Immigrate to Canada as a Paralegal

Immigrate to Canada as a a Paralegal

Immigrate to Canada as a a Paralegal

Paralegal and related occupations are in demand right across Canada and you may be able to secure a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa either with or without a job offer.

 

There are thousands of Paralegal and related occupations just like you moving to Canada. Find out how to join them.  Canada needs more Paralegal and related occupations.  If you are thinking about moving to Canada as a Paralegal, all the information you need is right here.

Moving to Canada as a Paralegal

Moving to Canada as a Paralegal

Paralegal and related occupations are wanted in Canada

Did you know that Paralegal and related occupations are one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada? Paralegal and related occupations are in high demand in all 11 of Canada’s provinces and territories, and as a highly-skilled professional, you can expect to earn between $81400 and $105300 per year.

 

When considering Canada as your new home, there are not only numerous immigration options for you to choose from, but plenty of job opportunities too.

Jobs in Canada for Paralegal and related occupations

One of the biggest questions when moving to Canada is “will I be able to find work as a Paralegal in Canada?”. The simple answer is Yes, you will!  (Of course each Paralegal and related occupations level of training and experience is a core factor, as is the case in any country.)

 

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about jobs in Canada for Paralegal and related occupations.

Is There Really a Demand for Paralegal and related occupations in Canada?

Yes there is! As mentioned previously, you can immigrate to Canada as an experienced Paralegal and related occupation with a high chance of finding employment in any of Canada’s 11 provinces. These job opportunities can be found in:

 

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan

 

Over the next few years, it is estimated that there will be 28000 new jobs created due to expansion and a need for replacement as well as 35000 new positions for graduates and immigrants to fill who want to live and work in Canada.

 

This is why Canada needs Paralegal and related occupations.  You really can be moving to Canada as a Paralegal

How Much Do Paralegal and related occupations Earn in Canada?

Salaries in Canada are very competitive and, as an experienced Paralegal and related occupation, you can expect to earn between $81400 and $105300 per year.

How do I search for Paralegal and related occupation positions in Canada?

Most Paralegal and related occupation jobs in Canada are advertised online on jobs sites.  Often, a code is used to identify Paralegal and related occupation jobs.  These codes are used across Canada to identify all kinds of occupations.

 

The codes are called NOC codes.  The NOC code for Paralegal and related occupation is 4211.  There are a range of positions that are associated with Paralegal and related occupations.

 

These are occupations many Paralegal and related occupations also participate in.  If you work in or are employed as any of the following positions, you are covered by the overarching noc code of 4211 for Paralegal and related occupations

 

Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Notaries public administer oaths take affidavits sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.;

 

Further Positions within the term of Paralegal and related occupation include:

 

  • Abstractor
  • Brief writer – law
  • British Columbia notary public
  • Collection paralegal
  • Commercial law clerk
  • Commercial law paralegal
  • Contract clerk – law
  • Conveyance clerk
  • Copyright agent
  • Corporate law and litigation clerk
  • Corporate law clerk
  • Corporate paralegal
  • Corporate securities law clerk
  • Corporation paralegal
  • Court and tribunal agent
  • Criminal law clerk
  • Criminal law paralegal
  • Family law clerk
  • Family law paralegal
  • Foreclosure clerk
  • Foreclosure paralegal
  • Independent paralegal
  • Insurance law clerk
  • Insurance paralegal
  • Labour law clerk
  • Labour law paralegal
  • Land titles clerk
  • Land titles examiner
  • Law clerk
  • Law clerk to judge
  • Lay notary public
  • Lease and title clerk
  • Legal researcher
  • Legal technician
  • Litigation law clerk
  • Litigation paralegal
  • Mortgage and real estate paralegal
  • Notary public

 

If your position is on the above list, you have found your relevant NOC Code, it is 4211

How Do I Move to Canada to Live and Work as a Paralegal?

Step 1 : Determine you are eligible to immigrate

The simplest way to do this is to take our free visa assessment.  There are more than 80 visa pathways to Canada.  Once you take your visa assessment we will be able to guide you as to which is the best path for your particular circumstances.

Step 2: Have Your Qualifications Accredited for Canada

In order to live and work in Canada as a Paralegal, you will need to have your qualifications that you earned outside of Canada accredited and ensure that it is recognized in Canada.

 

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) confirms that your degree, diploma or certificate is both valid and equal to Canadian standards. This is vital as it will allow you to claim the Permanent Residency points for your education and training and might also be required for employment, professional registration within Canada and Canadian immigration services.

