Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber

Are you an experienced and qualified plumber looking to immigrate to Canada? Not only are plumbers in demand in at least 4 of Canada’s 11 provinces and territories but it is also a trade that pays pretty well. Plumbers can earn anywhere from $39,000 to an average of $65,072 per year, however, experienced plumbers can earn up to $97,500 per year. And the best part? The provinces that need plumbers the most offer the highest salaries in the country. This means that not only will your application be prioritized if you apply for permanent residency (Find our more about how to apply for your PR in our TR to PR article) in a province that needs plumbers but you could take home a salary that is one of the highest in your profession in the whole of Canada. That's a win-win in our books!

Canada aims to invite 411,000 people to move to Canada in 2022. Of this massive total, 195,800 highly skilled foreign workers will be invited to apply for permanent residency through economic immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system; including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, The Federal Trade Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class as well as Provincial Nominee Programs and immigration pilots such as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. 

Now granted, as with any profession, there will be some red tape including having your credentials assessed but not to worry. This article delves into everything you'll need to know about immigrating to Canada as a plumber.



Jobs in Canada for Plumbers

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There are currently hundreds of jobs available for experienced and qualified plumbers who are interested in immigrating to Canada. Finding a job in Canada is undoubtedly just as daunting as the Canadian immigration process itself, however, with online platforms such as eJobbo, it can be a lot simpler and less complicated to get in contact with potential Canadian employers. For tips on how to get your dream job in Canada visit our blog here. One of the best places to start when looking for a job in Canada is to start with your location. Do some research about life in your province or territory of choice as well as affordability based on your salary expectation. The top provinces where plumbers are in-demand include British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba. Below are some of the average salaries in the 4 provinces where plumbers are in high demand:


Average Salary by In-demand Provinces for Plumbers
ProvinceAverage Salary (CAD)
Ontario$66,300
Manitoba$66,300
British Columbia$61,932
New Brunswick$45,884

We would like to add that although plumbers are not in high demand in Alberta, they do offer the highest national salary average for plumbers, with $74,100 as the average provincial annual salary. For more information about immigrating to Alberta visit our blog here.



What Tools Do I Need to Immigrate to Canada as a Plumber?

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Besides your wrench and spanner, you will need to make sure that you meet all the necessary requirements to not only immigrate to Canada as a plumber but work in Canada under your trade. These requirements may differ based on the province or territory you choose to settle in. It is important to note that the Candian Immigration system will rank your occupation according to your skill level and type. Plumbers have a National Occupation Classification (NOC Code) 7251. This applies to maintenance and general plumbers, apprentices and plumbing mechanics, for example. And because the skill level for plumbers is B, it means that you may be eligible to apply through almost any top immigration program! Below are some of the criteria for plumbers who want to live and work in Canada.

  • Completion of secondary or high school;
  • Work experience(usually at least 1 year depending on the program and province/territory);
  • Journeyman/woman trade certification in machining, tool and die making or other related metalworking trade;
  • four to five-year apprenticeship or combination of work experience and industry courses(NOC7251);
  • Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta
  • *Trade certification is available but not compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; and
  • *Red seal endorsement also available yet optional (allows for interprovincial mobility).

Please remember that all qualifications will need to be assessed to ensure that it meets Canadian standards. This means that you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in order for it to count towards your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points when the time comes to apply for your visa. Calculate your score now with our CRS calculator. Below is a list of designated organizations that that are permitted to assess your qualifications:

  • Comparative Education Service - University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies;
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada;
  • World Education Services;
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS); and
  • International Credential Evaluation Service.

To see if you meet the specific requirements of your chosen province or territory, be sure to contact the relevant regulatory authority.



How Do I Apply for a Canadian Visa as a Plumber in 2022?

Smiling African-american man applying to immigrate to Canada as a plumber | jobs in Canada

There are various ways to immigrate to Canada as a plumber in 2022 but the key to a successful visa application is to select the immigration program that is best suited to your needs. This can generally best be determined by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants or RCICs who are skilled and qualified to do an in-depth eligibility evaluation. Below, however, are overviews of the top 4 options to move to Canada as a plumber in 2022.

  1. Express Entry system;
  2. Provincial Nominee Program;
  3. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot;
  4. Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

1. Express Entry

Express Entry is a system that has made Canadian immigration much more accessible and quicker for applicants from all over the globe. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada and manages 3 Canadian federal economic immigration programs, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program. Plumbers are classified under NOC Major Group 72 or industrial, electrical and construction trades which means that you may be eligible to submit your Canadian visa application through the FSTP. You will need to create an Express Entry profile containing information about your age, language skill and qualification, and so on, in order to be entered into draws that usually takes place every 2 weeks. Your profile will be ranked according to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and you will receive a score. If your score equals the minimum CRS cut off score or is higher, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.

2. Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows skilled foreign workers with a full-time job offer to immigrate to Canada. This is largely dependent on whether your occupation is in demand in that particular province or territory. Each province or territory not only has its own PNP but its own specific labour needs and requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a provincial nomination (PN). If you receive a PN, you will receive 600 extra CRS points, which basically guarantees that you receive an ITA for permanent residence. As mentioned earlier, most plumber jobs in Canada can be found in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick, which means that it may be a good idea to take a look at these 4 PNPs to immigrate to Canada in 2022.


3. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

As an experienced plumber, you may qualify to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RINP), which is an immigration pilot for skilled foreign workers with a valid full-time job offer. The RINP has 11 participating communities, 4 of which are in Manitoba and British Columbia, where plumbers are in-demand:

  • Brandon, Manitoba;
  • Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba;
  • Vernon, British Columbia; and
  • West Kootenay(Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia

Be sure to check for any specific requirements set out by your chosen community and province.

4. Atlantic Immigration Pilot

As mentioned earlier, plumbers are classified at NOC skill level B and are also in demand in New Brunswick, which means that if you have a valid job offer in this Atlantic province you may be eligible to apply for your Canadian visa under The Atlantic Immigration Pilot. It is both a community-driven and employer-specific pilot that assists skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. 

Ready to start your Canadian journey? Simply click the link below and let's get started!



We Can Help You Immigrate to Canada

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Applying for a Canadian visa can be time-consuming and confusing. With strict deadlines, procedures, and requirements to adhere to, it can be easy to make a mistake that could cost you your chance to immigrate to Canada as a plumber. But with the guidance and assistance of one of our knowledgeable Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC’s), the process will be stress-free.

When you choose to use our expert and government trusted services, you will receive:

  • An in-depth eligibility assessment
  • Guidance on which of 70+ immigration programs and visas to choose from;
  • An immigration plan tailored to your individual needs;
  • A review and submission of all application forms and documentation; as well as
  • Support through every step of the application process.

All you have to do is fill out our application form to receive your eligibility assessment and let us take care of the rest. It’s just that simple! Your Canadian journey starts here.

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