Skilled Worker
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for skilled migrants from across the globe, however, as the assessment is points based finding employment in Canada requires planning. You should obtain as much information as possible before you apply to immigrate. There is no guarantee that you will be able to work in your preferred occupation.
There are three main categories for skilled workers wishing to obtain permanent residence in Canada and we have outlined different requirements below:
Federal Skilled Worker
In order to apply for a federal skilled visa you must be able to satisfy the following requirements:
- meet English language requirement
- have a valid offer of employment, or
- have a year of continuous full time paid work experience in the last one of the listed occupations and appear on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list.
If your occupation appears on the Canadian Priority Occupation List (POL), you will be eligible for skilled migration to Canada without the requirement of having a job offer from a Canadian employer and will have the potential to arrive within months of beginning the application process. However, you will still need to pass the Canadian skilled migration points test.
In addition, you will have to show that you have sufficient funds to support y, and your family if applicable, once you arrive in Canada. You will also have to pass a medical exam to show that you will not be a danger to Canadian public health or a drain on Canadian social services as well as provide acceptable police clearance certificates.
Provincial Nominee Program
Canada encourages applications for permanent residence from people with abilities, education and work experience that will contribute to the Canadian economy. The Provincial Nominee Program allows provincial governments to choose immigrants according to the economic needs of the province.
Each province establishes its own standards and processes by which it chooses its nominees and nominates those candidates who would be most likely to settle effectively into the economic and social life of the region.
The following Canadian provinces do participate in the Provincial Nominee Program:
- Alberta;
- British Columbia;
- Manitoba;
- New Brunswick;
- Newfoundland;
- Nova Scotia;
- Prince Edward Island;
- Quebec;
- Saskatchewan;
Please note that the province of Ontario currently does not participate in the Provincial Nominee Program.
Quebec Skilled Worker Visa
Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec. If you want to come to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must first apply to the Quebec government for a certificate of selection (Certificat de sélection du Québec).
