As Canada has emerged from the global pandemic, it has quickly sought to reestablish its strong economy via infrastructure investment. Electricians in Canada make up an integral part of the workforce responsible for building, extending, & maintaining the nation’s public & private infrastructure. Thus, the renewed investment in Canada’s economy has increased opportunities as well as demand for certified electricians in Canada. Well, stick to this guide if you wish to know how you can move to Canada as an electrician. 

So, without digressing much, let us begin!

Can I Work In Canada As An Electrician? 

If you are an electrician seeking work in Canada, there are various pathways for you to immigrate & establish a successful career in the country. Moreover, the nation has a high demand for skilled tradespeople & electricians are no exception. 

With its strong economy & welcoming immigration policies, the nation offers great opportunities for electricians to thrive & build a successful future. Below are the best immigration visa pathways for electricians, the provinces/ regions with the highest demand for electricians & much more. 

Ways To Move To Canada As An Electrician 

There are numerous ways to move to Canada as an electrician. Here are some of them: 

  • Express Entry 

Express Entry is a popular immigration pathway that enables skilled workers to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada. To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements. These include having a minimum of one year of experience as an electrician, a valid employment offer, & English/ French proficiency. 

In addition, you can create an Express Entry profile & enter the pool if you meet these requirements. Applicants are then ranked based on a CRS & those with the highest scores are invited to apply for PR. 

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program 

The FSTP is specifically designed for skilled tradespeople, like electricians, who wish to move to Canada. In order to be eligible for the program, you must have a minimum of two years of full-time minimum language requirements & have a valid employment offer or a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian provincial/ territorial authority. If you meet these requirements/ criteria, you can submit an application for PR under the program. 

  • Canadian Experience Class 

The CEC is another immigration pathway that might be suitable for electricians who have already gained relevant work experience in Canada. 

In order to be eligible for the program, you must have a minimum of one year of skilled experience in Canada as an electrician, meet the language requirements, & plan to live outside Quebec. 

CEC is ideal for electricians working in Canada on a temporary work permit & wishing to transition to permanent residency. 

  • Provincial Nominee Program

PNPs are immigration pathways enabling Canadian territories & provinces to nominate individuals with the skills & experience required in the specific region. Many Canadian provinces have Provincial Nominee Program that target skilled tradespeople, including electricians. 

Every province has its eligibility requirements. Still, you must have a valid employment offer from an employer in that province, meet minimum language requirements, & showcase your intention to settle in that specific province. 

Below are the most suitable immigration streams under PNP:

  • Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream 

Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream is specifically designed for skilled tradespeople, like electricians, with experience in an eligible profession in Ontario. In order to be eligible for the program, you must have an Express Entry profile, meet the stream’s requirements, & obtain a notification of Interest from the OINP. 

  • Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream   

The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream is a popular alternative for people who wish to move to Canada as an electrician. In order to be eligible, applicants must: 

  • Have a job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia 
  • Have a minimum of two years of work experience as an electrician
  • Meet language proficiency requirements 

  • New Brunswick Express Entry Stream 

The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream enables the province to nominate skilled professionals with a profile in the federal Express Entry system. Electricians with a valid profile might be invited to apply for a provincial nomination if they meet the specific criteria/ requirements set by New Brunswick. 

  • Yukon Critical Impact Worker Category Stream 

The Yukon Critical Impact Worker Category Stream is designed for specific individuals working in semi-skilled/ unskilled professions in Yukon for a minimum of six months. While this stream does not particularly target electricians, it can be a viable alternative for those already working in the electrical field in Yukon. 

  • Pilot Programs 

In addition to the primary immigration programs, pilot programs target specific regions/ industries. These programs often provide more flexible requirements & rapid processing times. Two major pilot programs include: 

  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot 

The AIP program is designed to attract skilled workers to the Atlantic provinces in Canada, i.e., Newfoundland & Labrador, PEI, Nova Scotia, & New Brunswick. 

The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program is a part of the AIP. It has been a new Canadian immigration venture since 2017. Through this program, eligible foreign workers with an employment offer from an employer in Atlantic Canada can apply for PR. IRCC aims to process over 80% of applications within six months. 

  • Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot 

The RNIP aims to attract skilled workers to smaller communities in Canada. The program is presently available in several participating communities across the nation. 

Every community has its eligibility requirements. However, you will require a valid employment offer from the employer in one of these communities & meet the program’s other criteria. The program provides a unique opportunity for electricians to settle in smaller, more rural areas in Canada. 

  • Work Permits 

Work permits is another alternative for people seeking to move to Canada as an electrician. Apart from numerous immigration programs, electricians can also consider applying for a work permit to obtain temporary employment in Canada, specifically if they were unsuccessful in their PR applications. 

Different kinds of work permits cater to the varying needs of individuals, the duration of their stay, & where they will work. 

The primary types of work permits include: 

  • Open Work Permit: Enables prospective immigrant workers to work for any employer of their choice in Canada. 
  • Employer-Specific Work Permit: Enables the holder to work for one Canadian employer at a specific time & location. 

Conclusion 

Immigrating to Canada can seem to be a daunting journey. However, with the right immigration program, the journey can become effortless. As discussed above, applicants can apply for any immigration program, fulfill its eligibility criteria & move to Canada as an electrician. So, don’t wait much & begin your dream life in Canada.