How can a tech worker immigrate to Canada?

Canada has a booming tech sector. There is a high demand for skilled workers in the Canadian Information and Communications Technology [ICT] Sector. To fulfil this requirement, Canada offers different visa pathways for global tech talent. 

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the businesses and economy worldwide, companies in Canada have been continuing with their recruitment of global talent in the tech sector.

Due to the high requirement for ICT workers in Canada, different pathways – temporary as well as permanent – are available for supporting the sector. While there are general programs for skilled workers, certain programs are specifically dedicated to tech talent from overseas.

A tech worker contemplating immigrating to Canada, on a temporary basis or permanently, has the following options available to choose from –

Express Entry

The Canadian government’s Express Entry system manages the pool of immigration candidates for 3 major economic immigration programs – the Federal Skilled Worker Program [FSWP], Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP], and the Canadian Experience Class [CEC].

While the FSTP is for those skilled in a trade and looking to settle down in Canada, the CEC is for those that have previous Canadian experience.

A tech worker – that has not lived in Canada before – can take the FSWP route to Canada. Around 50% of immigration candidates invited through the Express Entry are through the FSWP.

Do keep in mind that for a profile to be successfully entered among the pool of candidates in the federal Express Entry system, the candidate will be required to score 67 on the Canada Skilled Immigration Points Calculator wherein factors such as age, education, work experience etc. are allotted points.

For a detailed explanation as to how the Canada eligibility points are calculated, see Check your eligibility for Canada PR through FSWP.

Another score – the Comprehensive Ranking System [CRS] – comes into play once a profile is in the Express Entry pool. Allotted out of a total of 1,200 points, the higher the CRS, the sooner the profile will be issued an Invitation to Apply [ITA] in the subsequent federal Express Entry draws that are held.

A high-ranking profile with a good CRS score can be issued an invitation within days of entering the Express Entry pool. As per the official website of the Government of Canada, “We’ll process most complete applications that have all the supporting documents in 6 months or less.”

Express Entry is an immensely popular option for global tech talent interested in Canada immigration. Tech workers are the primary occupation group of immigrants moving to Canada through Express Entry.

Provincial Nominee Program [PNP]

Provinces and territories part of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program [PNP] can ‘nominate’ candidates as per their local market requirements. Once an immigration candidate has successfully secured a nomination under the PNP, they can then apply to the federal government of Canada for processing their Canada permanent residence [PR] application.

There are nearly 8o Canada immigration streams available under the PNP of Canada.

With tech being a significant area with high demand for skilled workers, certain provinces offer specifically designed Tech Pilots.

British Columbia’s Tech Pilot is one such Canada immigration pathway, offering expedited processing to tech workers in 29 occupations that are in demand in the province.

Ontario Tech Pilot, on the other hand, is targeted at foreign workers that have experience in any of 6 tech occupations. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s [OINP’s] Regional Immigration Pilot is now accepting applications.

Global Talent Stream

A temporary visa option, the Global Talent Stream offers a temporary resident pathway for tech workers that either –

• Want a quick route to Canada before submitting their Canada PR application, or
• Do not want to settle in Canada permanently.

Working in Canada for some duration can greatly increase the chances of a Canadian immigration candidate securing Canada PR. With Canadian work experience, a candidate becomes eligible for the Canadian Experience Class [CEC].

The Global Talent Stream, part of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, enables employers in Canada to hire tech talent from overseas and bring them to the country within 4 weeks.

Since 2017, the Global Talent Stream has facilitated the arrival of more than 40,000 tech workers to Canada.

Start-up Visa

Aimed at attracting innovative entrepreneurs interested in operating a business in Canada, the Canadian Start-up Visa offers an attractive option for global tech talent. The Start-up Visa for Canada has different selection criteria from that applicable to the skilled worker programs of Canada.

Prior endorsement by a designated authority – business incubator, angel investor, or venture capital firm – is required. Such entities will be held responsible for providing support to ensure the entrepreneurs’ success when they come to Canada.

Despite the current global situation, Canada is still allowing temporary visa holders to enter Canada for work overseas.

Canada immigration candidates are also being issued invitations. Canada plans to welcome them into the country once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Recently, all-program draws have been resumed by the Canadian government. More the reason to submit your profile to the Express Entry system without delay.

If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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