 

Below is a list of designated organizations that are  licensed to do your assessment:

 

  • Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies;
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada;
  • World Education Services;
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS); and
  • International Credential Evaluation Service.

 

Educational and experience requirements for Paralegal and related occupations include:

 

  • Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor’s degree in law or a law college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
  • Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience or through completion of a community college paralegal program.
  • Licensing is required in Ontario and certification is required in British Columbia for early childhood educators. Licensing for early childhood educators is usually required in all other provinces and territories.
  • Early childhood educator assistants
  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Experience in child care is required.
  • Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education may be required.

 

You may be required to provide a range of documentation and references to prove your abilities and experience during your evaluation process for Canadian Immigration.

Start Your Evaluation

Step 3: Start the Migration Process, apply for your Canada Visa

There are many routes you can take when moving to Canada as a Paralegal but we’ve listed the top 4 ways that will give you the greatest chances of success in the application process:

 

  1. Express Entry system
  2. Provincial Nominee Program
  3. The Rural and Northern Immigration Program
  4. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot

 

1. Express Entry

The Express Entry (EE) system is our top choice for moving to Canada as a Paralegal. Not only is it the fastest but it is also one of the simplest ways to immigrate to Canada. With the right age, language skills in French and/or English, qualifications and other criteria you could be moving to Canada fast, you could be on your way to Canada in 6 months.

 

The first stage in your Canadian Express Entry immigration process is to calculate your Canada Immigration points for Express Entry using the Canadian Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

 

Some of the elements that CRS Points are awarded for include:

 

  • Age
  • Qualifications
  • English ability
  • French ability
  • Your partner’s skills
  • Work experience

 

Take our free online visa assessment for an up to date report on whether you have enough points to move to Canada as a Paralegal from both an Express Entry and Immigration points perspective.

 

2. Provincial Nominee Program

 

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows skilled and semi-skilled immigrants to live and work in Canada. You will need a valid job offer in Canada of at least 1 year for most immigration streams. 11 provinces and territories have their own PNPs, each with their own with specific labor needs.

 

If your skills match what your chosen province or territory is looking for, you may receive a provincial nomination, which is worth 600 extra Permanent Residency points which means that you’re practically assured of an offer for Canadian permanent residence.

 

3. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

 

Seeing as Paralegal and related occupations are in-demand you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). There are 11 participating communities currently participating in the pilot program. You will need a valid job offer in one of the participating communities to be considered eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the RNIP.

 

4. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot

 

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot allows intermediate to highly and semi-skilled foreign workers to move to Canada’s Atlantic provinces and seeing as Paralegal and related occupations are in high need in the 4 Atlantic provinces, you may be eligible to apply if you have a valid job offer for at least 1 year.

Step 4: Apply for a Paralegal Job in Canada

As a highly skilled worker, it is not a requirement that you have a job to be able to immigrate to Canada but it will make it faster. It will help with the immigration process as you can earn between 50 and 200 PR points for a valid job offer.  This moves you ahead in the pool of candidates, as the more points you have the more chance you have of receiving an invitation in one of the many offer rounds made within the Canada Visa System.

 

Paralegal and related occupations in Canada are described as doing the following:

 

 

  • Paralegals
  • Assist lawyers by interviewing clients witnesses and other related parties assembling documentary evidence preparing trial briefs and arranging for trials
  • Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
  • Under the supervision of a lawyer prepare wills real estate transactions and other legal documents court reports and affidavits
  • Research records court files and other legal documents
  • Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.
  • Independent paralegals
  • Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings at tribunals and before administrative bodies
  • Meet with clients to assess their progress give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
  • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients’ behavioural changes and responses to interventions

 

 

You can expect to see these terms in Job ads in Canada for Paralegal and related occupations along with the following common tasks, duties and responsibilities of Paralegal and related occupations in Canada.

 

There has never been a better time to get moving to Canada as a Paralegal.

If you are looking to apply to move to Canada in a different occupation, you can find the information on our Canada Skilled Immigration Guides page.

If you are looking for a job in Canada – you can find a guide on each occupation and the job application procedure for Canada on our Canada Job Guides index.

As mentioned above you will need to attend the Canadian Embassy nearest you during your application process to live in Canada as a Paralegal.  You can find the complete list of all Canadian Embassies Worldwide here.