Do you have an aptitude for selling and a passion for beautiful properties? If so, you should consider working as a real estate agent. However, if you’ve worked in the real estate sector before and you’re interested in moving a step higher, you might want to relocate to Canada as a real estate agent.
Well over 90% of real estate brokers operate in the rental and leasing industry, ranging from 200 to 50,000 agents working across Canada’s provinces and territories. If you want to introduce your sales expertise to Canada, then you should make a way to relocate to Canada as a real estate agent.
In this article, we’ll explain what a real estate agent does. As well as the immigration process to relocate to Canada as a real estate agent. Let’s get started!
What Does A Real Estate Agent Do?
As a real estate agent, you’ll work with clients to help them buy, sell, or lease real estate. The job roles and duties of a real estate agent include interacting with clients and acting as an intermediary for buyers and sellers. They may also perform administrative, research, and marketing tasks.
Below, we have compiled some of the general duties of a real estate agent. Read on!
Administrative Duties
- Answer phone calls and attend to emails.
- Schedule appointments and showings.
- Regularly update property listings.
- Draft and deliver documents to clients.
- As well as ordering supplies.
Research Duties
- They may perform real estate market analysis.
- And also stay current with real estate markets, trends, and best practices.
- Search open listings to find relevant properties.
Marketing Duties
- They are in charge of creating and distributing promotional materials.
- Manage online and social media presence.
- Furthermore, they network with potential clients and local businesses.
- Run advertising campaigns.
- In addition, they build a blog or website for the business.
Immigration Options For Real Estate Agents
1. Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker Program
If you want to relocate to Canada as a real estate agent, you may apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program as a highly-skilled worker (FSWP). However, to qualify for this program, you must first complete the pre-qualification requirements. Before you receive your Comprehensive Ranking System Score, you must score a minimum of 67 out of a potential 100 points.
The CRS is a system created by the government and it’s used to rank possible permanent residence candidates based on five key criteria. These criteria include:
- Ability to settle in Canada.
- Age.
- Education.
- Language proficiency.
- Skill and work experience.
After you obtain your CRS score, your Express Entry profile will be submitted into a draw pool just like every other applicant. Those with the highest score on the profile will be sent an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada. Meanwhile, in case your CRS score falls short, you have lots of opportunities to improve your CRS score. And also increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
In Canada, there are 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) through which you can apply for permanent residency. But, five of them have designated real estate brokers as an in-demand vocation. This implies that as an experienced real estate agent with a Canadian job offer, you’ll be able to enter the country through one of the PNPs.
The PNPs are listed below. Scroll down!
- British Columbia PNP (BC PNP).
- Manitoba PNP (MPNP).
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
- Prince Edward Island PNP (PEI PNP).
- Yukon PNP.
3. Start-up Visa Program
In Canada, about 20-40% of real estate brokers are self-employed. As such, if you want to own your business and work alone, you will be able to do so. However, you’ll need to have a broker’s license. Additionally, if you want to establish your realtor firm, you must apply for a Canadian visa under the Start-up Visa Program.
Requirements For A Start-up Visa
To be eligible for a start-up visa, some conditions must be met, such as:
- Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization.
- Hold an active position in your business.
- You must also have at least 10% voting rights.
- Furthermore, you must have over 50% attached to outstanding shares (with the designated organization).
- You must also be residing in Canada.
- In addition, you must have enough settlement money to finance yourself and your family.
- Lastly, meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5.
Canadian Work Permit Options
If you don’t qualify for any of the above programs or you want more temporary employment determine if Canada suits you. You may apply for a temporary work permit in Canada. However, if you have a job offer, you must apply for an employer-specific work permit.
This will allow you to work in Canada for the period stated on your employment offer. You’ll also be limited to working for the particular company that hired you. If you decide to hunt for new employment in Canada, you must apply for a new work permit.
Where To Find Work In Canada As A Real Estate Agent
1. British Columbia
In British Columbia, real estate agents are on the list of in-demand vocations. As well as in the other four Canadian provinces. Therefore, you will earn an average salary of $102,000 annually, working as a real estate agent in British Columbia, Canada. About 20,000 individuals are working as real estate agents in British Columbia, while over 90% of them work renting and leasing.
2. Manitoba
Another province where competent and experienced real estate sales agents are in demand is Manitoba. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, you can earn an average salary of $79,300 per year, working as a real estate agent. Also, about 1,800 individuals work in this field, with renting and leasing accounting for nearly all of them.
3. Prince Edward Island
If you want to live on the seaside, Prince Edward Island might be your ideal location to search for real estate agent jobs in Canada. The average yearly pay for real agents in this province is $98,564. In general, there are plenty of career opportunities throughout the province.