Canada Semi-Skilled Worker

Immigration Canada
| Last Updated: May 10, 2022

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Immigrate to Canada as a Semi-Skilled Worker (NOC C, D)

Are you a semi-skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada?

As a semi-skilled worker (NOC level C) or an unskilled worker (NOC level D), your pathway to live and work in Canada will likely be as a provincial nominee:

The most likely route is through one of the following provinces’ PNPs, since they comprise much of the economic activity in Canada and are where you’re most likely to find work as a semi or unskilled worker. As well, they are where you are more likely to find established immigrant communities that can be invaluable in helping you settle in Canada.

Pick your province (region):

Ontario Semi-Skilled Worker Provincial Nominee Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream which includes various NOC C and D eligible occupations. It is for foreign workers in Ontario and abroad who can apply online and then – if successful – receive a provincial nomination and apply for permanent residence.

 

Who is eligible for the Ontario Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream?

Both you, the applicant, and the job you are being offered in Ontario must meet certain requirements.

The applicant must:

  • Have at least 9 months cumulative, full-time (or the equivalent in part-time) work experience in the same occupation as your job offer in Ontario during the 3 years prior to your application.
  • Have any required licence or other authorization required by your occupation in Ontario.
  • Have an approved language test (IELTS or CELPIP, unless you have a French language test) that shows a CLB level 4 or higher.
  • Have a Canadian or international equivalent of a high school diploma or certificate. If your secondary education is outside Canada, you require an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment).
  • Have the intention of living and working in Ontario after gaining your permanent residency.
  • Have legal status in Canada if you are applying from within Canada (in other words, have a valid temporary resident visa or similar document showing you have legal status in Canada).

The job offer must:

  • Be full-time and permanent:
    • Having a minimum of 1560 hours per year which is equivalent to a minimum of 30 hours per week.
  • Be in one of the following eligible occupations (NOC C or D) for jobs anywhere in Ontario including the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
    • NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
    • NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
    • NOC 7441 – residential and commercial installers and servicers
    • NOC 7511 – transport truck drivers
    • NOC 7521 – heavy equipment operators (except crane)
    • NOC 7611 – construction trades helpers and labourers
    • NOC 8431 – general farm workers
    • NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
    • NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers
    • NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
  • Be in one of the following occupations (NOC C or D) for jobs outside the GTA:
    • NOC 9411 – machine operators, mineral and metal processing
    • NOC 9416 – metalworking and forging machine operators
    • NOC 9417 – machining tool operators
    • NOC 9418 – other metal products machine operators
    • NOC 9421 – chemical plant machine operators
    • NOC 9422 – plastics processing machine operators
    • NOC 9437 – woodworking machine operators
    • NOC 9446 – industrial sewing machine operators
    • NOC 9461 – process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
    • NOC 9523 – electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
    • NOC 9526 – mechanical assemblers and inspectors
    • NOC 9536 – industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
    • NOC 9537 – other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors.

Go here to find your NOC occupation among those listed above and see more detail about your occupation and what duties etc. it involves.

  • Your wage for your offered job must be equal to or more than the median wage for that occupation in the region of Ontario where you will be working.
  • Your work in that job is necessary for your employer’s business.
  • Your work will be based primarily in Ontario.

Your employer must:

  • Have been in business actively for at least 3 years before hiring you;
  • Have business premises in Ontario where you will work;
  • Be in compliance with health and safety standards, rules, regulations, and acts in Ontario and Canada;
  • Demonstrate a true effort was made to employ a Canadian citizen before hiring you;
  • Have a minimum annual gross revenue of CAD$1 million if inside the GTA;
  • Have a minimum annual gross revenue of CAD$500,000 if outside the GTA;
  • Have at least 5 full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents if inside the GTA;
  • Have at least 3 full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents if outside the GTA;
  • Fill out an employer form (go here) which is for approval of your job and your employer must then give the form to you to scan and upload with your application;
  • Be ready to provide documentation in support of their request to hire you – go here for a checklist;
  • Pay the application fee of:
    • CAD$1,500 for jobs located outside the GTA
    • CAD$2,000 for jobs located inside the GTA.

 

How do I apply for the Ontario Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream?

Go here and scroll down three quarters of the webpage until you see the blue button Submit an Application located just below the section on Application Instructions.

  • Click Submit an Application:
  • Choose returning user OR new applicant.
  • Choose Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream.
  • If you are a new applicant, you should pre-register entering your name and date of birth.
  • Log in to your ONe-key account or click Sign up now!
  • You will be sent to the OINP e-Filing Portal where you should create a profile by filling in the required information.
  • Click Finish after you’ve completed your profile to be sent back to the e-Filing Portal’s main page.
  • Click on the file number beside Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream to begin your application.

