Canada’s Immigrant Pathways for Tech Talents
As the most economically stable nation in the OECD, Canada has the greatest immigration rate. Approximately 75% of the world’s population immigrates to Canada each year. While Canada was regarded as the most dynamic and efficient labor market in 2015, its technology industry has risen dramatically over the past several years.
While the majority of the country struggles to survive the coronavirus pandemic, the industry remains robust, with Canadian firms actively hiring people.
It is an indication of a robust economy that provides immigrants with affluence and mobility.
Google and Amazon’s expansion in Canada has powered a significant portion of Canada’s economy, resulting in over 250,000 tech jobs in Toronto alone.
Recognizing the significance of the technology industry to the economy, the federal and provincial governments offer permanent residence and work visa alternatives to firms seeking IT expertise.
Occasionally, there is an urgent demand for IT professionals from all over the world.
Thus, Canada provides specific immigration channels for immigrants with technological expertise.
To work for a technology company in Canada, anyone specializing in technology can immigrate either permanently or with a temporary work permit using the following typical routes:
Pathways to Permanent Residency in Canada: With the future in mind, IT gurus feel more comfortable settling down permanently.
The following are methods for obtaining permanent residency:
Direct Entry
The Express Enterprise Application or a Provincial Nominee Program is the most popular method of entry for trained technicians (PNP). Express Entry is the largest entry lane for skilled immigrants in Canada.
It is mainly developed for skilled personnel. The most common Express Entry option is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for persons with at least one year of work experience, falling under a national occupational code of 0, A, or B.
Alternatively, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program may qualify applicants for Express Entry if they have one year of work experience in Canada within the last three years. In essence, Entry Express ensures access to the immigration system for individuals in the technology field with the highest probability of attaining economic success.
Flexibility is the primary benefit of Express Entry, and swiftness is how nature operates. In only a few days after completing your profile, you can apply for permanent residency.
- The federal government aims to process permanent residency applications for the highest-scoring candidates within six months of receipt.
Note, however, that if you have never resided in Canada, you must apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Possess a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree in addition to advanced French or English language competence (level 7) and at least one year of full-time skilled job experience (or the equivalent) The Federal Skilled Worker Program necessitates a residence outside of Quebec. Maximum processing time for eighty percent of completed applications is six months.
The FSWP age range is 18 to 35 years old. If you’re older than 35, you’ll receive fewer points. This program requires a minimum of 67 out of 100 possible CRS scores. After being put on hold for about 19 months because of the Corona Pandemic, FSWP was re-launched on July 6, 2022.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the second-best choice for immigrants with technical skills who have never resided in Canada. Eleven out of Canada’s thirteen provinces are participating in the initiative. The province nominates the individual, and the federal government of Canada completes the permanent residency application.
- The Provincial Nominee program has no specified upper age restriction. According to study, those between the ages of 25 and 35 obtain the highest grades on average. However, this does not imply that individuals older than 35 are never selected.
Express Entry and PNP are fundamentally distinct in that persons awarded permanent residency through Express Entry are free to live and work anywhere in Canada. In contrast, if someone obtains PNP permanent residency, he will be permitted to relocate after a specified period of time in the same province. The benefit of the PNP is that if a candidate’s application meets the selection committee’s requirements, there is a significant likelihood that they will be awarded permanent status in Canada.
In addition, the PNP has lengthy waiting periods and high processing fees. Only permanent resident visas require a waiting period of six to nineteen months, depending on the category.
Ontario’s Technical Pilot
If there is no job opening in the technology field, it is like a golden deer. However, it will not be allowed to apply without an invitation from Ontario. Initially, a profile must be made in express entry in order to invite tech professionals. Approximately 800 applicants were invited for nomination.
For Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 2173), Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (NOC 2174), Computer Engineers (NOC 2147), Web Designers and Developers (NOC 2175), Database Analysts and Data Administrators (NOC 2172), and Computer and Information Systems Manager (NOC 0213), experience in one of the six technical occupations listed can lead to improved employment opportunities.
British Columbia Tech Pilot Immigration aspirants with a job offer in one of 29 tech occupations may submit an application for a provincial nomination through BC’s Tech Pilot program every week.
More than 1,500 provincial candidates have been nominated for the 2020 election, which has undergone 14 technical draws, including one this month.
Start-Up Visa
Similarly, the Canadian government oversees the Start-up Visa program. It exists to attract creative entrepreneurs who seek to create a business in Canada. It is an attractive choice for IT expertise and has quite different selection criteria than skilled worker programs.
Notably, the Canadian government must choose an organization to endorse winning candidates (an angel investor, venture capital firm, or business incubator). These organizations are responsible for ensuring the success of entrepreneurs when they arrive in Canada.
Global Flow of Talent
Global Talent Stream Canada provides a range of temporary resident options for computer workers who do not intend to remain in Canada permanently or who wish to enter the nation more swiftly prior to completing an application for permanent residence.
Due to the fact that numerous immigration programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), are meant to simplify this process, temporary employment in Canada may increase your chances of obtaining permanent status.
Global Talent Stream is a significant alternative for temporary visas. It enables Canadian enterprises to search and employ computer professionals who can relocate to Canada within four weeks. The Global Talent Stream is one component of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, which has permitted the immigration of approximately 40,000 IT workers since 2017.
Saskatchewan Tech Talent Future:
Thanks to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, Canadian immigrants now have access to a new tech track (SINP). To be considered for the Tech Talent Pathway in Saskatchewan, candidates must possess an employer-specific SINP Job Approval Letter for an acceptable technology sector position. In the last five years, they must have had at least one year of working experience in that profession, or six months of work experience in the province.
In addition, they must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 if they are employed in Saskatchewan. To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must have a CLB level of 7.
Candidates must have postsecondary education and, if applicable, be eligible for a Saskatchewan professional license.
The first step towards moving to Canada is to get an assessment of your specific situation. Call us today at +1 613.222.7154 for an assessment to see if you are eligible to move to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.
