6 Ways IT Professionals Can Obtain Canada PR
Major organizations are there in Canada where IT departments are quite massive! That is why a large number of IT professionals are hired by these organizations. There is a high demand for professionals with skills and experience but supply is very less, for which immigration of skilled foreign nationals is important.
An estimated 2, 50,000 IT jobs are required to be filled by 2025. Many companies are looking for IT workers to fill in vacancies in the IT department. Numerous programs are created by Federal and Provincial Governments in Canada to assist skilled IT workers in immigration to Canada. There are 6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR.
High-demand IT jobs in Canada
If you are an IT professional looking forward to working in Canada, chances are higher to get a job in the below-mentioned occupations:
• Product Manager
• Software Engineer
• User Experience Designer
• Developer
• Tech Sales
• Graphic Designer
6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR are:
1. Alberta Accelerated Pilot Program
It is one of the Canadian PNP programs for IT professionals which stands out because it works with the Federal Express Entry System to assist IT professionals in getting permanent residence.
The program caters to the diverse needs of IT professionals in the below-mentioned occupations:
• Legislators
• School administrators of elementary and secondary education
• Judges
• Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
• Escort agency managers
• Authors and writers
• Musicians and singers
Requirements of Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
Skilled IT workers interested in applying to the Canada PNP program for IT professionals have to first check if they qualify for at least one of the Federal Express Entry programs.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
• 2 years of work experience in a job that fits IRCC’s definition of “Skilled Trades”
• Score of minimum CLB 5 in language test categories for speaking and listening.
• Skilled Trade Certificate in Canada needed to work in the assigned occupation
Federal Skilled Workers Program
• 1 year of work experience in a TEER 0,1,2 or 3 occupations
• High school diploma
• Test score of at least CLB 7 for language proficiency
Canadian Experience Class
• If your work experience falls under NOC TEER 0 or 1, a language proficiency score of CLB 7 is required.
• If your work experience falls under NOC TEER 2 or 3, a language proficiency score of CLB 5 is required.
• 1 year of work experience in a NOC TEER 0,1,2 or 3 jobs
Application Process
First, ensure that you are eligible for at least one of the Federal Express Entry programs, then create a profile for Express Entry. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and if approved, you will receive a provincial nomination as well as a support letter for a work permit. Candidates can apply through the Express Entry system and a work permit for receiving PR status. It is one of the 6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR.
2. BC PNP Tech
This program provides an uncomplicated program route for individuals interested in tech-related occupations in British Columbia. It is one of the 6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR.
This contains:
• Computer and Information systems managers
• Telecommunication carriers managers
• Mathematicians and statisticians
• Data Scientists
• Physicists and astronomers
• Cyber security specialists
• Information systems specialists
• Business systems specialists
• Computers systems developers and programmers
• Database analysts and data programmers
Candidates nominated under the BC PNP Tech program do not need a Canadian employer to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work permit. They can continue to work in British Columbia while their application is processed for PR is processed.
• Job offer ( A full-time job offer that falls under NOC TEER codes for mentioned occupations)
• Work Experience (minimum 2 years of experience in Skilled Worker and International Graduates Category)
• Language Proficiency
• Educational requirements (People in the International Graduate Category should have completed a college or university program that lasts a minimum of 1 year inside Canada)
Application Process
• Determine if you can meet the minimum eligibility requirements
• Create an online profile on the BC PNP Immigration portal
• If you have received an ITA (Invitation To Apply), you need to pay a fee to complete the application
• You will receive the provincial nomination and a support letter for a work permit after approval
• You can apply for PR status as well as work permit
• You can arrive in the country and work for your Canadian employer after receiving a work permit in Canada, while waiting for a decision on your permanent residence application.
3. Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
It is another one of the 6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR, a provincial program for skilled IT professionals who are looking to obtain Canada PR for Indian IT professionals. This stream works with the Express Entry system, so the program requirements seem similar to those of Alberta Accelerated Pathway.
This stream caters to IT professionals in the professions listed below:
• Computer and Information systems managers
• Computer systems developers and programmers
• Database analysts and administrators
• Computer Engineers
• Software engineers and designers
• Software developers and programmers
• Web designers
• Web development programmers
• Data Scientists
Application Process
It is quite similar to Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway with the only difference being that you cannot apply with the Canadian province directly. Instead, you ought to wait for a Notification of Interest from Ontario after the completion of your Express Entry profile.
4. Start-Up Visa
Any foreign entrepreneur can apply for a startup visa who wishes to create a start-up in Canada. For entrepreneurs who are looking to turn their dream of a lucrative startup into reality, this is the most suited immigration route. Entrepreneurs must have also managed to secure funds from an investment organization in Canada. It is indeed one of the 6 ways IT professionals can obtain Canada PR.
The requirements of a Start-Up Visa
IT professionals who propose to apply for the Start-Up Visa program are required to have a qualifying business, have a valid Letter of Support from an investment organization in Canada, have required funds to support themselves and their family, and score a minimum of CLB 5 in the language proficiency exam.
Application Process
• A Letter of Support from a designated Canadian investment organization is needed
• Application is to be completed and submitted
• Required Start-Up visa application fees is to be paid
• Medical examination results as well as the result of biometrics are to be submitted
• After approval of the application, PR is to be received by the candidate
5. Global Talent Stream
There are no fixed requirements for Global Talent Stream but you must ensure that you qualify for at least one of the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs and you also should have minimum a year of work experience in the in-demand occupations already mentioned in previous streams.
Application Process
• Secure a job offer in one of the mentioned occupations
• Ask your employer to submit your application for the Global Talent Stream
• You can apply for the work permit and come to the country if the Canadian employer receives a valid and positive LMIA
• After gaining enough work experience, you can apply for Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program for permanent residency
6. Intra-Company Transfer
It is also one of the great and unique platforms for Indian IT professionals to get PR. It enables workers to work at multinational companies and transfer from their current branch in their home country to the Canadian branch of the company. Successful candidates will receive a one-year work permit to come and work in the country. This work experience can be used to apply for immigration through one of the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee programs.
Intra-Company Transfer requirements
• You should be working in a multinational company.
• The job has to be in senior management or executive position.
• The company has to have a branch in Canada
Application Process
• Check if you qualify for the requirements listed above
• Submit a work application
• You can come to the country and work with your employer after approval of the work permit application
• You can apply for PR through a Federal Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program after obtaining one or two years of work experience.