How to Immigrate to Canada Without a Degree in 2023

You don't always need a degree to immigrate to Canada. No matter your skill set or work experience, Canada has a wide range of options. Finding the best immigration opportunity for you is the key.

Although 30% of Canadian adults have a college degree, employers are still looking for qualified individuals without one. Therefore, you need to locate the best immigration opportunity. Because there need to be more qualified local workers to fill all the open positions, Canada's job market is under pressure. This is why Canada accepts talented and experienced foreign laborers who want to reside and work there.

In this post, we'll discuss how foreigners without university degrees might apply for immigration to Canada and find employment there. We will also talk about how to get hired by a Canadian company without a degree, the requirements for working in Canada, the top job for those without degrees, and much more. Continue reading to learn more about the many options for moving to Canada without a degree.

Canadian Skill Levels Breakdown

There are more options than you would realize for people without degrees in the various Canadian immigration programs. The three crucial factors while looking for the right immigration program are your skill level, employment experience, and whether or not you have a job offer.

In Canada, high-skilled occupations are typically categorized at NOC TEER levels 0, 1, or 2, and intermediate or low-skilled occupations are usually classified at TEER levels 3, 4, or 5. So, for example, professionals like doctors, lawyers, or accountants go under TEER 1, whereas technical or skilled trade occupations like those of a chef, plumbers, or electricians fall under TEER 2.

Education requirements for occupation skill levels

Let's take a look at the education level that each skill level usually requires:

Top Programs to Immigrate to Canada Without a Degree

Moving to Canada with no qualifications shouldn't seem all that unlikely now that you know your skill level and expected educational requirements. Let's look at the top 6 ways to immigrate to Canada without a degree.

Express Entry

The Express Entry system is designed to make it quick and easy for highly skilled foreigners to immigrate to Canada. There are three main programs in the Express Entry System:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program
• The Canada Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, two of Express Entry's programs, do not require a university degree. However, the Federal Skilled Worker Program does. Each program has its own distinct set of specifications. Moreover, the following factors determine whether you qualify for the Fast Entry system:

Eligibility requirements for the Express Entry:

• Nationality
• Age
• Work experience
• Language Ability
• Education
• Links to Canada

You can earn points by meeting each requirement. The higher your score, the better your chances of application success.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program can be the best option for you if you are a foreign worker who wants to move to Canada and have a legitimate job offer that is good for at least one year. Eleven of Canada's provinces and territories have specific policies and regulations, such as programs for in-demand occupations that let you apply through programs related to Express-Entry, simplifying the application procedure. I want you to know that discovering where your job is needed in Canada is the key to success. Your chances of being given a Provincial Nomination (PN) to apply for Canadian permanent residency increase with the demand!

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot aims to attract foreign workers to one of Canada's Atlantic provinces.

• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia

You must be eligible for one of the following programs to apply to live and work in Atlantic Canada through the AIP:

Atlantic High-Skilled Program

• have a degree, diploma, or other qualification from a publicly funded Atlantic education institution
• have lived in an Atlantic Canadian province for a minimum of 16 months out of the two years before obtaining your post-secondary qualification
• language test (English or French)
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

• have at least one year of work experience in a Skill level 0, A, or B job in the last three years
• at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
• language test (CLB or NCLC Level 4 in English or French)
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members
• Valid full-time non-seasonal job offer of at least one year from an employer in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Home Care Program 

• have at least one year of work experience in a Skill level C or as a registered nurse, licensed nurse, nurse's aide, or home support worker in the last three years
• at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
• language test (CLB or NCLC Level 4 in English or French)
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members
• Valid full-time non-seasonal job offer of at least one year from an employer in Atlantic Canada

Pilots and Temporary Programs

The government often creates pilots and temporary pathways through public policies to address immigration areas in demand.

1. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is your ticket to citizenship without a university degree if you want to move to one of the 11 participating cities and towns in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, or British Columbia. In that case. You must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible:

• Have at least one year of work experience in the last three years
• At least a Canadian high school diploma, post-secondary qualification, or equivalent
• Language test in English or French (CLB/NCLC 6 for levels 0 and A; CLB/NCLC 5 for level B and CLB/NCLC 4 for levels C & D
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members
• Valid full-time non-seasonal job offer from an employer in one of the 11 participating communities

Note: The work experience requirements for this pilot do not apply to international students studying in Canada. However, if your program is shorter than two years, you must provide a certificate from a post-secondary institution that was at least two years in length or a master's degree or higher.

