Working in Canada with foreign qualifications

This is a question I am asked everyday by many readers. 'I have a degree from India/Pakistan/Srilanka/etc , is it valid in Canada?

For the most part, the answer, I am sorry to say is, 'No'. You will probably have to get your credentials assessed and see how it meets the Canadian standard. Then you will have to either get extra training, education or Canadian work experience.

The Government of Canada's new Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides helpful information to immigrants coming in from overseas.

In Canada, there are two kinds of professions:

1. Regulated Occupations

The regulated occupations are those that have a set standard of practice. These include health care, financial services and engineering. The set standard is to ensure that immigrants have had sufficient amount of practice and have the competence to handle the jobs in these fields.

If you want to work in a regulated occupation you MUST HAVE a license or a certificate or be registered with the regulatory body for your occupation IN THE province or territory where you plan to work.

2. Non-regulated Occupatioins

These are jobs where you don't need a license, certificate or registration to work. But the requirements for employment can depend greatly on your employer. He may ask for specific experience or references from previous employers.

TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOUR PROFESSION IF REGULATED AND TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE SAME:

VISIT

www.workingincanada.gc.ca

In some professions you may have to have advanced knowledge of French or English:

www.cic.gc.ca for more information on that

or

www.credentials.gc.ca

for information on finding jobs, education and academic credentials, work related documents, information on job descriptions, wages, skills etc.

I got all the above information from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada brochure on 'Want to work in your profession in Canada'.

Hope this helps!!