Canada’s tech sector is booming and needs labour to sustain its growth; for this reason, the Canadian government offers ample immigration options for tech workers that want to come to Canada.
There are countless nominee programs, each with its own unique eligibility requirements. PNPs let provinces respond to their own unique immigration needs. Generally, PNPs are designed to fill gaps in the labour force, so they will target candidates with experience in high-demand occupations.
We are often asked which Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the easiest to immigrate to for overseas candidates. While many PNPs require a connection to their province – such as a job offer, work experience, or an educational credential – to apply for nomination, there are some programs that invite candidates solely based on their ability to fill labour or demographic gaps.
These are the four provinces that are considered the easiest for overseas applicants to get PR in Canada in 2023:
#1 – Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker
Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry
Located in Canada’s prairie region, the province of Saskatchewan has become a popular destination for immigrants due to its strong economic growth and job opportunities.
The Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams of Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker PNP are designed to recruit workers with experience in the province’s in-demand occupations. These International Skilled Worker streams hand-select candidates using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
To submit an EOI, applicants must have at least one year of experience in an occupation not on SINP’s Excluded Occupations List. Interested candidates must have also completed a post-secondary educational credential of at least one year and speak English or French. Any candidate that meets Saskatchewan’s minimum eligibility criteria, including scoring a minimum of 60 points on their Points Assessment Grid, may submit an EOI profile. Submitted profiles are then considered in one of SINP’s EOI draws. Only candidates with the most competitive SINP score and in-demand occupations are invited in SINP EOI draws.
Candidates eligible for Express Entry can apply under the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream for expedited processing of their permanent residence application. However, the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream is also available to those that don’t qualify to submit an Express Entry profile.
#2 – Alberta’s Express Entry Stream
Canada’s western province of Alberta is home to some of Canada’s thriving cities, such as Calgary and Edmonton. With a growing job market and great education system, Alberta is a noteworthy province for prospective newcomers.
The Alberta Express Entry stream selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for provincial nomination. One major benefit of this stream is that they consider Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300, which means more candidates in the pool will have a chance at receiving a Notification of Interest from the province.
It is worth noting that a CRS score above 300 does not guarantee an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program releases the CRS score of the lowest-ranking candidate from each round of invitations but does not release the additional targeted criteria. The following factors may increase a candidate’s chances:
A qualifying relative that is a permanent resident or citizen living in Alberta;
A job offer or work experience in Alberta; and
A completed credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution
Alberta’s Express Entry stream operates through the federal Express Entry system. That means that receiving a provincial nomination will increase an applicant’s CRS score by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR in the next Express Entry draw.
Due to Alberta’s low CRS requirement, they are often considered one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada.
#3 – Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream
Ontario is Canada’s most popular destination for immigrants with many newcomers drawn to the bustling city of Toronto and its growing tech-jobs sector. As such, the province has a large quota for helping newcomers immigrate through PNP streams.
Despite having one of the highest quotas among all provinces, Ontario wants to recruit even more newcomers. Ontario’s Labour Minister Monte McNaughton recently requested to double the number of immigrants allowed under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) from 9,000 to 18,000 to help tackle the province’s labour shortage.
For those living outside of Canada, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream is a great option. This stream prioritizes skilled workers who will be able to fill skilled employment positions in the province.
The Human Capital Priorities also operates through the federal Express Entry system. Prospective candidates must have an active Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 400 points or higher. Ontario scans through all Express Entry profiles and invites certain profiles to apply to the PNP, typically inviting candidates based on a group of NOC codes and a certain CRS range.
In 2021, Ontario nominated a total of 3,513 candidates under their Human Capital Priorities stream. Of these nominees, about half were invited under OINP’s targeted tech draw.
Ontario also offers a PNP stream for French-Speaking Skilled Workers who have profiles in the Express Entry pool. If you have intermediate to advanced proficiency in French, this program may be a great option for you!
Due to Ontario’s high immigration quotas, the province holds frequent draws, making it one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada for qualifying candidates.
#4 – Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream
The province of Nova Scotia is located on Canada’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The province’s proximity to the ocean, low cost of living, and laid-back lifestyle make it a dream destination for many prospective newcomers.
Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities also selects candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. Since this stream often invites profiles without a connection to the province, it is considered one of the easiest PNPs for overseas applicants to obtain PR.
Nova Scotia does not publish the occupations or criteria that they will be targeting ahead of their intake rounds, but regularly invite candidates with no connections to the province. Prospective nominees must have an active Express Entry profile and indicate their interest in Nova Scotia.
Candidates that receive an invitation from Nova Scotia may apply for the chance to secure a provincial nomination. As the stream also operates through the Express Entry system, successful nominees receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a federal Express Entry draw.
Which PNP is Right for You?
With more than 80 PNPs to choose from, we know that it can be difficult to narrow down which immigration program may be best for you. Since the easiest province to get PR in Canada will typically depend on your own unique profile, it can be hard to know where to start. If you would like to learn more about Canada’s PNPs or other ways to immigrate to Canada, don’t hesitateExpress Entry
Express Entry is a popular option for tech workers that want to settle permanently in Canada. Canada’s Express Entry system is responsible for welcoming about 110,000 newcomers each year.
