7 Pathways to Obtain Canada PR for IT Professionals

“How to obtain Canada PR as an IT Professional?”

Canada is home to several major companies with massive IT departments. These companies employ many IT professionals to help meet their needs. However, the supply of Canadian IT workers can’t keep up with the high demand for such professionals. A recent study found that Canadian companies must fill an estimated 250,000 IT jobs by 2025. For this reason, many of these companies are turning to foreign IT workers to fill vacancies in their IT departments.

The Canadian Federal and Provincial governments have created many programs to help skilled IT workers immigrate to Canada. This guide will go over six pathways to obtain Canada PR for IT professionals.

What IT Jobs are in High Demand in Canada?

If you’re an IT professional who is interested in finding employment in Canada, your chances will be higher if you intend to work in any of the following occupations:

• Software Engineer
• Tech Sales
• Product Manager
• Full Stack Developer
• Graphic Designer
• Developer
• User Experience Designer

Each of the above occupations is in high demand, so consider looking for Canadian employers seeking out workers to fill vacancies in these positions.

Related: How to get a job offer from outside Canada?

7 Ways to Get Canada PR as an IT Professional

The following seven programs offer opportunities for Canadian immigration for IT professionals.

• BC PNP Tech
• Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
• Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
• Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway
• Intra-Company Transfer
• Start-Up Visa Canada
• Global Talent Stream

British Columbia’s BC PNP Tech program provides a straightforward immigration route for people in tech-related occupations. This includes:

Applicants nominated under the BC PNP Tech program can apply for a work permit without their employer having to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment. They can work in British Columbia while their permanent residence application is processed.

BC PNP Tech Requirements

IT workers who intend to apply for the BC PNP Tech program must meet the requirements for either the BC Skilled Worker or BC International Graduate Categories. These requirements are as follows:

Job Offer: In both the BC PNP Skills Immigration and International Graduate categories, IT worker applicants must have a full-time job offer from a British Columbia employer. This job offer must fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) TEER codes for the occupations specified above.

Work Experience: IT worker applicants in both the Skilled Worker and International Graduate Categories must possess a minimum of two years of work experience in the occupation they intend to work in Canada.

Language Proficiency: IT applicants using the Skilled Worker pathway must have a minimum language proficiency score of CLB 4. Those using the International Graduate category don’t have to follow this requirement if their job offer falls under NOC 0, 1, 2 or 3. Those with job offers that fall under NOC TEER 4 or 5 must score a minimum of CLB 4.

Education Requirements: IT Worker applicants using the BC PNP Skilled Worker pathway do not have to meet minimum education requirements. Those following the International Graduate category must have completed a College or University program lasting a minimum of one year inside Canada.

BC PNP Tech Application Process

Prospective applicants who intend to apply for this Canada PNP for IT professionals must follow the steps described below:

• Determine if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the BC PNP Tech program pathway you intend to pursue.
• Create a profile on the BC PNP immigration portal online.
• If you are invited to apply, you must complete an application and pay a fee.
• You will receive a provincial nomination and a support letter for a work permit if approved.
• You can then apply for permanent resident status and a work permit.
• Once you receive your Canadian work permit, you can come to Canada and work for your employer while awaiting the decision on your permanent residence application.

Alberta’s Accelerated Tech Pathway is another Canada PNP program for IT professionals. This program stands out because it works with the Federal Express Entry System to help IT professionals get permanent residence.

This program caters to IT professionals in the following occupations:

IT workers who wish to apply to Canada PNP program for IT professionals must first check that they qualify for at least one of the Federal Express Entry Programs. This includes:

Federal Skilled Worker Program

• A high school diploma
• One year of work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
• A language proficiency test score of at least CLB 7

Canadian Experience Class

• One year of work experience for a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs. You must have gained this work experience three years before creating the Express Entry application.
• A language proficiency score of at least CLB 7 if your work experience falls under NOC TEER 0 or 1. If your work experience falls under NOC TEER 2 or 3, this requirement is at least CLB5.

Federal Skilled Trades Class

• Two years of work experience in a job that fits Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s definition of “Skilled trades”.
• You must have a Canadian skilled trades certificate needed to work in your chosen occupation inside Canada.
• Score a minimum of CLB 5 in the language test’s speaking and listening categories and a minimum of CLB 4 for the tests writing and reading categories.

