Do you want to immigrate to Canada as a software engineer but are not sure how to go about it? If so, this article is for you! Canada is a great country that welcomes software engineers with its strong economy, diverse culture, and numerous opportunities. With the thriving tech industry, Canada is constantly looking for skilled professionals to join their workforce.
In the previous years, Canada has experienced a surge in the demand for tech professionals, due to the latest developments in technology and increased globalization. As such, the increasing demand of the tech industry attracted a large number of tech, opening doors of opportunities. Now, you can immigrate to Canada as a software engineer with less stress due to the high demand.
Within the last 3 years, over 32,000 tech professionals including software engineers, immigrated to Canada. Meanwhile, the numbers may continue to increase in the next few years. In this article, we will be discussing the required steps you need to immigrate to Canada as a software engineer.
Also, we’ll list the top cities in Canada to get tech jobs and the reason you should immigrate to Canada as a software engineer. So, let’s get started!
Easy Steps To Immigrate To Canada As A Software Engineer
Every year, Canada often offers about 50,000 work permits to foreign workers. Meanwhile, they are usually temporary work permits and it allows professionals from all across the world to work in Canada for a certain time. In a situation where the employer offers a permanent job to an individual with a temporary work permit, then you’re eligible to apply for PR through the skilled worker stream.
Now that you know the possible ways to immigrate to Canada as a tech professional, below is a step-by-step guide on the immigration process for software engineers. Scroll down!
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility As A Software Engineer
The first step if you want to immigrate to Canada as a software engineer is to check your eligibility. Additionally, the NOC TEER Code for software engineers is 21231. It will help you determine if you meet the basic skilled worker requirements or not. So, check the IRCC website to confirm.
Secondly, you will need to check your Comprehensive Ranking Score using the CRS Score Calculator. If you have an increase in your CRS score, you will gain a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Moreover, you can improve your CRS score through the following: a higher education, English language proficiency, or gaining Canadian work experience.
Step 2: Obtain Your Credentials And Documents
You must ensure that all the relevant documents showing your education and work experience are set before you apply for immigration. Listed below are the documents you may need for your application.
- Your degree, certifications, and transcripts from college and/or university show your qualifications.
- Reference letters and experience from your employer as proof that you’ve worked with them.
- Letters from professional or regulatory bodies in your home country that show your association with your industry.
- Your passport or travel documents.
- English and/or French language proficiency test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF).
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report if you have studied outside of Canada.
- Proof of work experience.
- Medical examination and police clearance certificates.
Step 3: Plan Your Entry
Once all your documents are ready, you can proceed with your immigration plan into Canada. You can create your Express Entry profile, or if you have a job offer, you can also apply for a work permit. Therefore, if you want to apply for a work permit, you will need additional documents, including a job offer letter and proof of financial support. You can also apply for immigration through Tech PNP and targeted Express Entry.
Step 4: Receiving An Invitation And Applying For Permanent Residence (PR)
The last step is for you to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Given that several immigration programs allow you to apply for a Canada PR as a software engineer, it’s critical to know the requirements of each application process so you can get the desired outcome.
Top Cities In Canada To Secure Tech Jobs
The tech industry in Canada is primarily centralized in some major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa. These cities are widely known for their tech-forward economies and the presence of firms ranging from dynamic start-ups to established tech giants. In addition, the tech job market in these cities is extremely vibrant and affords software engineers the opportunity of a wide array of benefits.
Why Immigrate To Canada As A Software Engineer?
There are several benefits available for you when you immigrate to Canada as a software engineer. Below we have compiled some of them. Read on!
1. Strong Job Market
With the thriving technology sector in Canada, there are lots of employment opportunities for software engineers. The country is also welcoming to lots of technology companies, including Shopify, Hootsuite, and BlackBerry. Meanwhile, these companies are always on the lookout for skilled software engineers.
2. High Quality Of Life
Over the years, Canada has continuously ranked high among the top countries in the world for quality of life. In addition, the country has a strong public healthcare system, excellent education, and a diverse culture.
3. Generous Immigration Policies
Canada is one of the most generous countries in terms of its immigration policies in the world. There are numerous pathways for skilled workers to apply for Canada Permanent Residence. Also, the country provides a great number of immigration programs specifically designed for software engineers, like the Global Talent Stream.
4. Competitive Salary
The salary of Software engineers in Canada is highly competitive, with the average salary of a software engineer in Canada being $132,600 per year. While entry-level positions start from $93,600 per year.
5. Opportunities For Growth
Canada is home to many top universities and research institutions that offer high-quality education. They also provide opportunities for software engineers to continue their education and advance their careers.
Conclusion
In the end, the road to immigrating to Canada as a software engineer relies heavily on preparation. It’s very important to conduct comprehensive research and gather all necessary documents. We hope this article has provided you with helpful information on how to get started.
Good luck with your immigration journey!