An important part of the Canadian immigration process is understanding labor shortages, economic fluctuations, and industry expansions. This will help determine which immigration pathways are best suited for you. This initial part of your journey can provide a sense of direction to make decisions easier along the way. Currently, two ways to immigrate to Canada allow for temporary work or permanent residence. Both options have programs dedicated to facilitating the process regulated by federal agreements or professions.
A Necessity for Foreign Labor Must be Present
Immigrating to Canada highly depends on the value of hiring foreign talent to supplement the needs in sectors that need stabilization. Due to the pandemic, it’s important to remember that some restrictions may apply to travel and visa approval times. Priority may be given to applicants who previously held work visas, frontline professionals, and individuals who will join the workforce on a short or long-term basis.
First and foremost, there must be a necessity to hire foreign labor. Service Canada analyzes individual sectors and their level of labor necessity. This is called the LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment). They bring awareness to how hiring a certain quantity of international workers would affect the market in Canada. The government is interested to know what efforts companies have put in to find local workers without success in finding a candidate that meets their requirements and thus deems it necessary to bring in talent from another country.
Temporary Immigration
Some countries exempt from the LMIA due to government agreements or fair-trade commerce are Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Panama, and Chile. Citizens of these countries can immigrate through a temporary exchange program with fewer requirements, allowing them to apply for listed job offers directly. Colombian and Peruvian citizens have the advantage of being considered for technical jobs, which can include construction, electrical work, carpentry, or anything related to technical assistance that can be done with temporary residence. And lastly, there are also Holiday Visas available for many countries. We always recommend checking the official government website for current availability of this program.
Permanent Residency
The path to Permanent Residency has various channels. Because immigration is a federal responsibility, the Canadian government decides how people can enter the country, whether for tourism, education, or work. However, the provinces are responsible for managing their economies. For this reason, two types of programs can lead you to permanent residency: Federal and Provincial.
Individuals who entered initially with a temporary work visa can progress towards permanent residency with one of the following programs:
Federal Program
This program looks for professionals with advanced degrees or post-graduate studies, workers with one year of Canadian work experience, and highly skilled workers in electrical engineering. Applicants can enter through a process called Express Entry. Selected high-ranking individuals are then invited to apply for permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Program
This program evaluates the nominated employees’ skills, education, and experience for a permanent residency application to the federal government. Canada has ten provinces, all of which have pathway programs for international talent. Opportunities available through these programs can fluctuate with seasonal labor demand.
Pilot Programs
These programs are targeted toward caretakers, agriculture workers, and individuals interested in jobs in rural or northern Canada (mining, manufacturing, forestry). These programs supplement necessary jobs within the Canadian economy, though it’s important to note that they are subject to specific requirements for certain fields.
There are Multiple Ways to Begin a Life in Canada – Let us Help You
In summary, you can enter Canada as a temporary worker or be invited to be a permanent resident, both with different pathways conditional on the ability to find a Canadian employer and your professional profile. Though this is all determined by your interests, language skills, and funds, we encourage you first to define your personal needs and goals. The advisors at P & M Analysis and Solutions Services can then provide advice during a scheduled session. Together, we can delve into the details of your journey to Canada.