Guidelines on Canadian Immigration for IT Workers
The technology industry has always been prominent in Canada and, in recent years, has increased rapidly.
This is due to the country’s beneficial immigration policies, which have created success in the technology industry and IT companies finding Canada a favorable tech hub.
In this article, we’ll be discussing everything all types of foreign IT workers will need to know before they decide to immigrate to Canada, along with some valuable tips to get your immigration journey. So make sure to read until the end!
Table of Contents
🛫 Popular Canada Immigration Pathways for Tech Workers
Express Entry
If you’re a skilled tech worker and would like to choose the fastest way into Canadian permanent residency, this immigration program would be your best option.
You may choose to apply for Express Entry streams such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
At least 67 points are needed to meet the requirements for the FSWP stream.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Another excellent option for permanent residency is The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
If you’re a skilled tech worker who wishes to offer their skills and work experiences to help boost the economy of a particular province they have in mind, then this program should fit right up your alley.
For this program, you will need to meet their labour market needs to nominate you for permanent residency.
Take note that the two provinces that accept the most tech skilled workers are Ontario and British Columbia.
They both have a Tech Pilot stream that’s been recently launched last year for you to apply to.
Start-up Visa
For tech professionals who wish to start a tech business in Canada, your best bet would be to apply through the Start-Up Visa Program.
Canada is actively looking for innovative entrepreneurs who wish to operate or start a business in Canada.
Eligible candidates will need to receive a letter of acceptance from a Canadian tech investor after submitting their business plan and application in order to receive a PR invitation.
If you decide to apply through the start-up visa program, you must have:
- A legitimate and qualified business
- A letter of support from your chosen organization (ex. Venture capital groups, angel investors, or business incubators)
- Pass the language requirement test (in English or French)
- Proof of funds to settle and live in Canada before you establish income from your own business.
As a tip, here are the best cities to launch a tech startup based on itbusiness.ca:
- Kitchener-Waterloo
- Cambridge
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Vancouver
- Gatineau
- Mississauga
- Hamilton
- Halifax
- Guelph
Temporary Work Visa: Global Talent Stream
If you’re a tech worker with plans to only work in Canada, the Global Talent Stream would be a great option for you.
This stream allows Canadian employers to hire skillful tech workers to work in Canada temporarily.
Self-Employed Program
If you decide to choose the Canadian self-employed route you must have:
- Experience in cultural activities or athletics, with plans to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life in Canada.
- Other factors you’ll need to consider is your educational background, age, adaptability, and the ability to speak and write in English or French.
student Programs
Canada is known as one of the leading countries in technological discoveries. It is absolutely possible to further your education in IT while working in Canada!
Some of the advantages of graduating with an IT course or diploma provides higher chances of being hired by a Canadian IT company at a faster rate, landing a high-paid IT position, and additional employee benefits!
If you wish study in Canada, here are some of the top universities in the country for future tech talent according to culture trip:
1. University of British Columbia
2. University of Ontario Institute of Technology
3. Dalhousie University
4. Simon Fraser University
5. Western University
6. Ryerson University
7. University of Toronto
8. University of Waterloo Stratford Campus
9. British Columbia Institute of Technology
📝Canada Work Permit Application Steps and Requirements
Whether you decide to apply for a work permit during a short visit in Canada or from your home country, you will need to learn the proper steps on how to successfully attain one in order to work in Canada:
Applying for a work permit is done in a two-step process.
Do take note that most candidates will need a Canadian job offer before they can apply for a work permit.
Step 1:
Apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) along with proof that your employer is taking domestic recruitment efforts due to the lack of Canadian permanent residents or citizens qualified for this specific position.
Step 2:
Once the positive LMIA has been issued, the candidate can then apply for a Canadian work permit.
You Must:
- Prove to an immigration officer that you have definite plans of leaving Canada once your work permit expires.
- Provide your proof of funds, enough to take care of yourself and your dependents during your stay in Canada and return to your home country.
- Obey all laws in Canada and provide a police clearance certificate
- Provide a medical exam
- Prove that you will not be working for an employer who is categorized as “ineligible” (ex. Working for an employer who on a regular basis, offers erotic dances, escort services, erotic massages etc.)
