Canada has invited carpenters, plumbers and welders from certain countries, including Nigeria and Pakistan, India & Bangladesh to apply for Canadian visa through a new immigration path in Express Entry.
In a statement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on August 1, the country announced a streamlined immigration pathway for skilled workers with specific expertise in carpentry, plumbing and welding.
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About the New Pathway
The category selection is the third in the new Express Entry process announced in May, which allows Canada to fill specific labour needs, an issue that has been ongoing in many sectors.
Canada’s aging population and lower birth rate has been shrinking its labour force, forcing the country to intensify its efforts to attract large, young and vibrant immigrants by offering immigration-friendly policies.
Last year, the Canadian federal government announced an aggressive plan to take in 500,000 immigrants a year by 2025, with almost 1.5 million new immigrants coming to the country over the next three years.
The country landed 437,120 Permanent Residents in 2022, a nearly eight percent increase from the total number of PRs in 2021, according to IRCC.
For Nigeria, it grew from 15,595 in 2021 to 22,130 in 2022, a 41.9 percent increase.
Eligibility Criteria
You first need to ensure you meet the FSTP’s eligibility criteria or the criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can upload an Express Entry profile onto IRCC’s website where you will receive a CRS score based on the likes of your age, education, language skills, work experience, and Canadian work and study experience. Usually every two weeks, IRCC holds Express Entry draws inviting the candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. IRCC will provide you with a deadline on how much time you have to submit your permanent residence application. IRCC will aim to process your application within six months.
The minimum requirements are:
- have valid job offers of continuous, paid, full-time employment (at least 30 hours a week) from up to two employers in Canada for at least one year OR a certificate of qualification* from a provincial or territorial body;
- provide proof of basic language proficiency from a designated language testing organization, demonstrating that the applicant meets the minimum threshold set by IRCC — Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing;
- have obtained 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) in the skilled trade in the five years before applying; and
- be able to demonstrate the skills and experience and that they have performed the essential duties of the occupation.
Once you are eligible, you can enter the Express Entry pool. Candidate profiles in the Express Entry pool, which also includes Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class candidates, are ranked based on the CRS.
Benefits of Application:
Not only are plumbers in demand in at least 4 of Canada’s 11 provinces and territories but it is also a trade that pays pretty well. Plumbers can earn anywhere from $39,000 to an average of $65,072 per year, however, experienced plumbers can earn up to $97,500 per year. And the best part? The provinces that need plumbers the most offer the highest salaries in the country.
The top provinces where plumbers are in-demand include British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba.
Duration of Application:
The new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, on August 1, said the first trade round for category-based selection will be opened this August.
Throughout the year, the category-based selection rounds will carry on alongside the general invitation rounds, with further details set to be disclosed in the following weeks.
More Information about the New Pathway
“Canada’s Express Entry (EE) system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in critical fields,” IRCC reported.
It said by prioritising the invitation of skilled newcomers with experience in the trades, the country aims to meet the increasing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement.
“These category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, alongside general invitation rounds, and more details will be announced in the coming weeks,” it added.
According to Marc Miller, minister of IRCC, it is absolutely critical to address the shortage of skilled trades workers in our country, and part of the solution is helping the construction sector find and maintain the workers it needs.
“This round of category-based selection recognizes these skilled trades’ workers as essential, and I look forward to welcoming more of these talented individuals to Canada,” he said.
Canada’s Express Entry
There are many different ways for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canada immigration permanent resident visa, according to lawyers at First Immigration Law Firm based in Canada.
They include:
- Express Entry System
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): For people with special abilities, professional experience, or connections to a certain Canadian province.
- Work Permits: For People who have secured a legitimate work offer from Canada. There are two programs that provide work permits in Canada:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TWFP) and
- International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Study in Canada
“The most prominent option is through Express Entry, which is Canada’s main pathway for economic class skilled workers. Your best bet to be eligible under the entry is to meet the requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class,” they said.
Canada’s express entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to provide permanent residence to skilled workers. It’s the country’s main system for managing skilled worker applications for Canadian immigration.
How to Apply?
One of the best places to start when looking for a job in Canada is to start with your location. Do some research about life in your province or territory of choice as well as affordability based on your salary expectation.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can pursue immigration to Canada through the FSTP:
Step 1: See if you meet the FSTP’s eligibility criteria. CanadaVisa has a free eligibility tool.
Step 2: If you meet the eligibility criteria of the FSTP or another Express Entry program, you will need to complete an English and/or French language test officially recognized by IRCC. If you have studied abroad in an eligible program, you may also want to claim the additional CRS points you are eligible for by obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment. More information is available on CanadaVisa’s Express Entry page.
Step 3: Submit your Express Entry profile on IRCC’s website for free.
Step 4: Follow IRCC’s Express Entry draws to see if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Draws tend to take place every two weeks.
Step 5: If you receive an ITA, submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC within the specified deadline. IRCC’s processing standard for permanent residence applications is six months or less for most applicants.