Agri-Food Pilot

The Agri-Food Pilot (AIP), which debuted in May 2020, aims to facilitate the immigration of talented professionals from the agricultural and animal production sectors and the meat processing and manufacturing industries to Canada. You must fulfill the requirements listed below to be eligible:

• Have at least one year of full-time non-seasonal work experience in the last three years in a suitable occupation
• A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
• Language test in English or French (CLB/NCLC 4)
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members
• Valid full-time non-seasonal job offer in an eligible occupation

Home Care Provider Pilots

In Canada, there is a strong demand for home care services. Because of this, the Canadian government has established two distinct Home Care Provider Pilots to aid with the employment and living arrangements of home childcare providers and home support workers. The eligibility prerequisites are:

• Have at least two years of full-time Canadian work experience in the last three years in an eligible occupation or a valid full-time job offer in a suitable occupation
• Relevant post-secondary educational qualification of at least one year
• Language test in English or French (CLB/NCLC 4)
• Sufficient funds to support you and your family members
• Supporting documents showing you are capable of doing the job, i.e., proof of relevant work experience and education credentials

How to Immigrate and Work in the Canadian Government Without a Degree

Here are the steps to immigrate to Canada without a degree:

But first, could you find out if you need a work permit?

Not all jobs in Canada demand a work visa. As well, specific jobs do not require a work permit. However, you can enlist our help finding information on these positions. When you need a work permit, you can obtain one through the International Mobility Program (IMP) or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Prepare an updated resume.

It is a serious problem because many applicants submit resumes that still need to be updated. Your resume is your ticket to an interview. Therefore, it needs to be updated and well-written. When you don't have a degree, your abilities pertinent to the position you are going for would be a crucial element of your CV. Also, make sure you format your resume according to the Canadian format.

You can start scouting for Canadian jobs you'd like to apply for.

It would be best to hunt for employment matching your qualifications and professional background. On the internet, you can search for Canadian job portals. You can also check the official Job bank of Canada. The two most popular ones are Canada Job Bank and Career Builder.

You can start your application today if you like.

The most crucial component is action! Take action and begin submitting your application to immigration in Canada.

Best Jobs in Canada Without a Degree

A university degree or prior experience is frequently necessary for lucrative or successful employment. However, many jobs in Canada don't require you to have a degree or professional experience in that field. Knowing the highest-paying careers available without a degree or experience may help you better understand your work options and enable you to make informed decisions. Canada respects knowledge and expertise. As a result, you can get employment in the following jobs without a university degree.

Miners

Miners are in charge of underground extracting resources, such as ore, rocks, and coal. They also build auxiliary pathways to make it easier for them to enter and depart the mines. Then, they extracted the ore and rocks to their final locations above ground while transporting them. Miners carefully regulate explosives to break large rocks or ore into smaller, easier-to-transport pieces. They also ensure the safety of everyone around them, including their employees. The national average salary of miners is $78,609 per year.

Maintenance Manager

A maintenance manager creates protocols, implements them, inspects facilities, and identifies and resolves issues. They are in charge of planning and overseeing all installations and maintenance associated with construction. Maintenance managers also look after a building's electrical and hydraulic systems. They also keep tabs on connections with contractors and service providers and maintenance budgets, equipment expenses, and budgets. The national average salary of a maintenance manager is $75,003 per year.

Receptionists

Receptionists greet guests entering a structure or establishment and send them to the appropriate area. They ensure the reception space is neat, inviting, and equipped with all the required tools and stationery. In addition, the receptionist provides accurate basic office information over the phone and in in-person interactions. One of the technical skills needed for a receptionist is using and maintaining office equipment like computers and copiers. Moreover, receptionists require excellent time management, the ability to multitask, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service. The national average salary of receptionists is $33,150 per year.

Warehouse Worker

Workers in the warehouse prepare and complete orders for pick-up or delivery. This covers the order's loading, packing, wrapping, labeling, and shipping. Likewise, when unloading, labeling, and storing the products. Inventory controls and maintaining a high audit standard are additional duties for warehouse employees. Other requirements for a warehouse worker include having strong organizational skills, proficiency in and knowledge of warehousing processes and practices, and a current forklift license. The national average salary of a warehouse worker is $32,175 per year.

Executive Chef

Executive chefs are in charge of organizing and managing the cooking process, among other things. They also work on modifying or refining the menus to ensure they are of the highest caliber. Similarly, head chefs prepare for the procurement and repair of kitchen equipment and manage the kitchen staff's activities. Finally, they address any difficulties or complaints regarding meal services while giving their managers an estimate of the cost and quantity of food needed. A degree is optional for the job. The national salary average of an executive chef is $54,915 per year.

FAQs

Furthermore, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about immigrating to Canada without a degree:

Can I find a promising career in Canada without a degree?

Candidates without a degree may still qualify for a work visa even though professional-level occupations in Canada typically ask for a bachelor's degree. Yet, they must exhibit the knowledge, abilities, training, and language fluency required to fulfill the employer's work requirements. Also, there are numerous well-paying employment opportunities in Canada's healthcare and mining sectors.

Can someone with a diploma work in Canada?

You can obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which lets you remain in Canada and work full-time after completing a certificate, diploma, or degree at least eight months long. You are not required to wait for a job offer to apply; you can work in any occupation in Canada, even one unrelated to your field of study.

Are foreigners without degrees permitted to work in Canada?

Yes. In Canada, skilled labor is constantly required. Therefore, the difficulty in finding work in Canada is not due to a lack of employment. Still, Canada is turning to you, a qualified and experienced foreign worker wishing to live and work in the Canadian community, because there need to be more local skilled people to keep up with available employment in Canada.