How to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher 2025: Pathways & Process

Are you a qualified teacher who wants to build a long-term career in Canada? This guide explains, in simple language, how to immigrate to Canada as a teacher, which immigration programs you can use, and what you need to start teaching once you arrive.

The focus here is informational: you will learn about immigration pathways, NOC codes, provincial demand, credential assessment, and teaching requirements, so you can plan your journey with confidence.

Why Canada Needs Teachers in 2025

Canada’s population is growing, classrooms are becoming more diverse, and many current teachers are retiring. As a result, qualified educators are in high demand in several provinces and territories.

• Job Bank and provincial forecasts show tens of thousands of new teaching positions opening from 2019–2028 across early childhood, primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels.
  
• Teachers in Canada can earn anywhere from CAD 45,000 to over CAD 96,000 per year, depending on province, experience, and level of education.
  
• Teachers benefit from:
  
  • Strong union protections in many school boards
    
  • Work-life balance with school holidays
    
  • Opportunities for professional development
    

Because of this demand, teachers are often targeted in immigration programs such as Express Entry category-based selections and several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

What are the Main Immigration Pathways for Teachers

Most teachers use one or more of the following routes to immigrate:

• Express Entry (federal system)
  
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  
• In some cases: employer-driven work permits that later lead to PR
  

How Does Express Entry and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Work for Teachers?

Express Entry is an online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage permanent residence applications for:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
  
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  

Teachers typically apply under the FSWP (or CEC if they already have Canadian work experience).

To qualify for the FSWP as a teacher, you generally need:

• At least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in a qualifying NOC code (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 – teachers typically fall under TEER 1).
  
• A minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP selection grid (age, education, work experience, language, adaptability, etc.).
  
• Proof of English and/or French language proficiency through approved tests (e.g., IELTS General, CELPIP, TEF, TCF).
  
• A valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your foreign education.
  

Once you are found eligible:

1. You create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool.
   
2. You receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on age, education, language, and work history.
   
3. IRCC holds regular draws and issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
   

What Is Category-Based Selection for Teachers Under the Education Category?

Recent category-based Express Entry draws can specifically target candidates with experience in priority occupations, including education-related roles.

For teachers, this means:

• You still need to be eligible for Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, or FSTP).
  
• If your NOC code and experience fall under the targeted Education Category when IRCC announces such draws, you may be invited even with a lower CRS score than general draws.
  
• This can speed up your path to PR if you have strong experience as a teacher or early childhood educator.
  

Tip: Always align your Express Entry profile with the correct NOC code that matches your actual job duties.

How Do Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Help Teachers Immigrate to Canada?

Provincial Nominee Programs allow each province or territory to select immigrants according to their own labour market needs.

For teachers, PNPs can be very powerful because:

• Some provinces have chronic teacher shortages (for example, early childhood educators in certain regions, or secondary math/science teachers).
  
• Provincial nomination usually adds 600 points to your CRS score under Express Entry, almost guaranteeing an ITA in the next federal draw.
  

Examples of provinces often seeking teachers or education professionals include (not exhaustive):

• Saskatchewan – demand for early childhood educators, college instructors, and university professors.
  
• Alberta – university professors and lecturers, some K–12 roles.
  
• Nova Scotia – college and vocational instructors, school teachers.
  
• British Columbia – teacher assistants and ECE roles.
  

Each PNP has its own requirements, streams, and occupation lists, so you should check the specific province where you intend to live and teach.

know more about Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Which Teaching Jobs Are in Demand by Province and Territory in Canada?

Below is a simplified snapshot (example) of how various education roles align with provinces/territories and their regulatory bodies. You can expand this table on your site and keep it updated.

What Teaching Qualifications and Credential Assessments Do You Need for Canada?

To work as a teacher in Canada, you need to meet both immigration and professional requirements.

What Are the Typical Education Requirements for Different Teaching Roles

• Early Childhood Educators (ECEs)
  
  • 2–4 year college diploma in Early Childhood Education or a related field
    
  • Sometimes a bachelor’s degree in child development or education
    
• Elementary & Kindergarten Teachers
  
  • Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
    
  • Often a previous bachelor’s in a relevant subject, plus a B.Ed. or equivalent
    
  • May require coursework in special education or inclusive education
    
• Secondary School Teachers
  
  • Bachelor’s degree in a teaching subject (e.g., Math, English, Biology)
    
  • Plus a Bachelor of Education or equivalent teaching qualification
    
• College & Vocational Instructors
  
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in your specialization
    
  • Relevant industry experience can be very important
    
• University Professors & Lecturers
  
  • Doctorate (PhD) in your field is usually required for professor roles
    
  • Master’s degree may be accepted for some lecturer or teaching positions
    

What Is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and Why Is It Important for Teachers?

