Immigrating to Canada as a Software Engineer can be a win-win situation for the aspirants since Canada’s technological sector is booming. The country never fails to welcome talented and skilled immigrants wholeheartedly. It is a cherry on top if they belong to the technological world and look forward to Canadian immigration.

In addition, Canada consists of several tech companies and is consistently in need of skilled workers, such as Software Engineers, to fill the vacant job positions. The tech industry is flourishing, with Toronto and Vancouver being the most prominent tech hubs. This has led to an increased demand for skilled workers in the IT industry. The Canadian government understands the significance of IT professionals in Canada and, therefore, has established a convenient route for Software Engineers to immigrate to the country through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

If you are a Software Engineer looking forward to establishing a career path in Canada, you must go ahead with this blog.

Let’s first fully comprehend the Canadian immigration system before you choose to move to Canada as a Software Engineer.

Immigrating to Canada as a Software Engineer – Understanding the Canadian immigration system

Canada is home to a plethora of immigration pathways and programs most appropriate for skilled professionals. These include the FSWP, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Individuals can also navigate through the Provincial Nominee Programs that are specifically designed for different provinces in Canada. Moreover, tech professionals have the option of applying for Canadian immigration by securing a work permit in Canada.

Navigating the most popular pathway for Software Engineers – Express Entry

The most expedited route to Canadian immigration as a Software Engineer is indeed through Express Entry. This digital application system handles immigration applications for three chief economic programs: the FSWP, CEC, and the FSTP. Qualifying candidates create an Express Entry profile and enter the Express Entry pool, where they compete with other equally eligible candidates. Each candidate receives a CRS score depending on human capital factors. These factors are as follows:

  • Work experience
  • Education
  • Occupation
  • Age
  • Language skills 

Based on these factors, they get CRS scores, and whoever gets the highest scores has a greater chance of receiving an ITA. The pathway welcomes skilled professionals in great demand in Canada who can apply for an expedited process. There are two primary Express Entry programs most suitable for Software Engineers:

FSWP – The FSWP is specifically designed to evaluate your immigration eligibility. Candidates will need to receive 67 out of 100 points. Here’s a breakdown of the points:

  • Education – Maximum points must be 25.
  • Language skills – 28 points
  • Work experience – 15 points
  • Age – 12 points
  • Employment in Canada – 10 points
  • Adaptability – 10 points

Canadian Experience Class – The CEC program is a great source to expedite one’s Canadian immigration process. This program mainly focuses on individuals who have gained Canadian work experience for at least one year and their aim is to quickly gain Canadian PR.

The eligibility parameters for Software Engineers

As a Software Engineer, you will need to comply with the following eligibility parameters or requirements for moving to Canada:

  • Possess a minimum of one year of skilled work experience for full-time or equivalent part-time within the previous three years.
  • Hold work experience under designated NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job positions.
  • Showcase proven language proficiency with a CLB score of 7 under NOC TEER jobs 0 and 1 or CLB 5 under NOC TEER 2 and 3 jobs. 

Express Entry category-based draws for Software Engineers

The Express Entry category-based draws help professionals from different categories to receive the opportunity to acquire Canadian permanent residency despite a lower CRS score.

The following are the six categories:

  • Healthcare Occupations
  • Trade
  • Agricultural and Agri-food professionals
  • Transportation occupation professionals
  • STEM occupations
  • Candidates possessing stronger French language skills

NOTE: Software Engineers looking forward to applying via the targeted categories must hold at least a considerable work experience of in the past three years.

Provincial Nominee Programs

Those applying via the Express Entry pathway can also apply through the Provincial Nominee Program, which is a crucial part of the Express Entry system seeking foreigners who would become PR holders in a specific province.

PNPs are prominent pathways for those working in the tech industry looking for Canadian immigration. It is a faster immigration process for vital tech occupations.

A majority of provinces in this country, such as British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario offer nominee programs that are particularly for those in certain industries, such as software engineering.

Learning the process of immigrating to Canada as a Software Engineer

The following steps will help Software Engineers to immigrate to Canada:

  • Their first step must be to check and confirm their eligibility by exploring the NOC codes. Knowing the NOC Code will help them understand the necessary requirements as Software Engineers.
  • After confirming all this, they must know their CRS score through the calculator. A higher score will elevate their chances of getting an ITA. A CRS score can be enhanced through Canadian work experience and language skills.
  • Next, the candidates will need to obtain their credentials and documents.

Here’s the list of documents that they must ensure to collect before starting the process:

  • Degree, certificates, and transcripts from colleges or universities demonstrating their educational qualifications. 
  • Reference letters and employer’s experience as proof of work experience. 
  • Obtaining letters from the regulatory bodies to prove their relation with the field of Software Engineers. 
  • Passport or travel documents.
  • Language test outcomes, such as CELPIP, TEF, and IELTS. 
  • A report through the Educational Credential Assessment if they studied abroad. 
  • Work experience evidence. 
  • Certificates, including medical exams and police clearance. 

After gathering these documents, individuals can plan how to make their move to Canada. They can enter the country by creating an Express Entry profile and if they have an employment offer, they can proceed to apply for a work permit. Applying for a work permit will also require them to submit additional documents, such as a job offer or financial assistance.

Overall, the chief cities for Software Engineers include Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa. These cities are best known for their tech sectors contributing significantly to the Canadian economy. There are abundant opportunities for Tech professionals in these Canadian cities.

If you want to proceed with your Canadian immigration process, connect with our immigration experts at NavaImmigration. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected].