for a more predictable way to hire skilled talent.
How U.S. Companies Can Skip Wait Times for H-1B Visas
Here’s how companies can quickly hire top talent without waiting too much:
1. Hiring Through Employer of Record (EOR) Partnerships
An Employer of Record (EOR) makes it possible for U.S. companies to legally employ Canadian professionals without establishing a local business entity. For example, HR Options acts as the legal employer on paper and manages payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance while the U.S. client company directs the day-to-day work.
This arrangement eliminates the need for visas entirely. Instead of navigating immigration bureaucracy, companies can hire globally and start projects immediately.
2. Onboarding Talent in Weeks, Not Months
The difference in timeline is striking. While an H-1B petition can take six to nine months (or longer if selected through a lottery), onboarding a Canadian hire through an EOR can be done within two to four weeks.
That speed matters. This means that product roadmaps stay on schedule, clients are served without interruption, and recruitment pipelines don’t dry up while waiting for government approval.
3. Retaining Key Employees Whose Visas Expired
One of the most creative ways companies are using EOR hiring is to retain employees who can’t renew their U.S. visas. Instead of losing valuable team members to international travel restrictions or visa caps, employers relocate them to Canada through an EOR framework. The employee keeps working remotely for the same team, under a compliant Canadian employment structure.
4. Expanding Into Canada Without Opening an Entity
Normally, expanding into another country means months of legal setup — incorporating a business, opening bank accounts, and registering for taxes. With an EOR, that entire process is bypassed.
U.S. companies can test Canadian hiring without any upfront investment or legal complexity. Once the team grows large enough to justify a permanent entity, HR Options can help transition the operation smoothly to a direct employer model. Until then, the EOR handles everything.
5. Avoiding the Cost and Risk of the H-1B Lottery
The proposed $100,000 H-1B petition cost has sparked major concern among U.S. companies that depend on international talent. Add in attorney fees, compliance documentation, and potential wage adjustments, and a single H-1B hire can exceed $150,000 before the employee even starts.
Hiring in Canada eliminates that risk entirely. Companies pay only standard recruitment and payroll costs, with no lottery, no waiting list, and no chance of rejection. It’s a clear, predictable path to building the workforce you need.
How Companies Are Making the Switch
Transitioning to a cross-border hiring model is easier than most expect. The process usually begins when an employer faces a blocked or delayed visa petition. Instead of waiting, they identify the role as one that can be filled remotely. An EOR then helps the employer either recruit a qualified Canadian professional or relocate an existing employee to Canada.
Once the employee is selected, EOR handles every step:
- Drafting employment agreements under Canadian law
- Setting up payroll and benefits
- Managing tax withholdings and reporting
- Ensuring full compliance with federal and provincial labor standards
From there, the U.S. company directs all daily work, while professionals manage the legal framework in the background. It’s seamless, fast, and fully compliant.
How to Hire in Canada Without a Local Entity
Here’s how you can hire across the border without having a local entity:
Get Help From a Professional EOR Service Provider
In practical terms, an Employer of Record is a turnkey hiring solution. It allows your company to add international talent to your team without the need to incorporate it into a new country.
HR Options becomes the “employer” for compliance purposes to manage onboarding, benefits, payroll, and statutory contributions. This approach gives you the freedom to grow across borders without slowing down or risking non-compliance.
What Advantages an EOR Can Provide
For growing organizations, the EOR model isn’t just about avoiding visas; it’s about strategic flexibility. You can hire top talent wherever they are, keep critical projects on track, and expand into new markets with zero upfront infrastructure.
Some of the biggest advantages include:
- Speed: Onboard talent in weeks instead of months.
- Compliance: Meet all Canadian labor and tax requirements automatically.
- Scalability: Hire one person or build a full team without legal setup.
- Cost Efficiency: Save tens of thousands in legal and immigration expenses.
Conclusion
The delays and costs surrounding the H-1B visa are pushing U.S. employers to rethink their global hiring strategies. Every month of waiting means lost productivity, higher costs, and missed opportunities. By contrast, hiring in Canada offers a proven, fast, and compliant alternative that keeps businesses moving forward.
Through HR Options’ Employer of Record solutions, companies can access skilled Canadian talent, maintain legal compliance, and avoid the risk of a broken visa system.
As global work becomes borderless, the smartest companies are already building teams across North America.
