This article is a quick guide for how to immigrate to Canada as an Electrician.
After writing my how to become an electrician in Canada article, it’s brought a lot of questions from foreign electricians to qualify in Canada. (Out of country electricians moving to Canada).
Please read close! I CANNOT HELP YOU FIND WORK.
My answer is to reach out to a local college in regards to being a foreign worker wanting to become an electrician in Canada. They’ll tell you the information required to immigrate, how to transfer your electrical apprenticeship hours, and even if there’s grants available!
Helpful Links for Electricians Immigrating to Canada:
Please read the article below, and then view these links after:
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
- Electrician Job Requirements in Canada
- About the Read Seal (Journeyman Ticket in Canada)
- Financial Support for Apprentice Electricians
Step 1: What Province are You Moving To?
First figure out what province in Canada you are moving to. (See provinces in Canada).
This is the very important because being an electrician in Canada is not the same in each province and the requirements to become a certified electrician can differ from province to province.
Immigration may also differ from province to province for electricians immigrating to Canada to obtain their Red Seal (Journeyman electrician). (See Federal Skilled Trades Program link above!)
Step 2: Reach Out to a Local College for Information
Once you know what province in Canada, the next step is to contact a local college in the city you are moving to.
Tell them the country you are immigrating from, if you have completed the schooling in your country, or if you have any hours. Many times your hours and schooling can be credited to you, which can save you much time, money, and effort!
I’ll quickly break if you’re 100% done school and certified, or if you’re still doing your electrical schooling.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN IMMIGRATING TO CANADA (READ SEAL):
If you have fully completed your schooling in your country, from conversations of other electricians I worked with on the jobsite, they were able to transfer their electrical ticket (certification) to become a Journeyman in Canada.. but there may be a test involved, as well as showing proof such as your hours, and paperwork for verification.
APPRENTICE ELECTRICIANS IMMIGRATING TO CANADA:
In Canada, apprentice electrician’s get paid a percentage of the JOURNEYMAN PAY RATE. (Each province pays differently, and there is no standard!)
Let’s say it’s $35/hour for journeyman rate.
First year electrician’s will get paid a percentage of $35/hour… at maybe $15-18/hour.
Each time you pass school, your company SHOULD be increasing your pay rate!
Your electrical company that is sponsoring you also has to submit your apprenticeship hours to keep track of all your working hours, which is required for you to pass your schooling and become a fully certified journeyman.
Immigrating to Canada to Become an Electrician:
So please view the links above.
They will break down what it takes to become an electrician in Canada from another country.
In Canada, an electrician is known as a skilled trade worker. There is an apprenticeship program, which when you pass, you get your Red Seal, which can be used all throughout Canada (except Quebec I think..)
It’s very important to get this Red Seal because it gives you the security of presenting the paper to any employer for them to pay your Journeyman rate.
If you are an apprentice, make sure to look up FINANCIAL GRANTS. Each time you pass a year of your electrical schooling, there is usually a grant you can claim to help cover the costs of going to school!
For apprentice electricians in the Read Seal program, I believe you are entering into the “Construction Electrician” category. It takes 4 years to complete. You work for 9 months, and go to school for about 3 months.
AGAIN.. SORRY I CANNOT PROVIDE ANY MORE INFORMATION THAN THIS. THIS SHOULD BE ALL YOU NEED TO GET GOING.
Here are the helpful links from above for convenience.
21 comments
Christ
Hi Riley,
I am a diploma holder of electrical engineering in 2 year course and I have more then 5 year experience in electrical maintenance in most of hotel, mall etc. I have question how to prove that regarding my experiences for immigration.
Riley Weller
Hey! If you were not under any type of apprenticeship where they recorded your hours, I don’t think they will honor the hours..
For your schooling, you may be able to have at least first year honored, as electrical engineering is definitely more involved than the Construction Electrician School for Apprentices.
My best recommendation is to talk with your local college about immigration & how you can get your experience honored.. they may have some programs to help you move forward to save you a lot of time!
Let me know what you figure out if you’d like!
Daniel Nhakwaza
I Riley, I’m Daniel from Zimbabwe,currently based in South. I have obtained trade certificate in Electrician( Construction) here in South Africa. Now, I would like to relocate to Canada. Can you please advise me on what to do.
Riley Weller
Hey Daniel, I would suggest first finding where you are moving to Canada. Next, contact a local electrical college which will have all your answers in regards to repecting your current electrical experience (if it allows for it)!
Mohammed shifnu shiyas
Hi Riley, First of all I thank you for your valuable information. I am a 20 year old student from India. I have no experience as an electrician. But my father is an electrician. I want to migrate to Canada and complete my electrical course and become a certified electrician. What are the qualifications to become a certified journeyman and how much does it cost per year to become an electrician for an international student? Can I become an electrician?
