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Canada not only attracts visitors with its stunning natural landscapes but also serves as an attractive destination for skilled professionals and workers from around the world. The Skilled Worker Immigration Program offers significant opportunities for international workers, with various attractive options provided by both the federal government and provincial governments. Let's explore these programs further in the next article from Second Citizenship!
The Canada Skilled Worker Immigration Program is an initiative by the Government of Canada to attract international workers with skills and experience in fields that are in demand within the country. This program not only provides opportunities for foreign workers but also grants them permanent residency (PR) status. Additionally, it allows them to bring their spouse and dependent children under 22 years old to live and work in Canada.
Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued more than 645,420 work permits to foreign nationals, nearly four times the number issued in the same period in 2021 (163,000 permits). According to Mr. Sean Fraser, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Canada is expected to welcome 465,000 international workers in 2024, with the number rising to 500,000 by 2025. These steps are part of Canada’s efforts to address the severe labor shortages and cope with the country's aging population.
The Federal Skilled Worker Immigration Program, part of the Express Entry system, is an initiative by the Canadian government launched in January 2015. This program aims to attract highly skilled international candidates with the goal of supporting Canada’s economic growth by facilitating their immigration and ability to work in the country.
Express Entry consists of three main streams:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Designed for individuals with professional work experience.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Targeted at those with experience in specific trade occupations.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Designed for individuals who have gained work experience in Canada.
These programs offer opportunities for skilled workers to contribute to Canada's economy and build new lives there.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is designed to attract individuals with specialized skills and work experience in specific fields. This program provides a pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada, contributing to the country’s economic development by filling labor gaps in key sectors.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Below are the key details about the eligibility criteria and conditions for this program:
Target Group for FSWP:
Individuals with professional or managerial work experience.
Individuals with relevant educational qualifications, typically at the bachelor’s degree level or higher.
Individuals who are proficient in English or French.
Individuals who meet other criteria, such as age, adaptability, and previous work experience in Canada (if applicable).
Eligibility Criteria for FSWP:
Language Proficiency: English or French skills must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7.
Work Experience: At least one year of continuous, full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in an occupation listed in the NOC categories TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the last 10 years.
The experience can be full-time or part-time, or a combination of both, as long as it is related to your primary occupation.
Education: A post-secondary diploma or degree.
Financial Capacity: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family when settling in Canada. The required funds are:
1 person: 13,757$
2 people: 12,127$
3 people: 21,055$
4 people: 25,564$
5 peoplei: 28,994$
6 people: 32,700$
7 people: 36,407$
For each additional person: 3,706$
Points Requirements: To qualify, applicants must score a minimum of 67/100 points on the FSWP point grid. Points are allocated as follows:
Education: 25 points
Language Ability: 28 points
Age: 12 points
Work Experience: 15 points
Arranged Employment: 10 points
Adaptability: 10 points
Immigration Fees for FSWP:
Application Fee: 1.040$
Fee for Spouse/Partner: 1.040$
Fee for Dependent Children: 150$
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for individuals with skills in trade and manual occupations. The program focuses on selecting candidates with experience and skills in specific fields to contribute to the Canadian labor market.
Target Group for FSTP:
Individuals with work experience in skilled trades such as electrical work, construction, mechanics, cooking, etc.
Applicants who can demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to work in trades that are recognized by the program.
Applicants with language proficiency in English or French at the required level.
Individuals who meet other criteria such as age, education level, and adaptability.
Eligibility Criteria for FSTP:
Language Proficiency: English or French skills must meet CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing
Work Experience: Applicants need at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade, or equivalent part-time experience. This experience must be gained within the last five years and only counts after the applicant receives their trade certification in the country of residence.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Work experience must fall within the occupation groups specified in the NOCC, including:
Group 72: Transport-related officers and technicians
Group 73: General trades
Group 82: Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and production
Group 83: Natural resources and production-related trades
Group 92: Supervisors in processing, production, and utilities
Group 93: Process operators and central control room operators, aircraft assemblers
Group 6320: Chefs, butchers, bakers
Group 62200: Chefs
Job offer:
A valid job offer for a full-time position for at least 1 year, or
A certificate of qualification in a skilled trade from the relevant provincial, territorial, or federal authority in Canada.
Program participation fees:
Processing fee:
Principal applicant: 825$
Spouse or common-law partner: 825$
Each dependent child: 225$
Permanent residence fee:
Principal applicant: 500$
Spouse or common-law partner: 500$
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is designed for individuals with specialized skills and work experience in specific fields. This is an opportunity for international workers with high qualifications and professional experience to contribute to Canada’s economy.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Eligibility for the program includes:
Individuals with professional or managerial work experience.
