Immigration to Canada is administered federally by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) as well as by each of Canada’s provinces who offer specialized programs to expedite immigration by skilled applicants. Immigration requires significant pre-arrival preparation.

Immigrating to Canada permanently is an exciting opportunity and Canada welcomes your technical skills and abilities.  However, there are several things you should consider before you apply to become a permanent resident.

If you would like to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply. You will need to decide which immigration program will work best for you and your family.

Find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category by visiting the appropriate sections of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at the links below:

• Skilled workers and professionals
  For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec)
• Quebec-selected skilled workers
  For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec
• Candian Experience Class
  For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada
• Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people
  For people who want to start a business in Canada
• Provincial nominees
  One of Canada’s provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there
• Sponsoring your family
  How to sponsor a family member to join you here if you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen

Settlement Agencies provide settlement services to newcomers to Canada. These services are intended to help you adjust to your new life in Canada. Settlement agencies are sometimes called immigrant-serving agencies, refugee-serving agencies, or newcomer services. Settlement services are for newcomers to Canada. Settlement agencies provide services and programs to help newcomers:

• Learn language skills
• Search for jobs
• Start businesses
• Explore new careers
• Find educational opportunities
• Get documents translated
• Access information about community services, schools, healthcare
• Make new friends and feel more at home

Most programs are free of charge and often services are available in different languages. Sometimes settlement and language programs are offered by organizations such as libraries, schools, colleges and universities.

Settlement Assistance for Technicians and Technologists

In addition to the services listed above, many settlement agencies will offer services tailored specifically to assisting newcomers with technology skills.

Services offered include:

• Helping understand licensure requirements
• Introductions to employers and employer networks
• Helping identify transferable skills
• Assistance with technical resume preparation
• Access to programs to help get Canadian work experience
• Mentoring programs

For more information on settlement organizations throughout Canada click on the link below:
http://www.servicesfornewcomers.cic.gc.ca/index.php