How to Immigrate to Canada as a Tech Worker

Do you dream of immigrating to Canada as a tech worker? Canada has been an attractive destination for tech workers from all over the world. With its booming tech industry, Canada is the perfect place to start or further your career in tech. This blog will take you through how to immigrate to Canada as a tech worker, from the benefits of working in Canada's tech industry to the programs available for tech workers in the cities where tech jobs are booming.

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for tech workers worldwide, and it's easy to understand why. With a thriving tech industry proliferating, Canada is the perfect place to start or further your career in tech.

There are various immigration pathways for tech workers, including the Canada Express Entry Program, the Canadian Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program Tech Streams as Canadian family sponsorship for tech workers.

Canada's booming tech industry offers many benefits for tech workers, from high salaries and excellent work-life balance to diverse cities and friendly people.

Furthermore, Canada is home to some of the world's most innovative companies, and tech workers can gain valuable experience working there.

Not only that, but Canada's cities also offer an excellent quality of life. From the vibrant multicultural cities of Toronto and Vancouver to the stunning nature of the Rocky Mountains, tech workers in Canada can experience the best of both worlds. In addition, Canada is a very safe and welcoming destination for tech workers, with a range of initiatives in place to ensure the safety and well-being of new immigrants.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Tech Worker

Express Entry

The Express Entry system is an immigration program that allows skilled workers worldwide to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This program is designed to fast-track the immigration process and make it easier for skilled workers to move to Canada.

Applicants create an Express Entry profile on the Express Entry web portal. They then enter the following information:

  • Age
  • Marital Status
  • Level of Education
  • Work Experience

The Express Entry System is made of three Express Entry Programs. They are as follows:

Each of these programs is designed specifically for different types of skilled workers. However, the Express Entry Programs that are the most relevant for people working in tech are the FSWP and the CEC.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Canadian Skilled Worker Program is an immigration program for skilled workers in occupations requiring a university degree.

Tech workers must meet specific criteria to be eligible for this program, such as

  • Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer,
  • Having at least one year of full-time, paid work experience in the last ten years
  • Demonstrating language proficiency, and
  • Having a post-secondary degree or diploma.

Once tech workers have met the criteria and submitted their application, they will be assessed and given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System. IRCC presents those with the highest scores with Invitations to Apply (ITA's) for permanent residency in Canada. The FSWP is an excellent option for tech workers who want to move to Canada and contribute to the economy, and it is one of the fastest ways you can immigrate to Canada as a tech worker.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Canada's tech immigration is growing rapidly as the country has become a top destination for tech workers worldwide. The CEC for tech workers makes applying for permanent residency in Canada easier for international workers.

The CEC is a fast-track immigration program that makes it easier for tech workers living and working in Canada to become permanent residents. Tech workers who have lived and worked in Canada for at least a year in the past three years may be eligible to apply for the CEC. It is designed to help skilled workers transition from temporary to permanent residence in Canada.

Tech workers who apply for the CEC must demonstrate that they have the skills and experience required to contribute to Canada's economy. They must also show their language proficiency to work and live in Canada. Like the FSWP, the Canadian government looks at various factors, including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency, when assessing applications.

The CEC is a great opportunity for tech workers to make Canada their home. With access to the CEC, tech workers can gain permanent residence in Canada and access the country's wide range of tech jobs. Canada is home to a thriving tech industry, and the CEC makes it easier for tech workers to make Canada their home.

Provincial Nominee Program Tech Streams

Provincial Nominee Programs

Due to Canada being one of the largest countries in the world, the Canadian provinces and territories have created their own separate permanent residency programs called the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each PNP is designed to fulfill the needs of the specific labour markets for each province. In addition, each PNP is split into several smaller PNP streams to cater to the different industries of each province. As a result, certain provinces have specific tech streams.

The Canadian PNP tech streams are as follows:

On top of these, multiple Skilled worker streams remain open to tech workers. However, to determine your eligibility for any of these programs, it's best to look at which jobs are in demand in each province. To help you find the best opportunities for you and where the best place in Canada for you is, consult the map below.

To be eligible for the program, you must meet particular criteria, such as having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, demonstrating language proficiency, and having a post-secondary degree or diploma. Here's a handy guide on applying for jobs in Canada so you can start your journey as soon as possible.

Find out more about Canada PNP and which streams may be best for you.

Canadian Family Sponsorship for Tech Workers

If you are a tech worker with close family members, a spouse or a common-law partner in Canada, you may be eligible for family sponsorship. In addition, Canadian family sponsorship allows internationals with family members living in Canada to apply for permanent residency.

While this may not be specifically for tech workers, it is a fantastic way to get your permanent residency in Canada if you don't qualify for an Express Entry program or PNP.

To be eligible for this program, you must have an eligible sponsor waiting for you in Canada. This sponsor must be:

  • Over 18 years old
  • A Canadian Citizen or permanent resident
  • A law-abiding citizen with no criminal record
  • In possession of enough money to sponsor you while you're in Canada

You can be sponsored by your:

  • Spouse
  • Common-law or conjugal partner
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Siblings
  • Other close blood relatives

Canadian family sponsorship is a great option for tech workers who want to move to Canada and reunite their family members without having to land a job in Canada or fulfill the stringent eligibility criteria of the other Canadian permanent residency programs.

