Canada is one of the top immigration destinations in the world due to its high quality of life, thriving economy, and abundance of work opportunities. Hundreds of thousands of skilled workers apply to immigrate to Canada each year through various federal and provincial immigration programs.
If you have skills, education, and work experience in demand in Canada, immigrating as an economic skilled worker can be an excellent pathway. This guide explains the key steps and requirements to help you navigate the process.
Check Your Eligibility
Before going further, determine if you’re eligible for one of Canada’s economic immigration programs. The main federal skilled worker program is Express Entry. To qualify for Express Entry, you must:
- Be aged 18-45 years old
- Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the last 10 years
- Meet minimum language requirements in English and/or French
- Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment showing you have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Take an approved language proficiency test and pass the minimum cut-off (e.g. IELTS 6.0)
- Get your foreign qualifications assessed if needed
- Show sufficient settlement funds to support yourself in Canada
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can create an Express Entry profile where you’ll be scored under a Comprehensive Ranking System. The highest-ranked candidates get invited to apply for permanent residence.
Improve Your Ranking Score
Your Express Entry ranking score determines whether you get that coveted Invitation to Apply. The factors considered include:
- Core human capital factors – age, education, official languages proficiency, work experience in Canada and abroad
- Accompanying spouse’s factors – education, language, work experience
- Skill transferability factors – education in Canada, prior work in Canada, having a valid job offer, provincial nomination
Scoring high on the human capital factors is crucial. Some ways to maximize your score include:
- Gaining additional skilled work experience in your field
- Improving your English and/or French skills to achieve higher language test scores
- Obtaining a post-graduate educational credential like a Master’s degree
- Having your foreign credentials and work experience formally assessed
Find Qualifying Work Experience
One of the main criteria for Express Entry is having at least 12 months of skilled work experience in the last 10 years. This means full-time (minimum 30 hours/week) or part-time equivalent experience where:
- You performed skilled duties in an eligible occupation (skill type 0, A, B, or C of the National Occupational Classification)
- The work was remunerated and authorized
- You performed the duties at a skilled level (not an entry-level trainee)
Document your qualifying work experience carefully as you’ll later need to provide references and descriptions of your daily tasks and duties.
Get Your Documents Ready
To submit a complete profile, you’ll need to prepare certain documents including:
- Language proficiency test results
- Educational credential assessments
- Skills assessments if applicable
- Birth certificate
- Passports
- Police certificates
- Digital photos
- Marriage certificates if applicable
Having all your documents ready in advance will help avoid delays.
Create Your Express Entry Profile
Once eligible, you can create your Express Entry profile online. Completing all sections accurately is important to maximize your ranking score.
You’ll be asked for detailed information on your identity, work history, education, skills, contact details, family members, settlements funds, and more. Supporting documents will be required later to prove your claims.
Completing an Express Entry profile is free. Make sure to update your profile if anything changes to maintain an accurate ranking score.
Get Invited to Apply
The highest scoring candidates in the Express Entry pool get issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in regular rounds of draws. As of September 2022, the minimum score has ranged between 616-759.
If you’re issued an ITA, you’ll have 90 days to submit a complete permanent residence application via the online portal. Act promptly as processing times are currently 6 months or more.
Alternatives to Express Entry
If you aren’t eligible for Express Entry or your score is too low, consider other federal and provincial immigration programs:
- Provincial Nominee Programs – Every province has PNP streams where you first apply to the province who then nominates you for PR if selected
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program – For immigrants intending to live in the Atlantic provinces
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot – For applicants willing to settle in rural Canadian communities
- Agri-Food Pilot – For skilled foreign workers in the agri-food industry
- Caregiver Pathways – For foreign nationals who have worked as caregivers in Canada
Hire an Immigration Consultant
Canadian immigration laws are complex. Consider hiring a licensed Canadian immigration consultant to assist with your application. They can help:
- Determine your eligibility for programs
- Improve your ranking score
- Avoid application mistakes
- Navigate documentation requirements
- Communicate with immigration authorities
Make sure to use an authorized representative who is a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
Prepare for Your Move
If approved as a Canadian permanent resident, it’s time to prepare for your move! Recommended steps include:
- Research provinces and cities to settle in
- Secure housing
- Arrange transportation to Canada
- Ship belongings
- Handle financial matters like transferring funds
- Book temporary accommodations
- Arrange health insurance
- Notify your employer and others
With thorough preparation, determination, and patience, your dreams of immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker can turn into reality. Follow the key steps outlined here to help launch your new life in Canada!