How to move to Canada as an IT Professional?

Canadas IT sector is listed as countrys top in-demand industry. Being most in-demand field, skilled immigrants performing IT jobs get competitive salaries and a constant growth in Canada. Since there is a huge demand for more IT workers in Canada, the Canadian government provide various permanent and temporary immigration pathways to help skilled talent contribute to Canadas IT sector. The programs like Express Entry and PNPs are offered for skilled workers, while there are specific programs as well, like Global Talent Stream and Start-Up Visa programs, which are dedicated for tech talent. If you are willing to immigrate to Canada on a permanent basis, the following are the most popular options that you may consider.

Express Entry System

For a skilled foreign national with minimum 1 year of skilled experience in a tech occupation, the Express Entry System make an ideal pathway towards Canadian permanent residency. In fact, tech workers are the key occupational group of new comers who migrate to Canada via Express Entry Program. Through Express Entry, an eligible applicant can become a PR visa approval within 8-12 months and can live and work anywhere within Canada on a permanent basis. The Federal Express Entry System of Canada is designed by the Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to electronically manage PR application from skilled foreign worker under following economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

If you are an IT professional with no prior connection to Canada, then the best option for you among the three programs mentioned above is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which accounts for approximately half of all immigrants who obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) via Express Entry draw. To qualify for FSWP, you must meet minimum eligibility criteria for Education, Language Ability and Work Experience. Also, you must obtain a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the FSW points grid based following six selection factors:

• Language skills points
• Education points
• Work experience points
• Age points
• Arranged employment in Canada points
• Adaptability points

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Another option for skilled professionals with no prior connection to Canada is to apply for Canada PRas a provincial nominee. Each Canadian province and territory operate its own immigration programs, known as Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Provinces can select and nominate eligible immigration applicants for provincial nomination only if they are capable of meeting provincial labour market needs. Two most popular provinces that offer specific pathways to tech workers include:

• Ontario- The province has an Ontario Tech Pilot, which is ideal for workers with experience in one of six eligible tech occupations. To qualify, candidates must have an Express Entry profile.
• British Columbia- The province has a Tech Pilot, which invite eligible immigration applicants to apply for a provincial nomination on a weekly basis. To receive an invitation in a BC PNP Tech Pilot Draw, applicants must have a job offer in one of 29 tech occupations.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada as a skilled IT professional via Express Entry or PNP, you must first find your eligibility by taking a free profile assessment online. Itll help you find a most suitable program based on your profile and immigration goals.