Tech Professionals: 7 Top Ways You Can Immigrate to Canada

Canada uses innovative immigration policies including Express Entry, Global Talent Stream, Provincial Technology Pilot Programs to help fill in the need for Tech Professionals for its emerging technology industry.

Why Tech Professionals Should Immigrate to Canada

• Canada is the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world, with a whole system built to easily integrate newcomers into society.
• Canada’s society is open, tolerant, and ready to welcome all new immigrants, regardless of their backgrounds or countries of origin.
• Tech professionals are highly in-demand in Canada, Tech job opportunities and salaries are at the top.
• Canada’s education system has the top universities and colleges in the world. applicants having access to some world-recognized institutions.
• Canada has one of the world’s best government-funded universal healthcare system for its permanent residents and citizens.
• Canadian society is very safe and secure and has a stable, democratic political system.

The top Tech jobs, such as: Software Developers, IT Project Managers, Computer Programmers and Computer Engineers are highly in demand in Canada.

Tech Professionals in some of these most in demand positions can immigrate to

Canada in several ways:

1. By coming to Canada through applying directly for permanent residence;
2. By coming to Canada as a Temporary Resident on a Work Permit, before transitioning to Permanent Residence;
3. By coming to Ontario, Canada, through Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot
4. By coming to British Columbia, Canada, through Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot
5. By coming to Quebec province through Quebec immigration system
6. By coming from EU member country to work in Canada through CETA Work Permit Program
7. By coming from USA or Mexico to work in Canada through NAFTA Work Permit Program

By coming to Canada through applying directly for permanent residence

Skilled workers applying directly for Permanent Residence come through Express Entry Program. Federal Economic Immigration Programs are:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program;
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program;
3. Canada Experience Class.

Candidates wishing to come to Canada through one of these programs must first register a profile in the Express Entry pool. This profile is given a score against a Comprehensive Ranking System, with the highest scoring profiles receiving an Invitation to Apply.

There are many ways in which candidates can boost their score while in the Express Entry Pool, including by securing a qualified job offer in Canada or by securing a student permit and enrolling in a Canadian university or college program.

Qualified Tech professionals are highly in demand in Canada, and the Express Entry system is easily accepting these types of candidates.

Canada’s Top Tech Occupations are:

• Computer Engineer
• Computer Programmer
• Software Engineer
• Software Developer
• IT Project Manager

For more information if you qualify under Express Entry Program and how to boost your score, contact our immigration lawyers at Beffa Law.

By coming to Canada as a temporary resident on a work permit, before transitioning to permanent residence

More and more IT specialists are coming to Canada on a temporary Work Permit before transitioning to Permanent Residence. Canadian federal government launched the Global Talent Stream to specifically target technology occupations.

Candidates with a job offer get their Labour Market Impact Assessment, work permit and Canada visa processed in 2 weeks if they meet the program’s requirements.

Once candidates are in Canada and working through this program they can apply for Permanent Residence through Express Entry.

For more information about how to apply for a work permit and obtain the Labour Market Impact Assessment, contact our immigration lawyers at Beffa Law for a consultation.

Ontario has announced plans to create a dedicated provincial stream aimed at skilled technology workers through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

New Technology Sector Stream

Ontario government will create a dedicated stream to help Ontario’s technology sector attract highly skilled employees.

Ontario is Canada’s most populated province and its capital, Toronto, being the famous city that many newcomers call it ”home”. The technology sector stream is a response to the growing IT industry in Ontario, centered around Toronto which is considered the fastest growing tech market in North America. Ontario participates in OINP which helps to address labour market shortages occurring on the ground in specific Canadian provinces.

An OINP technology skilled worker stream follows the federal government’s successful Global Talent Stream for Tech workers, and also British Columbia’s PNP Tech Pilot, which gives technology workers priority for BC province nominations.

Tech Stream

Ontario immigration is to start targeting specific technology occupations with new tech draws from the Express Entry pool.

New Tech draws will focus on 6 specific NOC codes through Human Capital Priorities Stream of the OINP.

The purpose is to identify people with technological skills in the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Express Entry pool. The 6 Tech Occupations are:

NOC	OINP Technology occupations
2173	Software engineers and designers
2174	Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2147	Computer engineers
2175	Web designers and developers
2172	Database analysts and data administrators
0213	Computer and information systems managers

Candidates must meet the criteria of the Human Capital Priorities stream as well as have work experience in one of the targeted occupations. Through this dedicated approach, Ontario is helping to make it easier for businesses in the technology sector to recruit top talent from around the world.

Candidates selected from the Express Entry pool receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) via IRCC account. They have 45 days to submit the application.

As part of the new focus on technology occupations, Ontario has also launched a new Business Immigration Services team. Employers can also get up-to-date information about application processing times and nominations issued to date.

Ontario Human Capital Priorities General Requirements

• Ongoing profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for either the FSWP or the CEC.
• Hold minimum of 1-year of full time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B, in the past five years if applying under the FSWP or in the past three years if applying under CEC.
• Hold the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Show language proficiency of minimum CLB/NCLC level 7 in English or in French.
• Intention to reside in the province of Ontario.
• Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
• Proof of required settlement funds.
• Minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score as determined by director under period draws.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) makes it that much easier to move to Ontario with its amendments, like the addition of a tech stream.

For more information about your qualification to immigrate through OINP Tech Pilot, contact our immigration lawyers at Beffa law for a consultation.

By coming to British Columbia, Canada, through Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot

Launched in 2017 and extended until June 2020, BC PNP Tech Pilot supports the attraction of skilled workers to satisfy the demand for tech talent. BC PNP Tech Pilot’s top features are: dedicated concierge service; weekly invitations for tech registrants to apply; priority processing; and focused outreach and engagement.

