The Canadian Government encourages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers and professionals from Colombia. Along with other South American nationals, Colombian skilled workers make up a significant proportion of immigrants to Canada, with notable Colombian communities in four provinces.
There are more than 40,000 Colombian immigrants in Ontario, where the capital city of Ottawa and the most populous city in Canada, Toronto, attracts many immigrants, while Quebec is home to around 34,000 Colombian nationals. Note that Quebec has an entry system that is independent of the federal scheme.
Other notable Colombian populations can be found in Alberta and British Columbia, with smaller communities in Manitoba and Nova Scotia. All provinces offer excellent prospects for skilled workers from Colombia to settle with their families.
With a growing economy and a need to fill skilled positions, Colombian’s have a choice of immigration pathways. The most popular are as follows:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)
Each of the above requires applications to go through the Express Entry process which we will explain in brief later.
Eligibility requirements for the above pathways are as follows:
FSWP
Candidates for the FSWP must be able to prove the following:
- To have on a continual basis and full time for more than a year in a skilled position that meets Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOP) level o, A or B.
- Proficiency in either English or French to Canadian Benchmark Level (CBL) 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- A foreign or Canadian educational certificate to a recognized level.
CEC
CEC candidates must be able to meet the following criteria:
- To have worked in Canada in a skilled, professional, or technical role for at least one year in the 36 months prior to applying.
- To be proficient in English or French to CLB level 5 or 7, depending on the job.
FSTP
To be considered for permanent residence via the FTSP candidates must meet the following requirements:
- To have a valid full time and continuous job offer from a Canadian employer for at least one year.
- To prove language skills up to CLB 4 in reading and writing, and CLB 5 in speaking and listening.
- Without a job offer, candidates must have at least 2 years work experience in the relevant skill and be able to demonstrate their ability to a required degree
Each of the above also requires the candidate to intend to live and work in any of the provinces of Canada except Quebec. Those wishing to settle in Quebec must apply via the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
Recognized Skills
As Canada needs certain skilled persons, the following skills as classified under the NOP are eligible:
- Major Group 72: industrial, electrical and construction trades,
- Major Group 73: maintenance and equipment operation trades,
- Major Group 82: supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production,
- Major Group 92: processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators,
- Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks, and
- Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.
Express Entry
Candidates for the above three pathways will be processed by the Express Entry system. This involves the candidate providing a profile of their experience, education, and personal details. The profile is then scored using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). High-scoring candidates are entered into a draw and when they are picked are issued with an Invitation to Apply.
Colombian candidates can then complete the entry forms, and supply required documents for approval. The Canadian Government aims to complete all applications with 6 months.
There are alternative pathways such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and Family Class Sponsorship. The former is run by individual provinces and enables a candidate to gain permanent residence in a specific province, and the latter is for Colombian candidates who already have family in Canada and maybe sponsored by them for entry.