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Immigration Options for Tech Talent
Canada boasts of having 100+ economic-class immigration pathways that are available to eligible skilled workers, business entrepreneurs, and international students. Here we are about exclusive immigration pathways available for skilled workers with a Tech background that includes Computer Engineers, Software Developers, IT Experts, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil Engineers, Database Analysts, Graphics Designers, Audio & Video Recording Technicians, etc.
Express Entry
Express Entry has been the go-to option for every foeign skilled worker who is looking to obtain a permanent residence with/without a job offer in Canada.
Express Entry is not a visa option but a federally managed application database for three immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) & the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In addition to it, there are several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that have dedicated immigration streams to choose eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool.
To begin with, Candidates register their profile for free on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC evaluates and scores the profiles based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is based on their human capital criteria. These will include the candidate’s age, education, language skills in English or French, and work experience.
Before the imposition of travel restrictions, IRCC held fortnightly nomination draws to select eligible candidates including foreign skilled workers without job offer or work experience in Canada for permanent residence. However, during the pandemic, IRCC held regular draws yet restricted permanent residence to only CEC & PNP candidates. These candidates are required to have a minimum work experience in Canada.
Yet Express Entry issued 70,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence during the year 2020. It is seen as a new record in itself and shows the dependence of Canada on immigration for rebuilding its economy. This opens the doors for tech workers to immigrate to Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
A unique arrangement between provinces, territories and federal governments of Canada allows every Canadian province to nominate foreign talents for immigration that meet their local economic needs.
Any candidate may either apply individually or they can be invited to apply for a provincial nomination through dedicated, Express Entry-linked PNP streams. Either way guarantees an individual a permanent residency in Canada.
Candidates who register an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with respective Canadian provinces receive a provincial nomination. Later, this nomination certificate can fetch an additional 600 CRS points, thereby ensuring a permanent resident certificate in the subsequent Express Entry draw.
Most active provinces with PNP dedicated to tech workers include Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island. Recently, Saskatchewan held its largest ever draw nominating over 600 candidates with Tech work experience. British Columbia is not lagging behind with weekly Tech Pilot draws. It will soon surpass the 2,000 nominations landmark in 2020. Ontario has issued just three Tech draws in 2020 yet managed to attract a huge number of foreign tech talent into the country.
It is a federally managed program dedicated to entrepreneurs who are willing to contribute to the economy and looking for permanent residence in the country.
Famously known as ‘SUV’, it attracts huge tech talent and is showing significant results year-on-year. Apart from basic language criteria, successful candidates need to be endorsed by an angel investor, venture capital firm, or business incubator that has been designated by IRCC.
Get to know more on SUV from our expert consultant. You may schedule a one-on-one appointment here.
Work Permit Options
Work permit visa option is temporary.
The Global Talent Stream gained instant popularity since its launch in 2017. It allows businesses in Canada to hire foreign tech workers and make them travel to Canada for work in just about four weeks time. Nearly 40,000 Tech workers have been benefited by this program so far.
The biggest advantage of getting a work permit option first is that it enables the candidates to fulfil the much needed “work experience in Canada” criteria before they could become eligible for permanent residence. However, there are other pathways for Canada PR which may not require work experience.
Take this quick free online assessment to know your eligibility and kick-start your planning for immigration to Canada. Contact us to get the latest COVID-19 updates and its impact on Canadian immigration.