Riley Weller
Hi Mohammed, I don’t think there’s any extra cost for an international person to become an electrician, except for the cost of travel.. but you’ll have to do your own research!
My first suggestion is to figure out where you are moving in Canada, then contact a local college in that area. Rules and regulations regarding electrician schooling changes all the time, so that’s the best information I have for you.
Further, you can view my How to Become an Electrician in Canada article for more info.
Michael
Hello Riley, pls can you recommend to me such trade colleges in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, etc. which accept foreigners (outside Canada). Thank you.
Riley Weller
Hi Michael, thanks for the comment, and hope you’re doing good!
I have no experience in those provinces, but a simple internet search will break down local electrical colleges in your area for apprentice electrician schooling in Canada.
Sometimes you have the option to go to an official college for electrical school, which I’d recommend. Sometimes there are third-party training programs, which seem to be just as good.. I’m not sure of the price difference.
Any route you take, make sure to take advantage of apprentice grants, and you can learn more with how to become an electrician in Canada.
There’s free electrical training on this website, too, as a helpful resource in addition to your electrical schooling!
Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for visiting the website!
meggie
I watched one YouTuber said that, if you have more than 12,000 hours experience in your home country, then you just need 6 months working experience in Canada or 10 hours online course on CSA then you can write the exam. Is that correct? And what is this exam if you know?
My husband has 9 years experience as an electrician and an engineer degree in our home country. He hasn’t made an ECA for his diploma but when looking for job online, he sees some companies they don’t require Red Seal (or any certificate like this). Whether he can try to get a job offer from them before getting license?
Riley Weller
Hi Meggie! Thanks for your comment 🙂
My best recommendation is to reach out to a local college where you are thinking of moving to in Canada, they can guide you through step-by-step with the latest rules and guidelines!
How it works for Canadian citizens is you first start your electrical apprenticeship.. but each province is a little different when it comes to how many hours are required to become “Red Seal Certified”.
In short, you go to school for 4 different levels of education, and need a certain amount of working hours which your company needs to submit to the apprenticeship governing body who keeps track of your apprenticeship, hours, and at the end will give you your Journeyman Ticket!
For someone out of country wanting to become an electrician in Canada, I’m not sure of the rules, but have worked with MANY people who have immigrated to Canada who have passed this test you are talking about which honors their hours and skill level of where they live.
Again, contact a local college of where you are wanting to move in Canada, and learn the rules/guidelines, and you can take the proper steps accordingly in the best way possible (instead of listening to random advice!!)
Ajay
Hi, Ajay this side 19 years old, an international student enrolled for ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 2 year program an now i have completed my second semester. I don’t have any experience from my home country. Anyone suggest me what steps I have to follow to get a license.
Riley Weller
Hi Ajay, the first step is to figure out what provice you will be moving to in Canada (Ontario, Alberta, etc.)
Once you figure out what province in Canada to become an apprentice electrician, the best solution is to contact a college about how their apprentice electrician program works. Most often you get a sponsor (your employer), who then tracks and submits your hours to a governing body to manage your apprenticeship. After all the required hours and training, they then sign-off on you for you to get your Red Seal Electrical Ticket in Canada!
So first contact a college and ask your questions. Very often there are grants, too!
Electrical colleges will always have the most relevant information pertaining to your electrical apprenticeship!
meggie
Thank you so much for your advice, i’m really appreciate this.
Phiong joni
Im 44 yo, from indonesia, considering to enroll to a college @ontario. Should i go for it or just dont bother. Many thanks
Riley Weller
Hi Phiong!
There should be nothing stopping you, however, money will be tight the first couple of years as you go through your apprenticeship! (Especially if you have a family!)
There is lots of opportunity out there!
Phiong joni
I found new information which basically said that if someone take 2 years diploma, you can skip to level 3 apprenticeship, is it true?
Riley Weller
I’m not aware of this!
I understand you’d like to rush through it to obviously make more money, but going through the proper apprenticeship cannot be rushed – I cannot advise it enough to go through the ropes, and have the opportunity to be taught by many experienced in the trade.
You come out much wiser and can help others within the trade.
There is much to learn, and while money is very important, so is knowing what you are doing, so you can go to any company you wish, and thrive and know what you’re doing! 🙂
phiong joni
Thank you so much for your advice, means a lot to me.
Cheers
Riley Weller
You are very welcome, Phiong!
Thanks for your comment and interest.
Here to help with any questions you have. I can always write articles and create videos if you can’t find your answers out there while going through an Electrical Apprenticeship.
Anil kumar
Hello sir
I want electric Trade (red seal)note.please provide me.
Thanks & regards
Riley Weller
Hi Anil, that is awesome you are wanting to enter the electrical trade!
All the info I provided in this article is all I can help with in regard to becoming an electrician in Canada through immigration.
I also have video about How to Become a Red Seal Electrician in Canada for more info!