Are you looking for ways to move to Canada without a degree? Canada is eager to welcome skilled immigrants, putting a strong emphasis on their work experience. Some immigrants are concerned that they might not be able to move to Canada if they don’t have a degree. While certain programs and jobs in specific categories require a degree, there are alternative pathways for those without one. If you have no formal education and are looking to move to Canada, this article is for you. Here, we will be showing you how you can migrate to Canada even without a degree among other relevant information.
About Move to Canada Without a Degree
Before you start planning to move to Canada without a degree, you must consider your level of work experience, the right immigration pathway for you, whether or not you have a job offer and your skill set. Just like any other country, Canada has various job requirements, but they are uniquely classified under the TEER system, categorizing jobs as high-skilled, intermediate, or low-skilled occupations.
The TEER categories include TEER 1 (e.g., Doctors, Accountants, Lawyers), TEER 2 (e.g., Plumbers, Chefs, Electricians), TEER 3 (e.g., Transporters, Drivers, Roofers), TEER 4 (e.g., Desk Clerks, Bartenders, Receptionists), and TEER 5 (e.g., Cleaners, Fruit Packers, Beverage Servers).
The TEER system further breaks down the requirements from A to D, where A might require a university degree, B a college education, C secondary school education, and D job training only. For instance, in skill level D occupations, on-the-job training is necessary, while in skill level A, a university degree is mandatory. Therefore, the need for a degree depends on the specific profession you choose and your experience in that field.
How to Immigrate to Canada Without a Degree
In 2024, you have several options on how to move to Canada without a degree as an immigrant. Let’s break down these different paths and talk about each one in more detail:
- Express Entry
A popular and straightforward way to move to Canada without a degree is through the Express Entry program. This system enables you to kick off your immigration journey from any part of the world, and in just six months, you could find yourself in Canada. The Express Entry system consists of three major programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The FSWP is designed for skilled workers with a minimum of one year of experience in a skilled occupation. To qualify, you need to meet specific criteria for skilled work experience, language proficiency, and education set by the program. Once you satisfy all the minimum requirements, your application for the Federal Skilled Worker Program undergoes evaluation based on various factors. These factors include your age, education, work experience, possession of a valid job offer, proficiency in English and/or French, and your adaptability to settle in the country. These elements contribute to a 100-point grid system used to determine eligibility, with points assigned based on your performance in each of the six categories. As of now, applicants must score at least 67 points to meet the qualification threshold for the program.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The FSTP is tailored for skilled tradespeople with expertise in specific trades. To be eligible for this program, you need to meet certain requirements. This includes attaining the required language proficiency levels in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for each language ability. Additionally, you must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time work) in the last 5 years in a skilled trade, and this work experience should be paid (volunteer work or unpaid internships won’t be considered). You must also meet the job requirements for the specific skilled trade according to the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification. Furthermore, you should either have a valid job offer for full-time employment lasting at least 1 year or possess a certificate of qualification in the relevant skilled trade issued by either a Canadian federal, territorial, or provincial authority.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC is crafted for individuals who have at least one year of skilled work experience in any field in Canada. To qualify for this pathway, you have to meet certain criteria. This includes reaching the required language proficiency levels for your job, covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. Additionally, you must have a minimum of 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years before applying. It’s important to note that if you are a refugee claimant in Canada, working without authorization, or have gained work experience without temporary resident status in Canada, you are ineligible to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen category, you’ll need to create an online profile, which remains valid for one year. Subsequently, you may receive a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a point-based assessment considering factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, job offer, adaptability, and age. Following this, you enter a pool of candidates, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. Keep in mind that you have 90 days to submit your PR application.
The cost of the Express Entry program is pegged at CAD 2300 for a single applicant and CAD 4500 for couples.
Note that each program comes with its specific requirements, however, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) do not make a degree a prerequisite for immigration. Unlike some other immigration routes, these programs focus more on assessing factors like work experience, language proficiency, and skills relevant to specific trades or Canadian work experience, rather than emphasizing formal education. This makes these pathways accessible to individuals who have valuable hands-on experience and expertise, even if they don’t hold a university degree.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program
Formerly known as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, this is a pathway designed to help skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian institutions become permanent residents in any of the four beautiful Canadian Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. This aids employers in finding suitable candidates for job positions that haven’t been filled locally.