 

What happens after I apply for the Ontario Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream?

  • You’ll get a confirmation email from OINP.
  • Use your account at the OINP e-Filing Portal to track the status of your application.
  • You can withdraw your application by logging in to your account at the e-Filing Portal and clicking on the Withdraw button next to your file number on the main page.
  • You can update any changes to your personal information at the e-Filing Portal.

 

How do I know when if I’ve been nominated for the Ontario Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream?

  • If nominated, you’ll receive the following in your email:
    • A Nomination Approval Letter
    • A Work Permit Support Letter
    • Nomination Certificate.
  • You will then have 6 months to apply to the IRCC for permanent residence.
    • Please note that a nomination does NOT guarantee your application for permanent residence will be successful (although the odds generally are that it will be).
    • If you need extra time because your application for PR status to the IRCC was returned as incomplete or it is taking a lot of time to get your supporting documents, you can request an extension to your Nomination Certificate.
  • Use your work permit support letter to apply for a work permit enabling you to work while your application for permanent residence is being processed by IRCC.

Quebec Semi Skilled Worker Immigration

To learn more about Quebec immigration options, please visit Immigration Quebec’s website.

British Columbia Semi-Skilled Worker Program

British Columbia’s PNP, BC PNP, has the Skills Immigration (SI) – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category that’s your passport to working in the province.

 

Who is eligible for the BC Skills Immigration Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Category?

You must:

  • Have accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a BC employer. Please note the job must be of indeterminate length (there is no end date to your job).
  • Have that job with a BC employer in one of the following industries in BC:
    • Tourism/hospitality
    • Long-haul trucking
    • Food processing.
  • Have been working for your employer in BC a minimum of 9 consecutive months before applying for your nomination.
  • Meet minimum language and education requirements.
  • Be qualified for the job.
  • Prove you will be able to support yourself and any dependents.
  • Have legal immigration status in Canada.
  • Be earning a wage in line with BC wage rates.
  • Be any NOC C or D occupation only if you will be working in what is called the Northeast Development Region of BC.

Your employer must also meet certain requirements such as having a history of good workplace and business practices, as well as things like complying with any required local labour market recruitment standards. They will also have to sign an employer declaration.

 

How do I apply for the BC Skills Immigration Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Category?

Go to BCPNP Online here to create a profile and register.

  • Your information will be processed by a system called Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
  • After registering through SIRS, you will then be sent a score depending on factors which include the following:
    • Your NOC skill level (C is clearly better than D).
    • Your annual wage offered in your job (wages that are too low are a negative as you will have more trouble supporting yourself in BC where the cost of living can be fairly high, depending on where in the province you will be living and working).
    • The location of your employment. (In general employment in areas other than southern mainland BC around greater Vancouver should usually net you more points.)
    • Your work experience in areas directly related to your job.
    • Your level of education (although educational requirements are often not specified for NOC C and D jobs if you have additional education beyond secondary school that will help your point total).
    • Your English Language Proficiency (You should aim for an IELTS score of at least 4 to 5 in each skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

If your profile matches BC’s occupational needs and has a sufficient points total, you will receive and Invitation to Apply (ITA) similar to what happens with Express Entry.

  • You have 30 calendar days from the date of the ITA to submit an application at BCPNP Online.
  • Although a nomination is never guaranteed for every application, if successful you will then receive a provincial nomination from BCPNP which you then should use to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
  • You will receive a confirmation of nomination and a nomination package from BCPNP explaining the steps to follow to apply for permanent residence.
  • Please submit a complete application for permanent residence to the designated IRCC visa office.

Alberta Semi-Skilled Worker Immigration Program

Unfortunately, as of June 2018, the Alberta Employer-driven Semi-skilled worker stream is closed. If you applied on or before June 13, 2018, go here for information on the stream.

Manitoba

The Manitoba PNP website does not list the occupations that are in high demand in Manitoba. The Manitoba PNP will consider all applicants with Manitoba work experience but reserves the right to determine who is eligible and who is not eligible based on demand. Visit www.mbjobs.ca/‎ to find occupations that are in high demand in Manitoba.

Saskatchewan Semi-Skilled Worker Immigration Program

The Semi-skilled Agricultural Worker with Existing Work Permit is the SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program) stream for semi-skilled workers already living and working in the province on a valid temporary work permit.

If you are not currently living and working in Saskatchewan, you may apply to the Saskatchewan Semi-Skilled Agricultural Worker program provided that:

  • You have proof of having previously worked in Saskatchewan for at least 6 months in one of the following occupations:
    • General Farm Worker
    • Nursery and Greenhouse Worker.

