Are you a semi-skilled or low-skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada for better opportunities? Are you having trouble finding the right immigration option for yourself?
Well, Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list to classify different occupations for immigration purposes. The NOC list groups occupations together based on the responsibilities of the position and the nature of the work performed on the job.
Based on the skill level, the NOC lists occupations as:
- Skill Level 0: for management positions such as restaurant manager, mine manager, etc
- Skill Level A: for jobs that require a college degree as doctors, dentists, architects
- Skill Level B: for technical jobs and skilled trades occupations that require a college diploma or job-specific training such as chefs, plumbers, electricians
- Skill Level C: for occupations that only require a high school diploma or job-specific training such as long haul truck drivers, hospitality occupations, etc
- Skill Level D: for labor occupations that only require job-specific skills such as fruit pickers, cleaning staff, oil field workers
Semi-skilled and low-skilled occupations are classified as Skill level C and D on the NOC list. Therefore, if your occupation is a part of this group, then several provincial programs can help you to obtain permanent residence.
Canada offers a thriving economy with fair employment and wage conditions that can help you build a better future for you and your family.
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What are the Options for Immigration Available to Foreign Workers in Occupations Classified as NOC Skill Level C or D?
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) offered by 11 provinces and territories of Canada offer several special immigration streams for foreign workers in these occupations.
These streams facilitate the foreign worker’s transition to permanent residency if they meet the required eligibility criteria. The following PNPs offer immigration streams for temporary foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C or D:
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP):
The OINP offers the In-Demand Occupation under the Employer Job Offer Category. The In-Demand Occupation Stream requires foreign nationals working in-demand occupations to have a valid job offer and 1 year of full-time skilled work experience.
This stream is necessary for foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C or D. You can check the in-demand occupations list to check if your occupation qualifies.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP):
The BC PNP offers the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream (BC PNP) under the Skills Immigration category.
The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled categories are for foreign workers in tourism or hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking jobs with relevant work experience and have valid job offers.
However, if you are planning to settle in the Northeast Development Region of the province, then any occupation classified as NOC Skill level C or D will make you eligible for this category.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP):
The SINP offers the Saskatchewan Experience Category that has the following immigration streams for foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C or D:
- Health Professionals
- Hospitality Sector Project
- Long Haul Truck Driver Project
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP):
There are no specific immigration streams under the MPNP for semi or low-skilled workers. However, if you wish to settle in Morden, Manitoba, you can try for the Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative.
This initiative targets foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C such as welders, carpenters, cooks and plumbers/pipefitters.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP):
The NSNP offers only the Occupation in Demand Stream (NSNP) for foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C.
However, currently, this stream targets foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates) and NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers).
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP):
The NLPNP offers the following immigration streams for foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C:
- Skilled Worker Category (NLPNP)
- International Graduate Category (NLPNP)
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP):
The PEI PNP offers the PEI Critical Worker Stream under the Labour Impact Category for foreign workers in semi or low-skilled occupations.
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP):
The YNP offers the Critical Impact Worker (YNP) for foreign workers who have a valid job offer for an occupation classified as NOC Skill level C or D. The job offer must be from a designated employer based in the province.
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP):
The NTNP offers the Critical Impact Worker (NTNP) under the Northwest Territories Employer Driven Program for foreign workers in occupations classified as NOC Skill level C or D.
What are the Other Options Available to Foreign Workers in Occupations Classified NOC Skill Levels C and D?
Based on where you want to work and settle down in Canada, you can qualify for different immigration streams. If you wish to immigrate to the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, then you could qualify for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP). The AISP is offered as a part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP encourages the economic immigration of foreign workers to the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
The Atlantic provinces include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. The AISP facilitates the economic immigration of semi-skilled workers and high school graduates to fill the labor market gaps in the Atlantic provinces.
You could also apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot that encourages immigration to the rural and northern communities of Canada.
Currently, 11 communities across 5 provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario are participating in the pilot.
If you are working in the agricultural or food-related sector as a semi-skilled worker, you could apply for the Agri-food Immigration Pilot. This is an industry-specific pilot that encourages the immigration of high-skilled and semi-skilled, nonseasonal foreign workers to fill the labor market gap in the agriculture and food-related industry.