Canada operates three main economic programs through the Express Entry system: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST). The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is ideal for tech workers with no previous work experience in Canada.
The Express Entry system requires submitting an online profile that is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates with CRS scores above the cut-off are invited to apply for permanent residence.
While the Express Entry system does not currently consider occupation when determining a candidate’s CRS score, the immigration minister recently hinted at moving toward occupation-based Express Entry draws. This would allow the federal government to select candidates based on specific labour market needs. Since there is a high demand for many tech occupations, this would be good news for tech professionals in the Express Entry pool.
In the meantime, provinces continue to invite tech workers directly from the Express Entry pool through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Provincial Nominee Programs for Tech Workers
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) have become an increasingly popular way for tech workers to immigrate to Canada. Many Canadian provinces offer nominee programs specific to those with experience in the tech industry. Some programs even invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool to apply for nomination.
Here are three popular PNPs for tech workers overseas that want to settle permanently in Canada:
1. Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream is a great immigration option for overseas tech workers that don’t have a Canadian job offer. The stream regularly holds targeted tech draws, where they invite tech workers directly from the Express Entry pool.
The challenge of this stream is that tech workers can’t apply without first being invited by the province. In each tech draw, Ontario selects a targeted CRS range to determine which candidates will receive a Notification of Interest (NOI). Those who receive an NOI may apply for nomination within 45 days of receiving the notification.
Targeted tech occupations include:
Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231)
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 21230)
Computer engineers (NOC 21311)
Web designers and developers (NOC 21233)
Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012)
2. British Columbia PNP Tech
British Columbia’s PNP Tech program provides expedited application processing for candidates with a BC job offer in one of 27 prioritized tech occupations. To qualify, tech workers must be eligible under one of BC’s Skills Immigration streams. The benefit of this program is that it doesn’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Instead, the province of BC may issue a “letter of support” to successful nominees, which can be used to apply for a Canadian work permit. BC’s prioritized tech occupations include,
Telecommunication carriers managers (NOC 10030)
Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012)
Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100)
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries (NOC 21210)
Data scientists (NOC 21211)
Cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220)
Business systems specialists (NOC 21221)
Information systems specialists (NOC 21222)
Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230)
Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231)
Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232)
Web designers (NOC 21233)
Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
Civil engineers (NOC 21300)
Mechanical engineers (NOC 21301)
Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 21310)
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 21311)
Chemical engineers (NOC 21320)
Other professional engineers (NOC 21399)
Biological technologists and technicians (NOC 22110)
Computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220)
User support technicians (NOC 22221)
Information systems testing technicians (NOC 22222)
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22310)
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics (NOC 22312)
Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (NOC 50011)
Authors and writers (except technical) (NOC 51111)
Technical writers (NOCC 51112)
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120)
Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (NOC 52119)
Broadcast technicians (NOC 52112)
Audio and video recording technicians (NOC 52113)
Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120)
Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
3. Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway (NOC 53111)
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) offers an accelerated pathway to permanent residence for certain tech professionals with Alberta job offers. To be eligible under this program, candidates must have a job offer in one of 37 tech occupations, or with an employer in one of Alberta’s identified tech sectors.
This program operates through Alberta’s Express Entry stream. That means that candidates must be eligible for AINP’s Express Entry stream to apply under this pathway.
Like BC, Alberta’s Accelerated Tech Pathway offers letters of support to successful nominees that can be used to apply for a work permit in lieu of the lengthy LMIA process. Eligible tech occupations include:
Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services (NOC 00012)
Human resources managers (NOC 10011)
Advertising, marketing and public relations manager (NOC 10022)
Telecommunication carriers manager (NOC 10030)
Human resources professionals (NOC 11200)
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (NOC 11202)
Human resources and recruitment officers (NOC 12101)
Engineering managers (NOC 20010)
Architecture and science managers (NOC 20011)
Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012)
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries (NOC 21210)
Data scientists (NOC 21211)
Cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220)
Business system specialists (NOC 21221)
Information systems specialists (NOC 21222)
Web designers (NOC 21233)
Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231)
Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230)
Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232)
Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
Civil engineers (NOC 21300)
Mechanical engineers (NOC 21301)
Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 21310)
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 21311)
Biological technologists and technicians (NOC 22110)
Drafting technologists and technicians (NOC 22212)
Computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220)
User support technicians (NOC 22221)
Information systems testing technicians (NOC 22222)
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22301)
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians (NOC 22302)
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22310)
Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
Other medical technologists and technicians (NOC 32129)
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101)
Business development officers and market researchers and analysts (NOC 41402)
Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (NOC 50011)
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120)
Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120)
Corporate sales managers (NOC 60010)
Electricians (except industrial and power system) (NOC 72200)
Industrial electricians (NOC 72201)
Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians (NOC 72205)
What are Your Employment Prospects Like?
Demand for tech workers in Canada is higher now than ever. With a growing demand for tech professionals, more and more Canadian tech employers are looking to immigrants to fill labour market gaps. In past years, over one-third of jobs in Canada’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector were held by immigrants.
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