BC PNP issues invitations on a weekly basis to qualified applicants who have a valid job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations.

Some of the Eligible occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot are:

NOC	CETA Independent Professional IT occupations
0131	Telecommunication carriers managers
0213	Computer and information systems managers
0512	Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
2147	Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2171	Information systems analysts and consultants
2172	Database analysts and data administrators
2173	Software engineers and designers
2174	Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175	Web designers and developers
2281	Computer network technicians
2283	Information systems testing technicians
5224	Broadcast technicians
5225	Audio and video recording technicians
5226	Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
5227	Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
5241	Graphic designers and illustrators.
6221	Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade

For more information about your qualification to immigrate through BC PNP Tech Pilot, contact our immigration lawyers at Beffa law for a consultation.The BC PNP supports employers to attract and retain needed talent by providing an expedited immigration pathway for internationally trained workers who have the required skills, experience and qualifications needed by BC employers, as well as international students who have completed their education in BC or elsewhere in Canada and have the critical skills required for BC’s technology sector.

By coming to Quebec through this province own immigration system

The Government of Quebec has a new Expression of Interest immigration system, Arrima, to manage applications under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Quebec’s Expression of Interest System

In August 2018, Quebec’s new Expression of Interest System came into effect as part of the province’s efforts to streamline the processing of QSWP applications. Individuals interested in applying for immigration to Quebec begin the process by declaring their interest in applying to the program and entering a profile in a profile using the Arrima portal.

On June 26, 2019, Quebec has introduced 3 important changes to its Expression of Interest system, as the immigration ministry prepares to issue the first invitations to apply from the Arrima portal: 1) Existing profiles get extra 6 months validity; 2) invited candidates get reduced 60 days to submit applications; and 3) profiles of candidates who decline invitations will remain in Quebec EOI bank.

Skilled Workers or international graduates in Quebec may apply to immigrate to Quebec under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), or the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Foreign workers who want to settle as permanent residents in Quebec may be eligible through the QSWP which is a points-based initiative, operated separately from federal skilled worker programs. Successful applicants may bring accompanying family members to Quebec, and a separate job offer is not required.

Applicants who are successful under the QSWP are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will conduct a medical and criminal background check as part of its approval process.

In order to qualify for a CSQ, you must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection factors.

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program is another Quebec immigration pathway available to eligible international graduates with a Quebec diploma and individuals with at least 12 months skilled work experience in the past 24 months. Applicants to the PEQ are required to have an advanced knowledge of spoken French.

The Canada–European Union Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CETA) allows certain service providers, independent professionals, intra-company transferees, business visitors, and investors to work in Canada without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

The LMIA process requires a potential employer in Canada to undergo a rigorous recruitment procedure before they hire a foreign worker. The fact that CETA facilitates the LMIA-exempt hiring of certain Europeans is therefore beneficial to employers and eligible workers alike.

CETA Categories are: Independent Professionals and Contractual Service Providers; Intra-Company Transfers; Investors; and Business Visitors.

Independent Professionals and Contractual Service providers

• Applicants in either category of professionals must be contracted to provide a service in accordance with the list of occupations and concordance table.
• Applicants must also be engaged in the temporary supply of a service for a period not exceeding 12 months.
• The worker seeking entry into the Canadian labour market under the provisions of CETA must be a citizen of an EU member state.

Independent Professionals

Independent professional means a self-employed professional who has a contract to supply a service to a Canadian consumer.

The applicant must: be engaged in the supply of a service on a temporary basis as a self-employed person; and possess at least six years of professional experience in the sector of activity which is the subject of the contract.

Some CETA eligible occupations for independent professionals and contractual service suppliers are:

NOC	Occupation
	Engineering services and Integrated engineering services
0013	Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services: engineering designation required
0015	Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.: engineering designation required
0016	Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities: engineering designation required
0211	Engineering manager
2122	Forestry professionals: engineering designation required
213	Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers: all occupations
214	Other engineers: all occupations
2173	Software engineers and designers: only software engineers
	Computer and related services
0213	Computer and information systems managers
2147	Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers):
217	Computer and information systems professionals: all occupations

For more information about working in Canada under CETA Trade Agreement, please contact our experienced immigration lawyers at Beffa law for a consultation.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), certain types of workers from the United States and Mexico may work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The NAFTA

NAFTA work permits are issued by the government of Canada under the International Mobility Program (IMP). Because U.S. and Mexican citizens do not require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada, NAFTA work permit applications may be done at a Port of Entry, at a Visa Office, or online.

NAFTA Professionals

The NAFTA Professionals category is a popular category for eligible U.S. and Mexican citizens with requisite education and experience to work in Canada. The eligible occupations list includes a broad range of professions.

NAFTA Professionals occupations are:

NOC	NAFTA Technology occupations
2171	Computer Systems Analyst
2147, 2173, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2241….	Engineer
1122	Management Consultant
2231	Technical Publications Writer

NAFTA professionals wishing to work in Canada should note the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or Mexico.
• Must be in a profession identified in the list above.
• Must have a qualification to work in that profession (degree or certification in a related educational program).
• Must have pre-arranged employment with an employer in Canada.
• Must have provision of professional level services in the field of qualification.

** A new agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico has been signed but is not yet ratified. This deal, known as Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), may replace the existing NAFTA, with new opportunities for eligible professionals to work in Canada.

For more information about NAFTA work permits and your qualification to work in Canada under NAFTA, contact our experienced immigration lawyers at Beffa Law.

How We Can Help IT Professionals Move to Canada

At Beffa Law we offer our international clients comprehensive assistance in immigration. We provide individual clients with extensive legal counsel drawing on our more than 11 years of combined professional experience.

We will empower you on how to raise your profile, including your CRS score in the Express Entry Pool. We can also teach you how to find a job in Canada from overseas.

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