 

Who is eligible for the Saskatchewan Semi-skilled Agricultural Worker with Existing Work Permit stream?

To qualify for the Semi-Skilled Agricultural Worker program in Saskatchewan you must:

  • Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer;
  • Have the job be in either of these occupations:
    • General Farm Worker (NOC 8431 – level C occupation)
    • Nursery and Greenhouse Worker (NOC 8432 level C occupation);
  • Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter;
  • Have worked for more than 6 months for the employer who has offered you the full-time job, on an IRCC valid work permit;
  • The work permit you have been working under has to have been under one of the following programs:
    • Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
    • International Experience Canada, or
    • Temporary Foreign Worker Program;
  • Have completed Secondary School either in Canada or, if abroad, with an ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment);
  • Have a minimum CLB (Canadian Languages Benchmark) score of 4.

 

Who isn’t eligible for the Saskatchewan Semi-skilled Agricultural Worker with Existing Work Permit stream?

The following persons are NOT eligible for this program:

  • Refugee claimants;
  • Graduates on a PGWP (Post-Graduate Work Permit);
  • Those applicants who haven’t provided adequate documentation, where unable to prove they intend to live in Saskatchewan, or those who have misrepresented facts to the SINP may also be ineligible.

 

How do I apply for the Saskatchewan Semi-skilled Agricultural Worker with Existing Work Permit stream?

  • Step 1: Go here to create an online account with SINP.
  • Step 2:  Complete the sections of the online application form.
  • Step 3: Scan and upload in PDF Format all required documents. Keep the originals for your files.
  • Step 4: First save and then submit your completed application which should include all required documentation.

Nova Scotia Semi-Skilled Worker Immigration Program

This maritime province has the following stream for semi-skilled workers: The Occupations in Demand stream run by the province’s immigration agency, Nova Scotia Immigration.

 

Who’s eligible for the Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand stream?

  • Have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the following occupations:
    • Nurse aides, orderlies, & patient services associates (NOC 3413 – a level C occupation)
    • Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511 – a level C occupation);
  • Have at least 1 year of work experience in that occupation for which you have been offered a job;
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have a high school diploma (secondary school);
  • Have the appropriate training, skills, and/or accreditation for your occupation;
  • Have a CLB 4 level of English (or French) through an official language test;
  • Have proof you have sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.

 

How do I apply for the Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand stream?

  1. Step 1: Go here to start your online application. You should estimate around 60 minutes to complete the online form. Go here to download an application guide.
  2. Step 2: Once you have finished the application, print a copy for your personal records.
  3. Step 3: Attach all supporting documents
  4. Step 4: Send the application and wait around 3 months for an answer.

If you have any questions about the application process, send an email to the following address: [email protected].

 

New Brunswick

The New Brunswick PNP website does not list the occupations that there is a shortage of and / or are in high demand. The New Brunswick PNP is specifically geared towards applicants with NB work experience – most people outside of New Brunswick cannot apply – but the government reserves the right to determine who is eligible and who is not eligible, based on demand. Visit www.NBjobs.ca to find occupations that are in high demand in New Brunswick.

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland & Labrador PNP website does no list the occupations that there is a shortage of and / or are in high demand. The Newfoundland PNP will consider all applicants with work experience in the province but reserves the right to determine who is eligible and who is not eligible based on demand. Visit www.jobsinnl.ca to find occupations that are in high demand in Newfoundland & Labrador.

 

Prince Edward Island

Please click on the above link for options to immigrate to PEI.

 

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories nominee program does not list occupations that there is a shortage of and / or in high demand.  The NWT PNP will consider all applicants with work experience in the territory but reserves the right to determine who is eligible and who is not eligible based on demand and other factors. Visit www.iti.gov.nt.ca to find jobs that are in high demand in the Northwest Territories.

 

Nunavut

Nunavut does not currently have its own immigration program.

 

Yukon

The Yukon nominee does not list the occupations that there is a shortage of and / or are in high demand. The YNP will consider any applicant with work experience in Yukon but reserves the right to determine who is eligible and who is not eligible based on demand and other factors. Visit www.employmentyukon.ca to find jobs that are in high demand in Yukon.

 

PNP Draw Points Cut-Offs

Some of the PNP streams for the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba use the same scoring system as Express Entry. Here are the cut-offs for 2021:

 

PNP Invitations

 

British Columbia PNP Points Cut-Offs

British Columbia uses its own scoring system:

 

British Columbia PNP Notifiations

 

BC Entrepreneur PNP Points Cut-Offs

 

BC Entrepreneur PNP Notifications

 

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Points Cut-Offs

Saskatchewan uses its own scoring system:

 

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Notifications

If you would like information about other PNPs not listed here, please let us know by emailing us or posting in our forum.

 

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