Residence permit after one year of work in Canada
Find out the most popular ways to get a permanent residency after you've worked in Canada for a year.
After a certain amount of time working in Canada as a temporary foreign worker, you can apply for permanent residency. Generally, people with Canadian work experience are successful candidates for immigration because more programs are available to them, and they get extra points.
Professionals with education and qualifications (e.g., software developers, engineers, administrative workers, truckers) often choose the federal program for skilled workers. Canadian work experience is not required but greatly increases the chances of immigration.
Candidates with trades occupations (e.g., plumbers, welders) can choose the federal skilled trades program, but only if they have a valid job offer in Canada. No need to work a certain amount of time in the country.
There is also a special program for candidates with work experience in Canada. Skilled professionals who have worked in the country for 1 year can apply, but this program is especially popular with those who have graduated from a Canadian university or college.
All programs have different requirements for occupation, education, language level, and other factors. In addition, each Canadian province has separate immigration programs for those who have worked in the respective region.
Below are the requirements of some popular programs used by candidates with Canadian experience:
| Program | Work experience requirements | Language requirements |
| Federal program for candidates with work experience in Canada | 1 year of work experience in Canada in a skilled occupation | CLB 5 (intermediate) or 7 (upper-intermediate) depending on the profession |
| Federal program for skilled workers | 1 year of work experience in any country in a skilled occupation | CLB 7 |
| Federal program for skilled trades | 2 years of work experience in any country in a trades occupation and a job offer in Canada, there is a list of eligible occupations | CLB 4 (basic) in reading and writing, CLB 5 in speaking and listening |
| Atlantic immigration program | 1 year of work experience in any country and a job offer in one of the Atlantic provinces | CLB 4 or 5 depending on the profession |
| Agri-food immigration pilot | 1 year of work experience in Canada in agriculture | CLB 4 |
| Ontario stream for foreign workers | 2 years of work experience in any country in a skilled occupation and a job offer in Ontario | No requirements |
| Ontario stream for in-demand professions | 9 months of work experience in Ontario, there is a list of eligible occupations | CLB 4 |
| British Columbia stream for skilled workers | 2 years of work experience in any country in a skilled occupation and a job offer in British Columbia | CLB 4 for some professions |
| British Columbia stream for entry-level and semi-skilled workers | 9 months of work experience in British Columbia, there is a list of eligible occupations | CLB 4 |
| Alberta opportunity stream | 1 year of work experience in Alberta, need to work at the time of application | CLB 4, 5, or 7 depending on the profession |
These are not all of the immigration programs that allow candidates with work experience to obtain permanent residency. You can see other programs in different provinces on our website.
After 3 years of living in Canada as a permanent resident, you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
We assist with selecting a suitable immigration program, assessing your chances for permanent residency, and submitting all necessary documents. First of all, you should book an initial consultation to assess your chances and develop an immigration strategy. If immigration through work is the best option for you, then after you find an employer, we will help you apply for a work visa and later apply for permanent residency.
