When I started the immigration process back in late 2003, early 2004 one of the first things I researched was everything related to my occupation and how my degrees and expertise were transferable to Canada. That’s something everyone should do from scratch, because you can always find a last minute surprise that could cost you time… and lots of money!!
Regulated and Non-Regulated Occupations
I’m a Systems Analyst and had always worked with computers: Support, Development, testing… If your country is like mine, you have to use “many hats” for the same salary, right? Given that, you always end up having a lot of different expertise in many different fields. But, as my field is computer related I did not have much trouble to find that I should be always able to get a job. From a Call Center and up, there’s plenty of positions available in Canada! And as it’s a Non-Regulated occupation, I do not need any special license for it!
But I also know some other people, University graduated immigrants like me, that may not be as lucky as I was. Some of them have those degrees that cannot be automatically transferred to Canada and require some extra effort (and when I say effort I mean time and money!) That can be the case for the ones known as “Regulated Occupations“. What are Regulated Occupations? Regulated Occupations are the ones that requires a license to work. Architects, Engineers, Accountants, Chemists, Dentists, Geologists, Pharmacists, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Teachers, Translators, Veterinarians among others are examples of Regulated Occupations.
If you allow me the advice, I’d recommend you to make a deep, thorough research on how you can become an Architect, Engineer, Lawyer, etc. in Canada: who should you contact, what are the requisites, what information you may need to bring with you, if you can start the process from your home country or not, how long it’d take and how expensive it could be!
You may also start by researching where in Canada your expertise could be more in need, right? It may help you also to decide where in Canada to move, instead of fighting for a place at saturated places like Toronto, Mississauga, Montreal or Vancouver!
IMHO, the best place to start for all this is this video. Kudos to Working In Canada for it!
Sources: Working In Canada, CICIC.
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