Navigating the Immigration Process to Canada for Engineers
Introduction:
Engineers are among the most sought-after specialists in Canada’s force. Both federal and provincial immigration branches have declared their demand for various kinds of engineers across Canada. As such engineers have a large number of opportunities to immigrate to the nation. Embarking on the journey of immigrating to Canada as an engineer is a thrilling yet intricate process. This guide provides a step-by-step overview to help engineers understand and navigate the Canadian immigration landscape successfully. For simplicity’s sake, we can categorize pathways for engineers to immigrate to Canada into two classes:
1. direct permanent residence pathways; and
2. paths that produce eligibility for permanent residence (PR).
Direct permanent residence paths
Understanding the Express Entry System:
Express Entry is one of Canada’s main methods for economic immigration. Explore the key features of the Express Entry system, a points-based immigration system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence. It is an electronic system that contains three immigration programs:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP); and
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
This year, Express Entry has contained category-based draws to better address Canada’s labor needs. These categories are made up of targeted occupations, that candidates with experience in those jobs can be chosen under — and invited to apply for PR.
Engineers are comprised within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) category. The engineering occupations targeted include:
Civil Engineers (NOC Code: 21300);
Computer Engineers (NOC Code: 21311);
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC Code: 21310);
Engineering Managers (NOC Code: 20010);
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers (NOC Code: 21321);
Software Engineers and Designers (NOC Code: 21231);
Assessing Eligibility and Documentation:
Learn about the eligibility criteria and the necessary documentation required to initiate the immigration process.
Understand the significance of language proficiency tests like IELTS or CELPIP and how they contribute to your Express Entry profile.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
PNPs are Canada’s number one way for economic immigration. Explore the Provincial Nominee Program as an additional pathway to enhance your chances of receiving an invitation to apply. PNPs are designed to extend the help of immigration across Canada and help provinces address their local labour, economic and demographic requirements. As such PNPs have been targeting specific careers for much longer than Express Entry.
Paths to building eligibility for PR
If you see that you are lacking work experience eligibility for one of the natural permanent residence pathways, you still have choices as an engineer to build eligibility while in Canada, and then use for permanent residence once ready.
Due to Canada’s need for engineers in the labor market, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also created different work permit pathways for engineers to live and work in Canada. These will largely be contained within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), the International Mobility Program (IMP), and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The TFWP is a collective initiative managed by both Career and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and IRCC. The goal of the program is to facilitate Canadian employers in addressing real labor needs by recruiting international employees while providing priority is given to Canadian permanent residents and citizens for open job positions.
Engineers looking to work in Canada may stand a good possibility of receiving a work permit through the TFWP. Due to the demand for engineers in the Canadian labor market, there is a better chance that international experts who are able to secure a job in Canada will get a favorable or neutral LMIA and build professional experience in Canada
Post-Graduation Work Permit
The conclusive path by which engineers can gain eligibility for PR while in Canada is through a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit, which means it qualifies holders to work for most employers in most enterprises.
The PGWP is issued after an international student satisfies their studies in Canada (at a Designated Learning Institution), for a duration equal to the length of their studies, for up to three years.
Due to the flexibility of this work visa, it can be a key pathway by which Canadian-educated engineers can both gain work in Canada and significantly aid their chances of attaining PR in Canada.
Settling in Canada:
Practical advice on settling into your new life in Canada, including finding accommodation, healthcare, and community resources.
Conclusion:
A recap of the essential steps involved in immigrating to Canada as an engineer and the exciting prospects that await you. For more information contact Idea Immigration consultant in Surrey, BC.