In addition to the above requirements, you must also:

• Have created a profile for Canada Express Entry for IT professionals
• Have a recognized job offer in one of the NOC categories mentioned above from an Alberta employer
• Demonstrate they possess enough funds to settle in Alberta

Alberta Accelerated Pilot Program Application Process

IT workers who wish to apply for the Alberta Accelerated Pilot Program must use the following application process:

• Check that you are eligible for at least one of the Federal Express Entry Programs.
• Create an Express Entry Profile online
• Submit an expression of interest to the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway.
• You will receive a provincial nomination and a support letter for a work permit if approved.
• You can apply for permanent resident status through Express Entry and a work permit.
• Once you receive your Canadian work permit, you can come to Canada and work for your employer while awaiting the decision on your permanent residence application.

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream is another provincial program for IT workers who want to settle in Ontario. OINP human capital priorities stream also works with the Express Entry system, so the program requirements are similar to the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway.

Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream caters to IT workers in the following professions:

Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream Application Process

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream’s application process is similar to that of the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway. The only difference is that you cannot apply with the province directly. Instead, you must wait for a Notification of Interest from the province after completing your Express Entry Profile.

Intra Company Transfer Canada is a unique program that lets foreign workers working at multinational companies transfer from their current branch in their home country to the company’s branch in Canada. Successful applicants will receive a one-year work permit to come to Canada and work here. They can then use this work experience to apply for immigration through one of the Federal Express Entry programs or Provincial Nominee Programs.

Intra-Company Transfer Requirements

IT workers who intend to apply through the Intra-Company Transfer program must meet the following requirements:

• You must be employed at a multinational firm
• The job must be in an executive or senior management position. Alternatively, IT workers with specialized knowledge are also acceptable.
• The multinational firm must have a branch or subsidiary in Canada.

Intra-Company Transfer Application Process

• Intra -Company Transfer Application Process, The steps to the Canada PR Visa process for IT professionals under the Intra-Company Transfer program are outlined below:
• You must first check if you qualify for the ICT requirements described above.
• Next, you can submit a work permit application.
• If your work permit application is approved, you can come to Canada and work with your Canadian employer.
• After obtaining one or two years of work experience, you can apply for permanent residence through a Federal Express or Provincial Nominee program.

Related: Intra Company Transfer from India to Canada

The Start-Up Visa Canada is for foreign entrepreneurs who want to create a start-up in Canada. This immigration route is well-suited for entrepreneurs with a lucrative tech start-up idea who have also managed to secure funding from a Canadian investment organization.

Start-Up Visa Requirements

IT professionals who intend to apply for the Start-Up Visa program must meet the following requirements:

• Have a qualifying business
• Have a valid Letter of Support from a Canadian investment organization
• Score a minimum of CLB 5 on a language proficiency exam
• Prove they possess the funds to support themselves and their family in Canada

Start-Up Visa Application Process

The Start-Up visa application process is as follows:

• Obtain a support letter from a designated Canadian investment organization
• Complete and submit a Start-Up visa application
• Pay the Start-Up Visa application fees
• Submit your biometrics and medical exam results
• You will receive a permanent residence visa if your Start-Up application is approved

6. Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway

The Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway is a specialized sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This program is designed specifically for high-skilled workers in the technology and innovation sectors. This program is intended for workers who have received an offer for a skilled job in Saskatchewan. These individuals must meet the sub-category criteria and intend to reside in Saskatchewan as a permanent residents. Several factors determine eligibility for the Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway:

• Work Experience: The requirements for work experience vary depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside of Saskatchewan.
• Language Proficiency: Language requirements depend on whether the offering employer employs the applicant.
• Education: Applicants must have an education related to the job offer.
• Licensing Requirements: Certain occupations may require licensing from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).
• Job Offer Requirements: Applicants must have an offer for an eligible permanent, full-time job in the technology or innovation sector in Saskatchewan.

The Global Talent Stream is a speedy way to start working in Canada. To use this approach, you must find a Canadian employer willing to hire you through this program. If chosen, you will receive a three-year work permit to come to Canada and work here.

Global Talent Stream Requirements

There are no fixed requirements for the Global Talent Stream. However, you should ensure you qualify for at least one of the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs. In addition to this, you should have a minimum of one year of work experience in one of the following in-demand occupations:

Global Talent Stream Application Process

IT professionals who wish to apply for the Global Talent Stream must follow the process described below:

• Secure a job offer in one of the occupations listed above.
• Ask your employer to submit your information for the Global Talent Stream
• If the employer receives a valid positive LMIA, you can apply for a work permit and come to Canada.
• Once you have enough work experience, you can apply for permanent residence through an Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program

As you can see, there are many immigration programs for IT professionals. Book a consultation with our licensed experts if you need assistance applying for these programs. Our team is led by Mr. Keshav Sharma, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant who is familiar with the application process for each one and can guide you properly.