Find out how you can qualify for family sponsorship in Canada.

Work Permit

If you are a tech worker from outside of Canada and want to work in Canada, you must apply for a Canadian work permit. A Canadian work permit allows you to live and work in Canada for the length of your job contract. However, it doesn't afford you the same rights as permanent residents, and if your work contract ends, you will likely have to return to your home country.

To be eligible for a work permit, you must have a valid job offer from a designated Canadian employer, and you must be able to demonstrate language proficiency.

Once you have a work permit, you can start working in Canada. A work permit is an excellent option for tech workers who want to move to Canada and start working immediately. Getting a Canadian work permit also opens up great opportunities to gain permanent residency in Canada, like the CEC.

Here's a full breakdown of how to get your Canadian work permit.

However, navigating the Canadian immigration process can sometimes be complex and confusing. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is ensuring eligibility for your chosen program. No one wants to get all their documentation together and prepare for life in Canada only to find that they can't go there because of a technicality. One of the best ways to ensure this doesn't happen is to consult a certified immigration expert like a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

An RCIC can give you a complete evaluation and professional advice on how to start your Canadian journey the right way.

Best Cities to Work in Tech in Canada

Work in Tech in Canada

Canada is home to many IT jobs for foreigners. From software engineering to data analytics to web development, there are plenty of opportunities for tech workers in Canada. In addition, many of Canada's leading tech companies actively recruit tech workers worldwide, offering competitive salaries and benefits.

Canada's governments are also actively recruiting tech workers worldwide. From the federal to the provincial level, there are plenty of opportunities for tech workers in Canada. Furthermore, Canada's tech industry is rapidly expanding, with plenty of opportunities for tech workers to start their businesses or join a start-up.

As a result, Canada is home to some of the best cities in the world for tech workers. From the vibrant multicultural towns of Toronto and Vancouver to the stunning nature of the Rocky Mountains, tech workers in Canada can experience the best of both worlds.

Toronto, Ontario, is great for tech workers, with its booming tech industry, start-up culture, and world-class universities.

Vancouver, British Columbia, is another great city for tech workers, with its vibrant tech scene, beautiful nature and world-class universities.

Other great cities for tech workers in Canada include Halifax in Nova Scotia and Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta. To learn more about which city may be correct, look at Canada's job sites and see where the best opportunities are for you. 

Canadian Companies that Sponsor Foreign Workers

Several Canadian companies sponsor foreign tech workers. From tech giants such as Microsoft and Google to smaller start-ups, there are plenty of opportunities for tech workers in Canada. Many companies offer competitive salaries and benefits and actively recruit tech workers worldwide.

many companies offer foreign tech workers financial incentives and other benefits. These benefits can include relocation costs, visa assistance, and more. So if you are a tech worker looking to work in Canada, plenty of companies are willing to sponsor you.

Learn more about Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers.

Join Canada's Booming Tech Industry

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Tech Worker

Immigrating to Canada as a tech worker is an exciting opportunity, and several pathways are available to tech workers who want to move. From the Canada Express Entry Program to the Canadian Skilled Worker Program to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program Tech Streams, tech workers can find a program that suits their needs. Furthermore, there are plenty of IT jobs in Canada for foreigners, and Canadian companies are actively recruiting tech workers worldwide.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada as a tech worker, you can start the process as soon as possible. By taking the time to research your options and applying for the right program, you can make your dream of working in Canada a reality. Please find out how you can get your start in Canada's tech industry with one of our RCICs today.

Our RCICs can evaluate you to find the right program for you, create your online profiles, fill out your application forms, help you source and verify your documentation, represent you with certain immigration authorities, curate your CV to Canadian standards and provide you with the advice and support you need through the entire process.

FAQs

Immigrate to Canada as a Tech Worker

What is the Job Market Like in the Tech Industry in Canada?

The job market in the tech industry in Canada is booming. Canada is the world's third-largest tech hub and is home to some of the world's largest tech companies. With the tech industry's growth, there are many opportunities to work in tech in Canada.

Here are some of Canada's top job sites to get you started.

What Skills are Needed to Land a Job in Tech in Canada?

If you want to work in tech in Canada, you must have a solid technical background in coding, software engineering, or another related field. Additionally, many tech companies in Canada are looking for candidates with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

What is the Average Salary for Tech Jobs in Canada?

Salaries in the tech sector in Canada are among the highest in the world, with tech workers earning an average of CAD 81,000 per year. However, the average salary for tech jobs in Canada varies depending on the role, experience level, and location. Currently, wages for tech jobs in Canada generally range from around CAD 50,000 to CAD 150,000.

What Types of Tech Jobs are Available in Canada?

Various tech jobs are available in Canada, including software engineering, web development, data science, and product management. Additionally, many tech companies in Canada are looking for candidates with experience in sales, marketing, and customer service.