Canada’s oil and gas industry is one of the largest employers in the country, and there is a growing demand for skilled workers in this field. As an oil and gas rig drilling worker, your main job is to operate and maintain drilling equipment used to extract oil and gas from the ground.
Canada has numerous job prospects in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. These provinces have a high demand for skilled workers in the oil and gas industry due to their abundance of natural resources.
According to Talent.com, The average driller salary in Canada is $58,500 per year or $30 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $44,850 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $80,161 per year. On the other hand, the average oil and gas salary in Canada is $68,250 per year or $35 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $47,775 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $122,835 per year. These high salaries make Canada an attractive destination for oil and gas workers looking to immigrate to a country that offers great job opportunities and excellent compensation.
If you are an oil and gas rig drilling worker looking to immigrate to Canada, there are several immigration routes that you can take. In this section, we will discuss the three main immigration routes for oil and gas workers: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and job offer through the Temporary Foreign Workers Permit.
Express Entry:
Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements, which include:
- Being skilled in a particular occupation
- Meeting the language requirements (English or French)
- Having at least one year of work experience in your skilled occupation
- Meeting the minimum requirements for education
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can create an Express Entry profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). You will be assessed based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. The highest-ranked candidates will be invited to apply for permanent residence. Check your CRS scores with our CRS calculator here.
The best way to immigrate to Canada as a oil or gas rig worker is through the Federal Skilled Trades Progam.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another immigration route that oil and gas rig drilling workers can take. The PNP is designed to help Canadian provinces and territories meet their specific economic and labor market needs. Each province and territory has its own PNP, which has different eligibility requirements and application processes.
To be eligible for a PNP, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer in your skilled occupation. You must also meet the specific eligibility requirements of the province or territory where you want to live and work. If you are nominated by a province or territory, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Job Offer:
If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer in your skilled occupation, you may be eligible to apply for a work permit. A work permit will allow you to work in Canada temporarily through the Temporary Foreign Workers Permit (TFWP) If you want to stay in Canada permanently, you will need to apply for permanent residence through one of the immigration programs, such as Express Entry or the PNP.
Steps to Follow to Apply for Express Entry and Immigrate as an Oil and Gas Rig Worker
As with anything in life, following a step by step tried and tested process is typically the best way to get things done. By following these four steps, it can uncomplicate the whole immigration process.
1. Choose a province or territory
Oil and gas rigs are mostly operated in North Western Canada. Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Newfoundland & Labrador are the provinces that lead the way in oil and gas extraction. Once you know where you want to work, you can go about securing a job offer and possibly applying for a Provincial Nomination.
2. Confirm your eligibility
In order to immigrate to Canada, you must be admissible to Canada. Confirming your eligibility will also require you to provide important information that will be used to determine the next step.
3. Choose an immigration program
Canada has over 100 immigration pathways. Applying through the right one could mean the difference between obtaining permanent residence in a matter of months and saving a significant amount of money over having to reapply, pay processing fees again and waiting even longer for that permanent residence certificate. It’s an unnecessary headache you just don’t need.
The four most popular immigration programs are:
- Express Entry system;
- Provincial Nomination Program;
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot;
- The Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
Each program has their own set of requirements, forms and processing times.
4. Submit Your Applications
Aside from your permanent residency application, you will need to apply for a temporary foreign work permit. As you work in Canada, you will also become eligible for more immigration streams, such as the Canadian Experience Class, an immigration stream within the Express Entry Program. When your permanent residency application is submitted, you want to be sure it is complete and filled in correctly the first time, as applications can be rejected for the smallest of reasons.