Before you submit an Express Entry application, you must usually obtain an ECA from an IRCC-approved organization to show that your foreign education equals Canadian standards.

Key points:

• Get ECAs for your highest degree(s) (e.g., B.Ed., M.Ed., PhD).
  
• Ensure your name, dates, and program names match your immigration documents.
  
• Keep digital and paper copies ready for IRCC and any provincial teacher certification authority.
  

How Does Teacher Licensing and Certification Work in Canada?

Even after you obtain permanent residence or a work permit, you cannot immediately start teaching in public schools. Most provinces require:

• A teaching license or certificate issued by the provincial regulator
  
• Proof of:
  
  • ECA or recognized Canadian degree
    
  • Language proficiency (especially if teaching in English or French)
    
  • Criminal record check (vulnerable sector)
    
  • Sometimes practicum or supervised teaching experience
    

What Are the Step-by-Step Stages to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher?

Here is a clear roadmap that answers “how to immigrate to Canada as a teacher”:

1. Confirm Your NOC Code
   
   • Identify the NOC that best matches your actual job duties, such as:
     
     • Elementary / kindergarten teacher
       
     • Secondary school teacher
       
     • Early childhood educator
       
     • Teacher assistant
       
     • College or university instructor
       
2. Check Express Entry Eligibility (FSWP / CEC)
   
   • Calculate your FSWP points (out of 100).
     
   • Ensure you meet the one-year skilled work experience requirement.
     
3. Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
   
   • Use an IRCC-approved agency.
     
   • Have your teaching and related degrees assessed.
     
4. Take a Language Test
   
   • IELTS General / CELPIP for English, TEF / TCF for French.
     
   • Aim for the highest scores possible to boost your CRS score.
     
5. Create Your Express Entry Profile
   
   • Enter your education, work experience, language scores, marital status.
     
   • Select the correct NOC code for your main job.
     
6. Explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
   
   • Check if your occupation is on in-demand lists in provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, or others.
     
   • Apply to a PNP stream if you meet the criteria; a nomination greatly increases your CRS.
     
7. Respond to Draws and Invitations
   
   • Monitor Express Entry draws, including category-based draws that may target education occupations.
     
   • If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), gather required documents (police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds) and submit your PR application within the deadline.
     
8. Plan for Arrival and Licensing
   
   • Research your province’s teacher certification authority.
     
   • Prepare documents needed for teacher licensing.
     
   • Explore housing, cost of living, and school boards that may be hiring.
     

What Are the Benefits of Teaching and Living in Canada?

Teaching in Canada offers both professional and lifestyle advantages:

• Competitive salaries and structured pay scales
  
• Universal healthcare and strong public services
  
• High quality of life and safe environments for families
  
• Work-life balance, with school holidays and flexible schedules in many roles
  
• Pathway to citizenship after meeting residency requirements
  

How Can Go Foreign Canada Immigration Visa Consultants Help You?

At Go Foreign, we are a specialized Canada visa consultancy dedicated to helping teachers and other skilled professionals turn their Canadian dream into a real, approved visa. Our team guides you through every step of the process – from identifying the right NOC code for your teaching experience to choosing the best pathway between Express Entry, category-based Education draws, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). We help you calculate and improve your CRS score, arrange your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), prepare for language tests, and build a strong, compliant profile that aligns with current IRCC requirements. 

Beyond immigration paperwork, we also advise you on province selection, in-demand teaching roles, and teacher licensing steps, so your plan is not just about getting PR, but actually working in your profession once you arrive. With Go Foreign handling the complex forms, document checks, and strategy, you can focus on your career while we focus on getting you and your family closer to your new life in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. Can teachers apply through Express Entry?
Yes. Many teachers apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry, as long as they meet eligibility criteria and have a suitable NOC code.

Q2. Do I need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
In most cases, yes. An ECA is required for Express Entry if your education was completed outside Canada. It also helps teacher regulators understand your qualifications.

Q3. What NOC codes are used for teachers in Canada?
Various NOC codes apply, such as those for elementary and secondary teachers, early childhood educators, college instructors, and university professors. You must choose the one that best matches your job duties, not just your job title.

Q4. Which provinces have the highest demand for teachers?
Demand can be strong in provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan, and in many rural or northern areas. Shortages often affect early childhood educators, French-language teachers, and certain high school subjects.

Q5. Can my spouse and children move with me?
Yes. Many immigration programs allow you to include spouses and dependent children in your application, so your family can move to Canada together.

Q6. How long does the immigration process take?
Processing time depends on the program, your documents, and current IRCC timelines. Some Express Entry and PNP applications can be processed in around six months, but times can vary.

Q7. Will my teaching license be valid across all provinces?
No. Teacher certification in Canada is usually province-specific. If you want to move to another province, you may need to apply for a new license or meeting additional conditions.