Individuals with relevant educational qualifications, typically a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Individuals with strong language proficiency in either English or French.
Individuals who meet other criteria such as age, adaptability, and potentially having Canadian work experience.
Program requirements:
Language:
CLB 7 for occupations under TEER 0 or TEER 1
CLB 5 for occupations under TEER 2 or TEER 3
Work experience:
At least one year of work experience in Canada within the last three years, which can be either full-time or part-time.
Work experience must be in occupations listed under the following TEER groups: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, TEER 3
Program participation fees:
Processing fee:
Principal applicant: 550$
Family members aged 22 and over: 550$
Family members under 22 years old: 150$
Permanent residence fee:
Principal applicant: 490$
Spouse or common-law partner: 490$
Alberta, located in Western Canada, borders British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, and the Northwest Territories to the north. To the south, Alberta shares a border with the U.S. state of Montana.
Alberta Province
Alberta Express Entry is part of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system managed by the province of Alberta. This program allows Alberta to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool and invite them to apply for a provincial nomination. Candidates who are successfully nominated through Alberta Express Entry will receive an invitation to complete the process of becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have an active profile in one of the following three Express Entry programs:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Applicants must be foreign nationals and cannot apply directly to the PNP program.
Application Fee: 500$
Northwest Territories is located in the northern part of Canada and is one of the three territories of the country. It borders Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and is adjacent to the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to the south.
Northwest Territories Express Entry is part of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), designed to provide a fast track for those wishing to become permanent residents of Canada.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have an active profile in the Express Entry system.
Language Requirements:
CLB 6 for NOC 0 and A occupations
CLB 5 for NOC B occupations
Work Experience: At least one year.
Application Fee: Free.
Nova Scotia, located in the northeastern part of North America, is part of Canada's Atlantic region. Nova Scotia is almost entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by other Atlantic provinces such as New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and is adjacent to the U.S. state of Maine across the sea.
Nova Scotia Province
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry is a branch of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system managed by the province of Nova Scotia. This program aims to attract workers with experience in Nova Scotia who have the ability to integrate long-term into the province’s workforce.
Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language Requirements:
CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A occupations
CLB 5 for NOC B occupations
Work Experience: At least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
Application Fee: Free.
Ontario, located in central Canada, borders the province of Manitoba to the west, Quebec to the east, and the United States to the south. Ontario Express Entry is part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system managed by the province of Ontario, aimed at attracting international candidates with skills and experience to work and live in Ontario.
Ontario Express Entry includes three main streams:
Human Capital Priorities Stream: For foreign nationals who cannot apply directly to the PNP program.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: For candidates from the Express Entry pool who are proficient in both English and French.
Skilled Trades Stream: For skilled workers with Express Entry profiles living and working in Ontario in the trades sector.
Eligibility Requirements for the Streams:
Human Capital Priorities Stream:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Meet the required minimum CRS score.
Language: CLB 7.
Work Experience: Must match an eligible category in Express Entry.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: French: CLB 7; English: CLB 6
Work Experience: At least one year in NOC O, A, or B occupations.
Education: Equivalent to a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Skilled Trades Stream:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: CLB 5.
Work Experience: At least one year in the trades sector.
Application Fee: 1.500$.
Prince Edward Island (PEI), located in eastern Canada in the Atlantic region, is situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is surrounded by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the island of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Prince Edward Island Province
The Express Entry stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) targets candidates with skills and work experience that match the labor market needs in PEI.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: Meet the language requirements of Express Entry.
Work Experience: Meet the work experience requirements of Express Entry.
Application Fee: 300$.
Yukon, located in the northwestern part of Canada, borders the US state of Alaska to the west, British Columbia to the south, and the Northwest Territories to the east. Yukon is notable for part of the Rocky Mountains and is home to Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada.
Yukon Express Entry (YEE), launched in 2015, is a program linked to the federal Express Entry system. To be eligible, applicants must have an active profile in the Express Entry system and intend to live and work in Yukon. Those who meet the requirements of YEE may receive a nomination from Yukon.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: Meet the language requirements of Express Entry.
Work Experience: Meet the work experience requirements of Express Entry.
Application Fee: Free.
New Brunswick, located in eastern Canada, is part of the Atlantic region. It borders Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, and is adjacent to the United States via Maine to the west.
