A sudden U.S. pause on select immigration files leaves applicants stranded — Canada’s Express Entry offers an alternative route for skilled workers
On December 2, 2025, the U.S. announced an indefinite suspension of processing for many immigration applications submitted by nationals of 19 countries designated “high risk.” The pause affects a broad range of immigration categories, including green-card (permanent residence) applications, and leaves applicants from the affected nations — including Haiti, Somalia and Venezuela — facing an uncertain timeline and potential long delays.
For skilled workers caught up in the disruption, Canada’s points-based Express Entry system presents a practical and open alternative. Express Entry remains available to eligible applicants regardless of nationality and continues to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through program-specific and category-based rounds, giving affected applicants concrete options to pursue permanent residence elsewhere.
What the U.S. pause means for applicants
The U.S. suspension halts adjudication of pending applications from nationals of the 19 named countries and prevents the filing of new applications under the affected programs for the time being. The immediate consequences include:
- Indeterminate processing delays for applicants who expected decisions soon.
- Potential employment and status uncertainty for applicants whose immigration approvals were linked to work or family plans.
- Administrative limbo for sponsoring employers and families who relied on expected start dates or reunification timelines.
Because the U.S. action is open-ended and framed as a national-security or public-risk measure, there is no firm re-start date announced. That uncertainty has prompted immigration professionals and applicants to look for alternative jurisdictions that continue to accept and process skilled-worker immigration cases.
Why Express Entry is a realistic alternative for skilled workers
Canada’s Express Entry system is expressly designed to attract skilled labour and to process economic-class permanent-residence applications efficiently. Key reasons affected applicants should consider Express Entry include:
- Open to all nationalities: Express Entry does not bar applicants on the basis of country of origin; eligibility hinges on work experience, education, language ability and other human-capital factors.
- Multiple program paths: Candidates may qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or Canadian Experience Class — the first two allow foreign work experience gained anywhere, and the Canadian Experience Class rewards Canadian work experience.
- Category-based draws: Canada increasingly runs targeted draws that invite workers in specific priority occupations (healthcare, STEM, trades, education, agriculture) or language-based draws (French proficiency), which often have lower CRS cut-offs and can favour candidates from overseas.
- Provincial routes and nominations: Provincial Nominee Programs provide another route to PR—many provinces recruit internationally for in-demand occupations and can nominate candidates, which grants a large boost to Express Entry ranking.
- Transparent, points-based selection: The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks candidates on measurable criteria (age, education, work experience, language), enabling applicants to assess and improve their profile before entering the pool.
In short, Express Entry is a predictable, well-documented pathway that remains operational even when other countries temporarily restrict intake.
How affected applicants can pivot toward Canada — practical steps
- Assess eligibility immediately: Calculate your CRS score using your age, education, language test results, and foreign work experience. Focus on whether you meet the minimum eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Secure language tests and credential assessments: Obtain up-to-date English or French language test scores and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees — both are common roadblocks when applicants delay.
- Consider occupation-based advantages: If you work in a priority field (healthcare, STEM, trades, education, agriculture), you may qualify for category-based draws that have historically used lower CRS thresholds.
- Explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Research provinces that target your occupation. A provincial nomination usually adds 600 CRS points and practically guarantees an ITA. Some provinces run employer-driven or overseas recruitment initiatives specifically to attract foreign talent.
- Prepare documentation for Express Entry: Reference letters, contracts, proof of work experience and education must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) duties and dates you declare. Begin collecting and certifying these documents now.
- Consult an immigration professional if needed: If your U.S. application is complex or you hold temporary status tied to U.S. employers, a regulated Canadian immigration advisor or lawyer can evaluate cross-border implications and help construct the strongest Canadian application.
Occupations and categories to watch (practical signals for applicants)
Canada has focused many of its invitations on defined occupational categories in 2025 — healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and agriculture/agri-food — and has also run French-language selection rounds. If your skills fall into these areas, you may benefit from targeted draws even without Canadian experience.
Likewise, countries whose nationals are affected by the U.S. pause may enjoy leverage if their professional profiles align with Canadian shortages; provinces actively recruit global talent for regions and sectors facing acute labour gaps.
Fictional but plausible case studies
- Secondary-school teacher (Libya): A 29-year-old teacher with two post-secondary credentials, excellent English and five years of foreign teaching experience could obtain a competitive CRS score and be targeted in education category draws.
- Cybersecurity PhD (Myanmar living temporarily in the U.S.): A PhD in computer science, strong English and French, and several years of specialist experience may score highly in STEM draws and could choose Express Entry without depending on U.S. processing timelines.
These examples illustrate how technical qualifications and language skills translate into competitive CRS profiles that bypass nationality-based pauses.
What to expect: timing and realistic prospects
Express Entry draws occur regularly but vary by draw type and CRS cut-off. Some category-based draws have substantially lower CRS requirements than general draws; PNP-linked nominations almost guarantee an ITA. While nothing is immediate by guarantee, applicants who prepare language tests, ECAs and accurate work documentation can enter the Express Entry pool within a few weeks to months and begin receiving invitations in subsequent rounds.
Caveats and considerations
- Not every applicant will be eligible: Express Entry has minimum thresholds and documentation requirements; not every applicant affected by the U.S. pause will meet them.
- Processing times and verification: Canadian processing includes document verification and possible interview or background checks; timelines depend on the completeness and verifiability of your application.
- Provincial ties often help: PNPs commonly require intent to reside in the province and sometimes job offers or community connections; moving provinces without a clear plan is not advised.
Bottom line
The U.S. processing pause for nationals of 19 countries creates immediate hardship and uncertainty for many applicants. For skilled workers caught by the disruption, Canada’s Express Entry and provincial nominee systems provide a viable, open alternative. With careful preparation — language tests, credential assessments, accurate job documentation and an informed strategy that considers category-based draws and provincial nominations — affected applicants can pivot toward a practical pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