☑️ Where to Get a Canadian Work Permit as a Tech Professional
As for IT professionals who just generally wish to work in Canada and have no plans of opening a tech start-up, we’ve provided two main ways you can apply for work in Canada’s tech industry.
IT Professionals can come to Canada in two main ways:
Option 1: Apply Directly for Permanent Residency
As an IT professional, you are considered as a skilled worker. Skilled workers can apply directly for PR mainly through Express Entry.
Express Entry provides several streams to choose from such as:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canada Experience Class
Before coming to Canada through any of these programs, you will need to register a profile in the Express Entry pool.
Option 2: Apply as a Temporary Resident on a Work Permit
Another way could be to enter Canada as a temporary resident on a work permit, then transitioning to become a permanent resident. In recent years, this has become a popular option for IT professionals.
You may first apply through the Global Talent Stream. This stream specifically targets technology occupations. Once tech candidates enter Canada for work, they can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
📍 The Best Place to Work in Canada for IT Workers
Not quite sure which city you should immigrate to? No problem, we’re here to help!
Here are the top 3 cities to consider when it comes to finding worthy jobs for IT candidates:
- The best city among Canadian cities based on the quality of labor, tech industry concentration 8.3%, and a 54% increase in the technology workforce.
- Best weather in Canada
- Salaries are among the highest in Canada
- Known as the “Silicon Valley” of Canada.
- Toronto houses notable tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon Etsy, Shopify, LG.
- Considered as one of the best cities in Ontario to work in
- The CBRE ranks this city in 4th place in a list of tech cities, with 20,400 tech workers and a 40% growth rate in the technology sector in just the last 5 years.
- Expert Market reports it as 8th with a 2nd best in rent and 6th in average salary within the entire country.
- Ranked 5th in Canada with the 2nd most tech workers at over 130,000
- Montreal has a charming French culture that seems to attract many French tech candidates.
- The city is ranked 3rd place in rent and wage growth by Expert Market.
- The city has an amazing nightlife that’s hard to beat.
- Tech talents seem to perform better than those in Vancouver.
- The city is home to Ubisoft, a primary gaming industry leader within the country.
👩🔧 Employee Benefits in Canada
Not only do you get employee benefits working for any industry in Canada if you decide to work for a Canadian employer, tech companies offer some of the best benefits among all the industries!
Some benefits (but not limited to) are:
- Sabbatical leave
- Career development
- Flexible and a modern workplace
- Some companies also have a flexible or unlimited paid vacation policy, which further supports work-life balance
- Wellness support such as gym membership, prenatal classes or other health care programs
- Entertainment such as mix-and-mingle events or lunch events
- Childcare benefits
- Life coaching and Mental Health counseling
And the benefits don’t stop there!
A career as an IT professional in Canada holds endless possibilities. It’s not a surprise that most immigrants are currently choosing Canada over its neighboring countries.
By choosing to work in Canada’s IT Industry, you’re giving yourself the chance to excel in your career and provide a brighter future for you and your family!
❓ Commonly Asked Questions About Tech Industry in Canada
The most in-demand IT jobs in Canada as of 2021 are:
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Cloud Architects
- Cloud Systems Engineers
- IT Project Manager
- Data Scientists
- Developers (web, software, mobile)
- DevOps Engineers
- Full-Stack Developers
- IoT Specialists
- Security Professionals
Overall, any city in Canada is a great option for foreign tech workers to find jobs at, but the best cities to work in tech are:
1. Toronto
2. Ottawa
3. Vancouver
4. Waterloo region
5. Montreal
According to glassdoor The average salary for an IT Professional is $77,198 in Canada.
Generally speaking, it really depends on your skills and the number of years you’ve been working in a certain industry.
Anyone can get a job offer in Canada, but finding the best Canadian employer for you may be the most difficult part.
Luckily, CanadaCIS offers services that can fully support you towards your Canadian job search and application.
Our team of employment experts can guide you through your job interviews and transform your current CV to Canadian standards, for higher chances of getting hired.
The highest paid jobs in Canada in 2021 are:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Dentist
- Utilities Manager
- Power Systems
- Electrician
- Mining and Quarrying Supervisor
- Pipefitting Supervisor
- Engineering Manager
- Scientific Research Manager
- Public Administration Director
- Construction Manager
