Are you a tech professional seeking exciting job opportunities abroad? Canada might just be the perfect destination for your career growth.
With a booming tech industry and a high demand for skilled workers, Canada offers various pathways for tech talents from the U.S. to work and eventually become permanent residents.
In this article, we will navigate you through the various pathways available, making your journey to a successful tech career in Canada smooth and achievable.
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1. Global Talent Stream (GTS):
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) offers a swift and efficient way for Canadian employers to hire skilled tech workers from abroad. Here’s what you need to know:
What is GTS?
GTS is a part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). It allows Canadian employers to quickly hire skilled technology sector workers to help their companies grow.
The processing time for GTS applications is impressively fast, with many completed in around two weeks.
What Makes GTS a Great Choice For Tech Worker?
If you’re a tech professional seeking immediate employment opportunities in Canada, GTS is an excellent choice.
The rapid processing time ensures that you can start your Canadian tech job sooner rather than later.
2. Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) under CUSMA:
If you’re a U.S. citizen working in the tech industry and you need temporary employment in Canada, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) category under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is tailored for you. Here’s what you should know:
What is ICT under CUSMA?
CUSMA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020 and is an employment-based agreement between the three North American countries.
The ICT category of CUSMA enables tech industry workers who are U.S. citizens to receive a work permit in Canada if they need to be temporarily transferred for employment.
Eligibility for ICT under CUSMA:
To qualify for an ICT work permit under CUSMA, you must be coming to Canada to work for the Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of your American employer.
3. Start-Up Visa Program:
For tech entrepreneurs with groundbreaking ideas and a passion for innovation, Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program opens doors to establishing and expanding tech-focused businesses.
What is the Start-Up Visa Program?
The Start-Up Visa Program, managed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is designed to recruit innovative foreign national entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and drive economic growth in Canada.
Successful applicants are connected with IRCC-designated organizations that will assist them with operating a business inside Canada through funding, guidance, and expertise.
Why Choose the Start-Up Visa Program For Tech Talent?
If you have innovative business ideas and a passion for creating job opportunities and economic growth, this program offers the support and resources you need to thrive in the Canadian market.
4. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
Canada is vast, and its tech industry spans the entire country. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) give you the flexibility to select specific regions aligned with your expertise and skills. Here’s what you should know:
What are Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?
Operated by all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec and Nunavut, PNPs are designed to equip local governments with the ability to select specific immigration candidates who can best help their region address specific local labor market and economic challenges.
Why Consider PNPs?
- Regional Expertise: PNPs offer specialized streams for tech professionals, allowing you to work in regions where your skills are in high demand, contributing significantly to local economies.
- Community Integration: PNPs provide a unique opportunity to become an integral part of Canadian communities, fostering cultural exchange and enriching your overall experience.
- Family-Friendly: PNPs often extend invitations to applicants’ families, ensuring a holistic transition that includes your loved ones in your Canadian journey.
5. Express Entry System:
Canada’s Express Entry system serves as a comprehensive platform for skilled workers, including those in the tech industry, to obtain permanent residency.
What is the Express Entry System?
Express Entry is the application management system used by Canada’s federal government to manage immigration applications to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
How Does Express Entry Work?
Applicants to these three programs are scored and ranked against each other using their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
Candidates are evaluated based on their skills, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residency are issued during standard Express Entry draws to applicants who have a CRS score above a particular draw’s designated cut-off score.
How to Improve Your CRS Score In Express Entry
Category Based Express Entry Draws:
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) prioritized five occupational sectors for Express Entry category-based draws:
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
The Importance of Canadian Work Experience:
Canadian work experience can significantly enhance your CRS score and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
