Immigrate to Canada from India as an IT professional

Sanjay Yadav
[Published 24 Apr, 2024 | 02:59 PM]
About Author - 7 min read
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Want to earn $100k or more as an IT professional in Canada? 

Canada’s Information Technology (IT) sector is growing rapidly in the fields of artificial intelligence, software development, and telecommunications. Therefore, the need for IT professionals with relevant skills and experience has increased, especially in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal - the epicentres for tech innovation. Not just this, Canada has high-paying IT jobs that usually pay over $100,000 annually.

As Canada offers so many immigration pathways to apply for Canada PR from India, which one should you choose?

5 Pathways to Get Canada PR from India for IT Workers

• Express Entry

With quick processing within 6 months, Express Entry is the primary pathway to apply for Canada PR from India. To qualify for this program, check your Canada PR eligibility using a 67-point calculator, which assesses your profile based on factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and more - and assign a score out of 100. You need 67 points to be eligible.

Express Entry was designed to meet the labour gaps and economic goals through skilled foreign workers. Thus, it is the best way for IT professionals in India to live and work as a permanent resident. The program has three streams but as an IT worker, consider applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

The IT sector is evolving, leaving provinces in Canada with great demand for qualified IT workers. If you wish to settle and work in one of them, remember that every province has unique eligibility criteria that you must fulfil to get a nomination. You can explore Express Entry-aligned PNPs or apply directly. Provinces have streams, especially for hiring IT professionals, which consider your skills and work experience.

Some of the most popular PNPs for IT workers include the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) - Human Capital Priorities Stream. Second is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s (BC PNP) Tech Program, under which invitations are issued to those with a valid job offer from a BC employer in one of the 29 eligible tech occupations.

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec runs its separate immigration, offering programs like the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). As a skilled immigrant seeking PR in Quebec, you must know that Quebec’s AI stream targets graduates from a Quebec college or university, and foreign-trained workers. In addition, the information technology (IT) and visual effects stream targets workers who have experience in one of 10 IT occupations. To qualify, you need at least two years of work experience in one of the 10 occupations, completed within the past ten years.

When applying for QSWP, submit a complete application with documents including a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) from the Government of Quebec. 

• Atlantic Immigration Program

Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is one of the best pathways to apply for Canada PR. Under this, you can work in one 1 of 4 Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. These provinces have a high demand for IT professionals, offering high salaries and a thriving career.

If you wish to settle here, all you need is to get a job offer in Canada from India from a Canadian employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.

• Start-up Visa Program

Last but not least, the Start-Up Visa program is perfect for IT professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit. You can apply for permanent residence under this program - but certain conditions have to be met. Your business idea should be innovative and funded by a designated organisation such as an angel investor group, venture capital fund, or business incubator.

Remember that this pathway is not solely for IT workers but for all those with creative innovative tech start-up ideas, which can generate employment for Canadians.

Requirements to Get an IT Job in Canada

Landing a job in the Information Technology sector in Canada is easy - if you meet the education, work experience, and certifications requirements - based on the role and the industry.

• You need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
• You need a master’s degree if you’re applying for leadership roles like IT Project Manager or similar.
• Work experience of a minimum of 6 months (full-time & continuous) in Canada or abroad (within the past 3 years) in one of the 24 NOCs targeted for the STEM Occupations Category.
• You must have success in project managing, leading teams, and implementing complex systems.

Cybersecurity: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Network: Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cloud Architect: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry, category-based selection draws to invite those with skills and work experience for occupations under the National Occupation Classification (NOC).

IRCC created six categories, which targeted candidates with work experience in healthcare, trade, transport, agriculture and agri-food, including STEM occupations. These categories reflect labour needs throughout Canada. That’s why, IRCC has decided to continue with current Express Entry categories throughout 2024.

Applying for Canada PR through Express Entry is getting extremely competitive. Thus, careful planning and strategising are necessary to boost your chances. With the guidance of the best immigration consultants in Delhi, you can get the best solutions to make a well-informed decision.

Call us@ +91 92 92 92 92 81 or email us at info@nationwidevisas.com

Start your process today!

Read more: Best Provincial Nominee Programs to Get PR by Investment