How to immigrate as an IT specialist: 7 ways

IT professionals have great opportunities in Canada for two reasons: numerous immigration programs and a significant shortage of specialists — there are thousands of job openings.

As a programmer myself, Immigrant.Today is not just a YouTube channel with a popular information website. We're a digital immigration company implementing unique services to help our clients find the best ways to move to Canada.

That's why the IT topic is close to my heart, and I encourage all IT professionals to come to Canada. While websites and services here don't always work perfectly, perhaps with talented people coming from abroad, the IT situation will improve.

According to Canadian news, employers in this field continue to face labor shortages as the tech sector is rapidly growing. Companies are trying to attract specialists from abroad to fill the gap. The Canadian government also recognizes the importance of the tech sector, so there are immigration programs through which IT specialists can find work and obtain permanent residency.

How to Get a Job in Canada

Let's start with the Global Talent Stream program. It's not an immigration program, but a program for employment in Canadian companies. Applications are processed quickly, in just two weeks. However, it's not that simple, as only specialists with unique skills or those in certain professions from a specific list can move through this stream. The list includes IT professions such as information systems managers, computer engineers, programmers, web developers, and so on. If the profession is not on the list, the employer who wants to hire an employee must work with Employment and Social Development Canada. The worker cannot apply themselves; the company does it.

Another option is an intra-company transfer. If you work for an international company in your country that has a Canadian branch, and you're a good specialist, you can ask for a transfer to Canada. This method isn't the most popular, but it definitely works.

There's also a similar approach — getting a remote job with a Canadian company, proving yourself, and convincing the employer to invite you to work in Canada. This option is more common for several reasons.

The main factor is salary. When you start working remotely for a Canadian company, they usually offer a lower salary than if you were in Canada. Another factor is that over time, say a year, you become familiar with the business processes, prove yourself, and management gets used to you. To avoid communication issues across time zones, it might be beneficial for managers to bring you on as an in-office employee. It's also easier to justify relocation costs for someone they've already worked with remotely. I know quite a few people who have gone through this process.

Immigration Programs for Specialists

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Now, let's talk about immigration programs and streams. Canada has over 120 of them, and IT specialists are eligible for almost all programs for skilled workers. There's a program at the federal level, Federal Skilled Worker, and similar programs in almost every Canadian province. There are also programs for specialists with Canadian work experience — for those who have found work and lived in Canada for six months to a year on a work visa. This includes the federal Canadian Experience Class program, and again, similar programs exist in almost all provinces.

Interesting fact: from 2018 to 2020, the Express Entry system issued the most permanent residencies to IT specialists. In 2021, selections were only made through the Canadian Experience Class, but since 2022, draws for federal programs have become regular again. For 2025, Canada has allocated 124,680 spots for Express Entry, which is 6% more than in 2024. We have a client who has scored enough points to qualify. My wife Ivanna, who works as an immigration consultant, is now preparing his documents for permanent residency.

Specialized Immigration Programs

There are also specialized programs and immigration streams that invite only IT specialists. These are provincial programs, and applications are often processed on a priority basis because these specialists are needed in certain areas of Canada. The requirements are generally similar, with the main difference being the list of eligible professions. But I'll say right away, all of them, except one, require you to find a job. Fortunately for you, there's a shortage of good specialists in Canada, so chances of finding work are good.

To hire a foreigner, a company must obtain a document called a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and prove that there's no suitable candidate among Canadian citizens and residents. It's easier for an employer to prove they've found an IT person with unique skills from abroad than someone with a trade profession. So programmers have an advantage in this regard. Although other specialists can find work too, it's more challenging for them.

Let's start with the program in Alberta, note its name — Accelerated Tech Pathway. This is the third way for IT specialists to come to Canada. From the name, you might think that candidates should immigrate faster through this program than others, but don't count on it too much, as there are currently significant delays in processing applications in Canada. To apply, you need to meet the requirements of one of the three federal programs and pre-register in the Express Entry system. You need to score 300 points there and have work experience in one of 23 professions. Alberta continues to actively invite IT specialists in 2025.

The fourth way to immigrate to Canada as an IT specialist is the British Columbia Tech Program. There are more professions here, 29, and more flexible conditions for candidates. The peculiarity of this program is that it's not a separate stream, and you must meet the requirements of other British Columbia programs. Specialists or graduates of Canadian universities can apply for the Tech Program, both with and without an Express Entry profile. If you're not registered in Express Entry, the province has low language requirements, which is a plus. Another advantage is that selections are conducted frequently, about once every two weeks.

Another great option for IT professionals looking to relocate is the Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway. It's divided into two subcategories: one for those with an Express Entry profile, and another for those without. Basic language proficiency is required here as well. The downside of this program is that it only covers a limited number of occupations, just 11. However, the stream was launched in March 2022, and new specialties are gradually being added.

The sixth immigration method is the Quebec Pilot Program. It's designed for specialists in artificial intelligence, information technology, and visual effects. There are several immigration options under this stream. You can study at a Quebec university or college, find work in the province and work for two years, or both requirements are waived if you have a master's or doctoral degree and find a job with a salary of at least $75,000 CAD per year. For the AI field, this isn't a high threshold. The Quebec program has two significant drawbacks. First, only 550 candidates are invited annually, and second, Quebec is a French-speaking province. To apply for permanent residency, you must either know French at an above-average level or sign a commitment to learn it. The list of eligible occupations is also limited.

The seventh and final relocation method is the Newfoundland and Labrador Priority Skills Program. This program has a significant difference from others. You don't need to find a job before applying. Instead, you submit an application first, and if you meet the requirements (which are not very high), employers looking to hire through the program will have access to your resume and may line up to invite you. However, there is a notable drawback. The program has a very small application limit. It was launched in 2023, quickly reached the required number, and periodically closes and opens for applications depending on the demand for specialists.

I'd also like to share the story of Ildar, who worked in Canada's IT sector for a long time. He has experience working for a large company, being self-employed, collaborating with other professionals, and he knows how someone from abroad can get a job in a Canadian company and whether IT specialists need a relevant education. I recorded an interview with Ildar, and I believe every IT professional planning to immigrate to Canada should watch it to understand what to expect in Canada.

Conclusion

What should you do right now if you're an IT specialist with at least intermediate English skills? I recommend studying all the programs I've mentioned in this article. Choose the ones that match your profession and start looking for work in provinces where you can immigrate. If you have a different specialty, or if you've found work in a province whose program doesn't suit you, you can still apply to other skilled worker programs with a job offer, but your application won't be prioritized and you'll be selected along with everyone else.

To search for jobs, you need a Canadian-style resume. You can find examples online or look for information on this website. You can also purchase our training course on job hunting in Canada. In it, an experienced Canadian HR professional and I share information on how to properly create a resume according to Canadian standards, how to search for vacancies, and how to pass interviews. As part of the course, we also share contacts of Canadian employers who have hired foreign specialists.

Most importantly, be patient, because you'll have to send out many resumes, maybe hundreds or even thousands, but it's worth it.

Alex Pavlenko, founder of Immigrant.Today