To be eligible for the program, you must secure a job offer from an employer designated by Atlantic Canada. You can qualify if you have either recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada or if you are a skilled worker. Applications can be submitted from outside Canada or while you are a temporary resident in the country.
Here are some key conditions to meet:
– You should have work experience that aligns with the eligibility criteria unless you’re an international graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
– You must meet or surpass the educational requirements.
– You must either meet or exceed the language proficiency requirements.
– You need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any dependents upon arrival in Canada. However, if you are already residing and working in Canada with a valid work permit, you don’t need to provide such proof.
Once these conditions are met, you can start searching for a job with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
- The Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offers a straightforward avenue for immigration to Canada, with each province presenting unique nominee programs featuring different eligibility criteria. Some notable Provincial Nominee Programs include:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
Notably, the BC PNP stands out as the quickest program compared to others due to specific benefits exclusive to it. The processing time is about 2-3 months which is half the time of the Express Entry system. Generally, there are two application routes for the provincial nominee program: the Express Entry process and the Non-Express Entry process.
- The Express Entry Process
If you get nominated by a province or territory through the Express Entry stream, it will be indicated on your nomination certificate. To confirm this information, you can contact the relevant province or territory.
There are two ways to apply:
Firstly, you can directly contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream. If you receive a nomination, you can either create a new Express Entry profile or update your existing one to include this nomination and accept it online.
Alternatively, you can begin the process by creating an Express Entry profile online and indicating your interest in specific provinces or territories. If any of them express interest in your profile, they will send you a “notification of interest” via your account. You can then contact them directly and apply to their Express Entry stream. If nominated, the province or territory will extend the offer through your account, and you can accept it online. Regardless of the approach, it is important to create an Express Entry profile early in the process.
- The Non-Express Entry Process
For the Non-Express Entry process, the application unfolds in two stages:
Firstly, you need to choose the province or territory in Canada where you intend to live and apply to them for a nomination. Your application will be evaluated based on immigration requirements and your genuine intention to reside in that area. After receiving a nomination from a province or territory, the next step is to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for permanent residency. Your application will be assessed according to the regulations governing Canadian immigration.
- The Agri-Food Pilot
This provides an additional pathway to achieve permanent residency in Canada without a degree, specifically addressing labour challenges in the agri-food sector. This program allows skilled workers in various industries and occupations to apply for permanent residency, and it is scheduled to run until May 2025.
To be eligible for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have relevant Canadian work experience in any of the eligible industries and occupations.
- Secure a non-seasonal and full-time job offer from a legitimate Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (excluding Quebec).
- Meet the specified language proficiency and educational requirements.
- Possess adequate funds to settle in Canada as required.
The eligible industries for the Agri-Food pilot program include:
– Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
– Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production (NAICS 1114)
– Animal production, excluding aquaculture
– Cattle ranching and farming (NAICS 1121)
– Hog and pig farming (NAICS 1122)
– Poultry and egg production (NAICS 1123)
– Sheep and goat farming (NAICS 1124)
– Other animal production (NAICS 1129)
Some eligible occupations in these categories for the Agri-Food pilot include:
Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116):
– NOC 63201 – Retail butchers
– NOC 94141 – Industrial butchers
– NOC 95106 – Food processing laborers
Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114):
– NOC 8431 – General farm workers
– NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers
- The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot
These programs offer a route to permanent residence in Canada. To qualify, you need to meet specific criteria and secure a job in one of the designated occupations. Once accepted, you receive an open work permit tailored to the occupation, eliminating the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This permit allows you to acquire the necessary work experience for permanent residency in Canada.
If you have prior experience as a home childcare provider or support worker, your past work may also contribute to your eligibility for permanent residency. However, if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residency as a caregiver, there might still be an opportunity for you to work temporarily in Canada. Note that you do not need a degree to qualify for this program and it takes about 12 months to process.
Conclusion
Canada is on the lookout for highly skilled professionals, and there are quick immigration programs like Express Entry to welcome skilled foreign workers. If you don’t have a degree, don’t worry. Canada also needs people without degrees, especially in industries like construction, hospitality, and retail where there’s a shortage of workers. This means there’s a good chance for those with some skills or experience to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This is how could move to Canada with a degree and be comfortable