Migrate to Canada as an AI Specialist
How to Move to Canada as an AI Engineers?
Developing artificial intelligence is one of Canada’s most significant economic goals. In 2026, the country will not only be funding AI research, but it will also be actively inviting AI experts from all over the world to help drive innovation in fields like clean energy, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and digital governance. This is an excellent opportunity for talented individuals to get permanent residency and start a career that will last a long time.
If you’re looking for AI jobs in Canada in 2026 or want to know how to get an AI engineer job in Canada in 2026, you need to know about both the job market and the immigration system. This guide shows AI professionals the best ways to work and live in Canada.
Why is there a high demand for AI professionals in Canada
Global companies, AI startups, and research centres continue to flock to major tech hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Waterloo, Ottawa, and Calgary. In Canada in 2026, the best AI engineer jobs will be in both private companies and government-funded projects as digitisation and data-driven systems grow.
In-Demand Occupations Eligible for Two-Week Processing (Category B)
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 |
| Civil engineers | 21300 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 |
| Mining engineers | 21330 |
| Aerospace engineers | 21390 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 |
| Mathematicians and statisticians (subset) | 21210 |
| Data scientists | 21211 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 |
| Information systems specialists | 21222 |
| Web designers | 21233 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 |
| Software engineers and designers | 21231 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 |
| Web developers and programmers | 21234 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 |
| Computer network and web technicians | 22220 |
| Information systems testing technicians | 22222 |
| Visual effects and video game project managers (subset) | 51120 |
| Digital media and design professionals (subset) | 52120 |
Many of these roles are also aligned with Canada’s STEM immigration priorities, making them highly valuable for long-term settlement.
Why Canada Will Make Temporary Immigration More Strict in 2025 and After
Several structural problems led policymakers to make this choice:
Housing and Affordability Issues
There have been serious housing shortages in Canada’s big cities. The quick rise in the number of students and workers coming to the area has made rental demand even higher, which has raised prices and made them harder to find.
Stress on Public Services
Change to Sustainable Immigration
IRCC is moving away from immigration based on how many people apply and toward immigration based on quality, with a focus on labor shortages, regional needs, and long-term economic contribution.
The most popular AI jobs in Canada
In Canada, AI experts are hired under a number of different job titles, depending on the field and the use case. Most of these jobs are in skilled occupations, which means they can apply for immigration programs.
Some common jobs in AI are:
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Scientist
- AI Research Scientist
- Natural Language Processing Engineer
- Computer Vision Specialist
- Robotics Engineer
- Advanced Software Developer
- Information Systems Analyst
Most of the time, these jobs fall into the NOC TEER 0, 1, or 2 categories, which are the best ones for skilled immigration.
Ways to move to Canada as an AI Engineer in 2026
Canada has flexible immigration options that let AI professionals come in as either permanent residents or temporary workers with a clear path to permanent residency. The best way to go depends on your education, work experience, and whether or not you have a job offer.
Express Entry: The main way for AI professionals to get PR
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for skilled workers to get permanent residency. The Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class are two common ways for AI experts to get work in Canada.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks applicants based on their age, education, work experience, language skills, and ability to adapt. Because there aren’t enough workers, the CRS thresholds have been lower for tech workers in recent years.
Draws for STEM Category-Based Express Entry
Canada holds targeted draws for STEM jobs to fill important skill gaps. These selections often include jobs related to AI, which makes it more likely that even candidates with average CRS scores will get an invitation. For professionals looking for AI jobs in Canada in 2026, STEM draws offer one of the quickest and most realistic ways to get PR.
AI Engineers Can Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial governments across Canada proactively suggest AI professionals based on regional labour needs. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which greatly improves your chances of getting PR.
AI professionals like these popular PNP options
British Columbia is very interested in digital and AI talent, especially in Vancouver’s tech scene. Ontario regularly holds tech-focused selections for AI and software professionals in Toronto, Ottawa, and Waterloo. Alberta has fast-tracked paths for AI professionals who already work in the province or have job offers that meet the requirements. PNPs are especially useful for people who might not do well enough on Express Entry alone.
AI Professionals Can Get Work Permits
For a lot of professionals, getting a work permit to enter Canada is the first step toward becoming a permanent resident. Canada has special programs for highly skilled tech workers.
Also Read Get Work Permit in Canada
GTS, or Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream makes it easy for Canadian companies to hire AI professionals quickly when they can’t find good local candidates. Processing times are much shorter than for regular work permits, making this one of the quickest ways for AI engineers to get in.
GTS itself doesn’t give out PR, but the Canadian work experience you get through this stream makes your future PR applications stronger.
Also Read Global Talent Stream
The International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program lets some AI professionals get work permits that don’t require an LMIA. This includes moving employees within the same company and jobs that are thought to be good for Canada’s economy.
IMP is a great fit for senior AI professionals who work for companies with offices in more than one country.
Requirements for AI Specialists Moving to Canada
Different pathways have different eligibility requirements, but most of the time, AI professionals must meet skilled worker standards. Some of the most important requirements are:
- At least one year of work experience in AI, machine learning, or data science that is relevant
- A degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, or a related field
- Evaluation of foreign qualifications for educational credentials
- Proof that you can speak English or French
- Enough money for some PR programs to settle
- Medical and police checks
- Most PR pathways don't require a job offer, but having one can greatly improve your chances of getting one.
How to Find Jobs as an AI Engineer in Canada in 2026
People who want to get top AI engineer jobs in Canada in 2026 should focus on:
- Making a resume like the ones in Canada
- Showing that you know a lot about machine learning frameworks and cloud platforms
- Applying through job boards that focus on tech jobs and immigration programs run by employers
- Putting job search and immigration planning together
How to Move to Canada as an AI Specialist in Steps
The steps are usually the same for all programs, but they can be different.
- Check to see if you qualify for immigration paths that are good for AI
- Choose the best option for a work or PR permit
- If necessary, finish the Educational Credential Assessment.
- Find the right NOC code for your AI job
- Create a profile for the Express Entry program or your province
- When you can, raise your CRS score
- Get an Invitation to Apply
- Send in a complete application with all the required documents
- Get the green light and get ready to go.
- Start your AI career in Canada
The Long-Term Job Outlook for AI Workers in Canada
Canada’s AI industry will likely keep expanding after 2026. There will still be a demand for highly trained individuals in areas like AI in healthcare, self-driving systems, financial modelling, and intelligent infrastructure.
Step 2: Apply for Your Canada Work Permit
Once the LMIA is approved, you can submit your work permit application from outside Canada. During the application, you must clearly indicate that your LMIA was issued under the Global Talent Stream. Most eligible applicants receive a decision within two weeks, allowing them to start working in Canada much sooner than usual.
Why Nova Scotia Is Growing in Popularity
- High demand for healthcare professionals, IT workers, educators, and trades
- Accessible immigration streams under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Lower housing costs compared to large metropolitan cities
- Strong community integration and settlement support
How Universal Adviser Can Help You Get a Job in AI in Canada
FAQs AI Specialist Migrate to Canada
AI specialists can apply through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Global Talent Stream, and employer-driven PR pathways.
No, a job offer is not mandatory for Express Entry, but it significantly improves CRS scores and eligibility under PNPs and work permit streams.
CRS scores vary by draw, but AI professionals with strong education, experience, and language scores often qualify with competitive CRS ranges.
Yes, Canada has strong demand for AI specialists, particularly in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and emerging tech hubs.
Yes, eligible AI specialists can apply directly for PR through Express Entry or after gaining Canadian work experience on a work permit.
