How to Work and Immigrating to Canada as a Software Engineer? Salary

Step 2. Choosing Your Immigration Program

You have multiple Canada work visas for software engineers to immigrate to Canada as a software engineer. The most popular among tech professionals is the Express Entry Canada, especially under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Let’s take a look:

• Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This program is for software engineers with strong language skills, education, and professional experience. There is no need for a Canadian job offer.
• Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Needs at least one year of related work experience in Canada.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): For engineers with skills in demand in specific provinces, potentially with lower Express Entry scores.
• Quebec-selected Skilled Workers Program (QSWP): For those aiming to live and work in Quebec.
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP): For engineers with job offers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island.
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): This program is for job seekers with offers of employment in rural or northern communities.

Step 3. Gathering Necessary Documents

To start working in Canada as a software engineer, you must compile your documents early. Having your paperwork ready can save you a lot of time.

• A valid passport
• IELTS or TEF (French) test results
  • The IELTS score for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a minimum of 6.0 in each language ability.
  • For TEF to be equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7, you need to score approximately 207-232 in listening, 310-348 in reading, and 310-348 in speaking and writing.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report. It proves that your foreign education is valid and equivalent to Canadian standards.
• Work experience letters from current and previous employers to verify your work history.
• A Canadian job offer. It must include a job offer letter or contract, A copy of LMIA, and details of your job offer.
• Police certificates to prove you have no criminal record.
• Medical exam from an approved physician.
• Proof of funds like bank statements or letters. For a single individual, you might need around CAD 13,000, approximately CAD 16,000 for a family of two, and CAD 3,000 to CAD 4,000 for each additional family member.

Step 4. Submitting Your Profile

For the software engineer Express Entry in Canada, you must:

1. Review the requirements to determine if you qualify.
   1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
      1. Experience: 1 year in NOC 0, A, or B.
      2. Language: CLB 7 in English/French.
      3. Education: High school or higher, ECA for foreign credentials.
      4. Points: Minimum 67/100.
      5. Funds: Sufficient proof unless exempt.
      6. Admissible: Yes.
   2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
      1. Experience: 12 months in Canada, NOC 0, A, or B.
      2. Language: CLB 7 for NOC 0/A, CLB 5 for NOC B.
      3. Education: Bonus points for Canadian education.
      4. Admissible: Yes.
   3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
      1. Experience: 2 years in specific trades (NOC B).
      2. Language: CLB 5 for speaking/listening, CLB 4 for reading/writing.
      3. Job/Certificate: Required.
      4. Admissible: Yes.
2. Gather the necessary documents mentioned in the previous section.
3. Submit your profile by creating an IRCC secure account, often referred to as a GCKey or sign-in partner account, and completing the Express Entry profile with your details.
4. Your profile will be assessed and given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
5. Once your profile meets the criteria, you’re entered into the Express Entry pool.
6. If your CRS score is above the cut-off for a particular draw, you’ll receive an ITA. Draws typically occur every two weeks, but this can vary.

Steps After Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

To immigrate to Canada as a software engineer, you must do the following upon receiving an ITA:

1. Gather all required documents.
2. Fill out the application for permanent residence in the detail provided in your IRCC account.
3. Pay the Application Processing Fee (CAD 850 per adult, CAD 230 per child), Right of Permanent Residence Fee or RPRF (CAD 515 per adult), etc.
4. Submit Your Application after reviewing it. Remember that you cannot make changes to your application.
5. You may receive a request to give your biometrics (photo and fingerprints). You have up to 30 days to attend and its fee is CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 per family.
6. Some applicants may need to attend an interview with an IRCC officer.
7. IRCC will decide on your application. It typically takes six months for most Express Entry applications.
8. Once approved, you’ll receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and Entry to Canada. You must present the COPR and your passport upon your arrival.

Step 5. Arriving and Settling in Canada

After you receive your ITA and immigrate to Canada as a software engineer, you have 60 days to submit your complete application for permanent residence. This is also the time to start preparing for your life in Canada. However, you must do some professional registration:

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)

It involves registering with a provincial engineering association. Basically, you have to apply, have your education and work experience evaluated, pass a Professional Practice Examination (PPE) on ethics and law, have at least one year of relevant engineering experience in Canada, and know either English or French. Application fees can range from CAD 300 to CAD 500, and the annual membership fee can be around CAD 150 to CAD 800.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You can prove your identity and legal status by gathering documents like a work permit. For immediate processing, you can go to a Service Canada Centre or mail your documents, which will be returned after processing. To avoid delays, fill out and submit your application with all the required documents. There’s no charge for this service. If you apply in person, you’ll get your SIN right away, while mail applications take around 20 days.

Settling in Canada

Banking

• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
• Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
• Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)
• Bank of Montreal (BMO)
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)

Housing

• Realtor.ca
• Zillow.ca
• Kijiji.ca for rentals
• PadMapper.com

Health Insurance

The government in Canada mostly provides health insurance, but private health insurance can be beneficial. Suitable companies are:

• Manulife
• Sun Life Financial
• Blue Cross

Cost of Living

On average, a software engineer might expect a cost of living between CAD 2,500 to CAD 4,000 per month, including housing, food, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.