Canada is favored over other nations due to its welcoming nature, numerous pathways, and unmatched work opportunities. Individuals from across the world from different sectors, including IT professionals, are preferred by Canada to strengthen its industries. Considering the importance of the IT sector in Canada, this guide is specifically created for IT professionals to help them easily find their immigration options to Canada. So, discover the major work permits in Canada for IT experts to facilitate their immigration.

Canada’s IT sector and demand for tech professionals

Canada’s developmental and economic progress significantly depends on its technology sector. Thus, we can not overlook the importance of the IT sector in Canada as it strongly helps in the growth and advancement of the nation.

The tech sector in Canada plays a critical role in its capacity to foster innovation, drive future growth, and evolve as a nation. For these reasons, Canada heavily depends on and welcomes tech talent from across the globe. 

There is a high demand for IT experts in Canada, which can be seen in various ways. For instance, Canada has included the STEM category in its newly introduced category-based selection draws under the Express Entry.

It’s clear that Canada needs skilled workers in occupations related to STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These professionals can help Canada address its market demands in the IT sector as well as support its economy.  

So, the following section will cover the major work permits in Canada for IT experts, enabling them to immigrate to the country quickly.

Work Permits in Canada for IT Experts

Canada offers various work permit options for individuals skilled in IT occupations to meet its country-wide demand for tech workers. 

The major and most popular work permits in Canada for IT experts are:

  • The Global Talent Stream (GTS);
  • The CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) Professionals; and
  • The Intra-Company Transfers (ICT).

Let’s discuss each one by one to help you better understand the pathways and make the right choice.

Global Talent Stream (GTS)

GTS, or the Global Talent Stream of Canada, is a notable immigration pathway established to help employers in Canada recruit tech experts from overseas.

The employers in Canada, the ones referred to the stream or those recruiting employees for particular job roles, can employ the GTS to expedite the hiring of skilled workers from other countries. Employers can hire workers who are able to support the company in growing and expanding. A GTS allows successful employees to start working in Canada within two weeks after they apply for it. 

This is possible via the rapid processing of temporary resident visas (TRVs) and work permit applications through the Global Talent Stream.

This pathway is especially advantageous for skilled workers from across the globe looking to work in the Canadian IT industry, as there is a growing demand for tech professionals in Canada.

Some of the tech professionals who can qualify for the Global Talent Stream include the following:

  • Software engineers and designers;
  • Computer programmers;
  • Information system analysts; and 
  • Computer/information system managers.

It’s notable that employers who are eligible for the GTS and intend to hire IT experts might qualify for a faster Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing. An LMIA will help verify that the hiring of foreign skilled workers by a Canadian employer will either have a positive or neutral influence on the nation’s job market and not hurt it.

CUSMA Work Permit

The CUSMA or Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement work permit is for professionals of the U.S. and Mexico. The nationals of countries are able to get Canadian work permits without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

With a CUSMA work permit, eligible skilled workers can work in the IT sector in Canada much faster than they would be able to with any other immigration pathway.

There are around 60 professions that are eligible for the CUSMA Professional Work Permit. Notably, many of the eligible professions for work permits under CUSMA lie in the IT sector. Some of these professions are:

  • Computer systems analysts;
  • Graphic designers;
  • Technical publications writers; and
  • Computer engineers.

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)

Among the major work permits in Canada for IT experts, the third pathway is Intra-Company Transfers or ICT. Under the ICT, skilled professionals from overseas can acquire a Canadian work permit without an LMIA.

This is conceivable if the foreign national has worked for a company in another country for at least one year and will be traveling to Canada to work in their company’s branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent company in Canada.

There are three main categories under which a foreign national will be eligible for an Intra-Company Transfer work permit. Among these, one is particularly reserved for individuals who have “specialized and proprietary knowledge of the company or its products.”

This is the category that commonly allows IT experts to qualify for an ICT work permit.

IT professionals willing to work in the Canadian technology industry can check their eligibility for these work permits in Canada for IT Experts. Be sure to learn more about Canadian immigration, work opportunities, and available pathways to make an informed choice. This will help you successfully immigrate to work in the field of your interest. You can contact us for additional details.