How to Move to Canada as a Tech Worker in 2025

Vikrant Gungash
Oct 11
5 min read

By Vikrant Singh, October 11, 2025

If you work in the technology sector, Canada wants you — and it’s never been a better time to consider making the move.

With the United States planning a steep $100,000 USD fee for H-1B visa petitions, Canada is positioning itself as the top alternative for global tech talent. Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans for a “clear offering” to attract highly skilled tech workers affected by the U.S. visa changes.

While details of that new plan are still to come, Canada already offers multiple work permit and permanent residency (PR) pathways designed specifically for tech professionals — many with fast processing times and targeted draws.

Pathways for Tech Professionals to Work and Settle in Canada

Program	Pathway/Stream	Type	Details	Processing Time
Temporary Foreign Worker Program	Global Talent Stream	Work Permit	Faster LMIA processing for in-demand tech jobs	~2 weeks
International Mobility Program	Intra-Company Transfers	Work Permit	LMIA-exempt transfers for executives, senior managers, or specialized workers	2–4 months
International Mobility Program	Innovation Stream	Work Permit	LMIA-exempt work permit for employees of Global Hypergrowth Project companies	~2 weeks
Express Entry	STEM Category	PR	Targeted draws for tech occupations	~6 months
Provincial Nominee Program	Ontario Tech Draw	PR	For candidates with experience in select tech occupations	~7 months
Provincial Nominee Program	Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway	PR	For those working in or offered jobs in Alberta’s tech sector	~7 months
Provincial Nominee Program	Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway	PR	For candidates with job offers in tech occupations	7–18 months

Work permits are usually valid for 1–3 years and can be extended, while permanent residency lets you live and work in Canada indefinitely. Many tech workers first enter Canada on a work permit and later transition to PR.

1. Global Talent Stream – Fast Work Permits for Tech Professionals

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is one of the fastest routes for tech talent. Employers can bring in foreign tech workers in as little as two weeks, compared to the typical 3–4 months for standard LMIA applications.

There are two categories under GTS:

Category A

Job offer from an innovative company referred by a designated partner.
Role requires specialized talent and pays at least $38.46/hour (~$80,000/year) or the prevailing wage, whichever is higher.
Must have advanced industry knowledge and an advanced degree or 5+ years’ specialized experience.

Category B

Job offer is in one of the in-demand tech occupations below.

Eligible Occupations (Category B):

Computer and information systems managers (20012)
Civil engineers (21300)
Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Mining engineers (21330)
Aerospace engineers (21390)
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (21311)
Mathematicians and statisticians (21210)
Data scientists (21211)
Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Business system specialists (21221)
Information systems specialists (21222)
Database analysts and data administrators (21223)
Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
Software engineers and designers (21231)
Software developers and programmers (21232)
Web designers (21233)
Web developers and programmers (21234)
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
Computer network technicians (22220)
Information systems testing technicians (22222)
Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager (51120 subset)
Digital media designers (52120 subset)

2. International Mobility Program – Intra-Company Transfers & Innovation Stream

The International Mobility Program (IMP) offers LMIA-exempt work permits, though eligibility is more specific.

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)

For multinational companies transferring key employees to a Canadian branch. Employees must:

Have worked full-time for at least 1 year in the past 3 years with the company.
Be an executive, senior manager, functional manager, or have specialized knowledge.

Innovation Stream

Tech professionals with job offers from Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) companies can apply for LMIA-exempt work permits. Participating companies include:Ada, AlayaCare, CellCarta, Clarius Mobile Health, Clio, Lightspeed Commerce, Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group, and Vive Crop Protection.

3. Express Entry – STEM Category Draws

Canada’s Express Entry system is a points-based pathway to PR. Tech workers often score highly and may benefit from category-based draws targeting STEM occupations, even with lower CRS scores.

Qualifying STEM Occupations:

Architecture and science managers (20011)
Civil engineering technologists and technicians (22300)
Civil engineers (21300)
Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Geological engineers (21331)
Industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321)
Insurance agents and brokers (63100)
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
Mechanical engineers (21301)

4. Provincial Nominee Programs – Tech-Specific Streams

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Tech Draws

Ontario invites candidates with experience in specific tech occupations through its Human Capital Priorities stream.

Eligible Occupations:

Computer and information systems managers (20012)
Computer engineers (21311)
Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
Data scientists (21211)
Database analysts and data administrators (21223)
Software developers and programmers (21232)
Software engineers and designers (21231)
Web designers (21233)
Web developers and programmers (21234)

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

Candidates with an active Express Entry profile and a qualifying job offer in Alberta’s tech sector may receive a provincial nomination.

Key Eligible Occupations include:

Advertising, marketing and public relations manager (10022)
Architecture and science managers (20011)
Business system specialists (21221)
Civil engineers (21300)
Computer and information systems managers (20012)
Computer engineers (21311)
Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Data scientists (21211)
Database analysts and administrators (21223)
Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Engineering managers (20010)
Human resources managers (10011)
Mechanical engineers (21301)
Software developers and programmers (21232)
Software engineers and designers (21231)
Web designers (21233)
Web developers and programmers (21234)
And many more across engineering, IT, design, and management roles.

Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway

Saskatchewan offers a dedicated PR stream for tech professionals with valid job offers.

Eligible Occupations:

Business system specialists (21221)
Computer and information systems managers (20012)
Computer engineers (21311)
Computer network and web technicians (22220)
Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Data scientists (21211)
Database analysts and data administrators (21223)
Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Information systems specialists (21222)
Information systems testing technicians (22222)
Software developers and programmers (21232)
Software engineers and designers (21231)
User support technicians (22221)
Web designers (21233)
Web developers and programmers (21234)

Why Canada Is the Best Bet for Tech Workers

With multiple pathways, fast-track programs, and targeted immigration draws, Canada is actively competing for global tech talent. Whether you’re a software developer, data scientist, engineer, or cybersecurity specialist, there’s a pathway tailored for you.

Starting with a work permit through the Global Talent Stream or International Mobility Program can get you into Canada quickly. From there, you can transition to permanent residency through Express Entry or a provincial program — and build a long-term future in one of the world’s most tech-friendly countries.

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