New Brunswick Express Entry is one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system managed by the province. This program aims to attract skilled international workers who can make a positive contribution to New Brunswick’s economy.
New Brunswick Province
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: CLB 7.
Education: At least a high school diploma.
Work Experience: At least one year in occupations under NOC 0, A, or B.
Application Fee: 250$
Newfoundland and Labrador, located in the northeastern part of Canada, is the largest and most populous province of the country. It includes the island of Newfoundland and the Labrador region on the North American mainland.
The Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP) targets skilled workers who wish to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have a profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: Meet the requirements of Express Entry.
Education: At least a high school diploma.
Work Experience: At least one year in occupations under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Application Fee: Free.
Saskatchewan is located in the central part of Canada, bordered by the provinces of Alberta to the west, Manitoba to the east, and the Northwest Territories to the north. To the south, Saskatchewan borders the United States.
Saskatchewan Province
Saskatchewan Express Entry is a stream within the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) managed by the province of Saskatchewan. This stream is intended for applicants from the federal Express Entry pool with high-skilled work experience in occupations that are not on the SINP's Excluded Occupation List.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must have an active profile in the Express Entry system.
Language: Meet the language requirements of Express Entry.
Work Experience: At least one year in NOC A, B, or O occupations, excluding those listed on the SINP Excluded Occupation List.
Application Fee: 350$.
The "Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream" is part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) and aims to attract skilled workers whose skills and experience align with the labor market needs in Manitoba.
Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must receive a job offer from the province of Manitoba.
Language: CLB 4 for occupations under NOC C or D.
Work experience: 6 months to 1 year in occupations under NOC 0, A, B, C, or D.
Application fee: $500.
The "British Columbia Skilled Worker" program is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a provincial immigration program for British Columbia, Canada. This program aims to attract skilled workers and professionals whose expertise aligns with the labor market needs of the province.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must receive a job offer from the province of British Columbia.
Language: CLB 4.
Work experience: At least 2 years in the occupation corresponding to the job offer.
Application fee: 1.150$.
The Saskatchewan Job Offer Program
The "Saskatchewan Employment Offer" program is part of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), the provincial immigration program for Saskatchewan, Canada. The goal of the program is to support foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must receive a job offer from the province of Saskatchewan.
Language: CLB 4.
Work experience: At least 1 year in occupations under NOC O, A, or B.
Application fee: 350$.
Quebec is a large province located in the eastern part of Canada, bordering Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, New Brunswick and the U.S. state of Maine to the southeast, Ontario to the west, Canada’s Arctic territories to the north, and the U.S. states of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire to the south..
The Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is a program managed by the province of Quebec, aiming to attract skilled workers with qualifications and work experience that meet the labor market needs of Quebec.
The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
Steps to Participate in the Program:
Create a profile in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form on the Arrima portal.
Wait for selection by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI).
Submit an application for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) after being selected.
Wait for MIFI's decision on your CSQ application.
Submit an application for permanent residence in Canada once you have received your CSQ.
Canada currently uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system to categorize and determine occupations based on education, training, experience, and responsibilities (TEER). This system divides occupations into five main levels:
TEER 0 (Management Occupations): Includes positions like advertising, marketing, and public relations managers, financial managers, etc.
TEER 1 (Occupations Requiring a University Degree): Examples include financial advisors, software engineers, and other professions typically requiring a university degree or equivalent.
TEER 2 (Occupations Requiring a College Diploma or Apprenticeship Training of More Than Two Years): Examples include computer network technicians and web developers, occupations that usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship experience.
TEER 3 (Occupations Requiring College or More Than Six Months of On-the-job Training): Examples include bakers, dental assistants, and dental lab technicians, which usually require short-term training or on-the-job training.
TEER 4 (Occupations Requiring a High School Diploma or a Few Weeks of On-the-job Training): Examples include childcare providers, retail salespersons, and visual merchandisers, typically requiring a high school diploma or short-term training.
TEER 5 (Occupations Requiring Short-term Work and No Formal Education): Examples include landscape maintenance workers, delivery drivers, and home delivery distributors, occupations typically requiring short-term work without formal education.
For a complete list of job types and detailed information about each occupation in the NOC 2021 system, you can visit the official Canadian government website for NOC 2021.
Second Citizenship hopes the information provided in this article has given you a clearer understanding of Canada's skilled worker immigration programs. If you need more detailed advice about the immigration process or have any questions, feel free to contact Quốc Tịch Thứ Hai for the best assistance!
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