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Teaching in Canada: How to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher

By Sam Moser October 29, 2012 (Updated February 28, 2023) 5 min. read
Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher

Migration can be an extremely long and tiring process regardless of which country you are attempting to enter. Depending on the overall motivation when applying for citizenship, some may have a slightly shorter waiting period than others. Federal skilled workers (FSW) are of greater value to a country and are therefore of a higher priority, especially in recession-proof industries. See the Canadian IELTS / Entry Program for more. For example, doctors, dentists, and teachers are professions that will always be necessary. That’s good news if you are a teacher wanting to immigrate to Canada.

Provincial and territorial governments operate their own school systems and are responsible for setting out the regulations for teaching jobs in Canada. The rules are broadly similar across the country, but with some local differences.

Selection Factors for FSW and Approval to Teach in Canada (NOC 4031/41220 and 4032/41221)

A bachelor’s degree in Education and a provincial certificate is required for teaching jobs in Canada. Obtaining certification can be a slow process, so it’s best to start before your arrival in Canada if possible.

Other factors are considered to assess eligibility for teaching jobs in Canada. For instance, the applicant may need:

Supervised student teaching may also be required. For secondary teaching jobs in Canada, it is recommended to complete a major in one teachable subject, and a minor in another teachable subject. These include languages, sciences, social studies, and business.

Teaching in Canada Requirements for Foreign Teachers

You will need to acquire several vital documentation, particularly regarding your qualifications, in order to move to Canada as a teacher.

  1. Qualified Degree, Diploma, or Certificate: If you hold a foreign credential, you must first determine whether it is recognized in Canada. If your degree, diploma, or certificate is recognized, you may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), which certifies that it is legitimate and meets Canadian criteria.
  2. Provincial Teaching Certificate: You’ll also need a provincial teaching certificate and a license, both of which you’ll get by joining a teacher’s association in your selected province or territory.
  3. Issue date of a police background clearance certificate (Enhanced Disclosure Scotland, DBS) is less than six months.
  4. Canada’s immigration service issues work visas and, if necessary, residence permits.
  5. For the province of Quebec, fluency in English or French is required.
  6. 2 positive references from current or previous employment in the field of education

Are Teachers Skilled Workers?

Some have asked “are teachers skilled workers?” and the answer is yes! By definition, a Federal Skilled Worker is a person with suitable education, work experience, age, and language abilities under one of Canada’s official languages and who are selected under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry for Teachers

A great option for those seeking immigration to Canada as a teacher should look into applying for Express Entry. This is one of the most common ways to move to Canada as a teacher which is under the Skilled Worker Stream, which is a federal program managed by Express Entry.

Cost of Living Proof

Since Canada is not in the habit of allowing anyone to sleep on their streets, they will want to know just how you plan to begin your life once you have crossed the border. Any dependents you have will also be taken into consideration.

Having too much money without a paper trail is a quick way to get your application dismissed; while lacking enough funds to sustain your family for more than a month will typically end the same way.

Automatic Dismissal

Certain applicants will most likely be denied immediately. Ensure none of these discrepancies get in your way before moving forward.

Working Online as a Teacher in Canada

With how far technology has come today and the current Coronavirus outbreak, teaching online in Canada is now also a huge option.

Teaching online means being able to work from the comfort of your own home or office. In some cases, you get to work flexible hours and work your way up to a highly-competitive salary.

Keep in mind, you will still have to meet the same requirements and experience as a teacher who regularly teaches in Canadian classrooms in order to qualify.

Teaching Jobs in Canada

There are many teaching jobs available for immigrants looking to move to Canada. Thankfully, Canada valvues educators which can make it easier for educators to move to Canada for teaching. You can research teaching jobs online before applying to move to Canada.

Here are some online job databases:

Indeed Teacher Jobs

Education Canada Job Seekers

Teach for Canada

Resources for Teacher Jobs in Canada

If you are trying to search for a site to apply to become a teacher in Canada, here are some of the most used sites to visit:

How to Become a Teacher in Canada

Are you already in Canada but want to become a teacher? There are several requirements and qualifications needed to qualify as a teacher in Canada. The Ontario College of Teachers provided these requirements

“To be certified, teachers must:

Are You Interested in Migrating to Canada as a Teacher in 2022?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out this FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

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