Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber

There has never been a better time than now to seize your opportunity to move to Canada’s shores as a plumber. The nation’s consistent labor shortage issues are also prevalent within the skilled trades sector. As a solution, the Canadian government has committed itself to attracting as many skilled trade workers as possible, with plumbers being among the workers at the top of their list.

Ready to explore the immigration pathways you can use to move to Canada as a plumber? Discover the five steps you can follow to immigrate to Canada as a plumber!

5 Steps to Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber

Immigrating to Canada as a plumber can be complex and overwhelming. As a helpful guide, here are five steps to immigrate to Canada as a plumber.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Apply

Before you begin the immigration process, it's crucial to determine if you meet Canada’s eligibility criteria. To assess whether or not you’re eligible to apply, consider factors such as:

• Age
  • You must be at least 18 years old
• Level of Education
  • You need a secondary/high school diploma with vocational or on-the-job training in your trade as a plumber.
• Work experience
  • You need a minimum of two years of full-time work experience
• Language proficiency in English or French
  • For plumbers, as a skilled trade, the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) requirement is level 4
• Admissibility into Canada
  • You demonstrate this by passing medical and criminal background checks.
• Ability to adapt to Canada's way of life

You can use our Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator to calculate your points and assess your eligibility for immigration to Canada as a plumber.

Step 2: Find The Plumber NOC Code

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility to apply, you must find your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code as a plumber. The NOC is a system used to classify occupations in Canada.

It is essential to find the NOC code as it allows you to find Canadian job opportunities in your trade accurately, access trade-specific Canadian labor market statistics, and identify your job's specified duties and responsibilities in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses your NOC code to assess your work experience and skills during the immigration process.

NOC code for plumbers is 72300 and their Teaching, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level is 2. The NOC and TEER level for plumbers makes them eligible to apply for Canada’s permanent residency immigration programs.

Step 3: Research Job Prospects For Plumbers in Canada

Researching the job prospects for plumbers in Canada helps you understand the demand and opportunities available. Canada’s growing construction industry, bolstered by a high housing demand caused by immigration, needs many skilled tradespeople, including plumbers.

Conduct thorough research on the job market in different provinces and territories to identify areas with high demand for plumbers. We recommend using the following trusted online job portals to find plumbing jobs in Canada.

• Canada’s Job Bank
• Indeed Canada
• Glassdoor Canada
• Monster Canada
• CareerBuilder Canada

You can also check out in-demand occupations in Canada as outlined in the map below.

Learn more about how to find a job in Canada.

Step 4: Find The Most Suitable Immigration Pathways For Plumbers

There are several immigration pathways available for plumbers to choose from. The two primary pathways are the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an Express Entry system immigration visa program designed to attract skilled tradespeople to Canada. Before applying for the FSTP as a plumber, ensure you:

• Have a valid, full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a year
• A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English
• A High school diploma
• Vocational or n-the-job trade specific training

Find out more about the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Provincial Nominee Programs for Plumbers

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs offered by provinces and territories in Canada, except for Quebec and Nunavut. Each province or territory has its own set of criteria and requirements for immigration. Some provinces have specific streams for skilled tradespeople, including plumbers. These provinces are listed in the table below.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program is a pilot program administered under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. The program offers a pathway to permanent residency for intermediate-skilled workers, including plumbers, who want to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, namely

• New Brunswick,
• Newfoundland and Labrador,
• Nova Scotia, and
• Prince Edward Island.

Check the eligibility criteria and requirements for this program to see if it aligns with your qualifications before you apply.

Learn about what you need to apply for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.

Step 5: Gather the Required Documents and Apply

Once you have identified the suitable immigration visa pathways for plumbers, you must gather all the required documents and submit your application. Required documents for immigration to Canada as a plumber may include:

• Travel documents (passport)
• Proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report that validates the equivalence of your foreign qualifications to Canadian education standards
• Language proficiency test results
• Police clearance certificates
• Medical clearance exam results

Use the Canadian immigration document checklist to ensure you have all the documents you need to apply.

Can I Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber Without a Job Offer?

Yes, it is possible to immigrate to Canada as a plumber without a job offer. The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program has no job offer requirements as part of its eligibility criteria.

This includes some PNP streams for plumbers, such as the:

• Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Stream,
• New Brunswick Skilled Workers Stream, and
• Northwest Territories Skilled Workers Program.

However, having a job offer can increase your chances of success in the immigration process.

Find out more about how to immigrate to Canada without a job offer.

Top 3 Canadian Provinces or Territories With the Highest Salaries for Plumbers

If you are a plumber considering immigration to Canada, you may want to know which provinces or territories offer the highest salaries. Here are the top three Canadian provinces or territories with the highest salaries for plumbers. Salary figures are taken from Canada’s Job Bank.

Quebec

Quebec is known for its strong construction industry and offers competitive salaries for plumbers. The province also provides a high standard of living and a vibrant cultural scene, making it an attractive destination for many immigrants.

Average annual salary for plumbers: 95,049.36 CAD.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories offer excellent job opportunities and high wages for plumbers. Due to its remoteness and its’ sparse population, plumbers are in high demand in the Northwest Territories.

Average annual salary for plumbers: 94,154.41 CAD.

Manitoba

Manitoba is another province in Canada that offers competitive salaries for plumbers. The province has a strong construction industry and a growing economy, which creates a demand for skilled tradespeople.

Average annual salary for plumbers: 91,235.04 CAD.

FAQs

How Long Does it Take to Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber?

The processing time for immigration applications can vary depending on several factors, such as the immigration program you apply through, the volume of applications being processed, and the accuracy and completeness of your application. The Federal Skilled Trades Program, as a program within the Express System, offers the fastest immigration route to Canada for plumbers.

Find out more about the application processing times you can expect after submitting your application.

What is the Average Salary Per Year for a Plumber Across Canada?

According to Canada’s Job Bank, the average salary per year for plumbers across Canada is 81,530.43 CAD.