Are you a teacher who has passed rigorous government tests and spent years obtaining a B.Ed. or even a Master’s degree? However, as a teacher in India, your monthly pay may not be sufficient to meet your family’s needs.
Picture yourself in Canada now, respected, well-compensated, and enjoying a life that values your talents. Given Canada’s pressing need for teachers, 2025 is an ideal moment to immigrate to Canada as a teacher from India.
This guide will discuss how you can immigrate to Canada as a Teacher from India.
Why Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher from India?
Teaching in India may not always be financially rewarding, but it is a meaningful career. While private school instructors usually earn less than ₹25,000, even after years of experience and education, most government teachers receive between ₹35,000 and ₹60,000 monthly. Undoubtedly, teachers are the most critical people for nation-building; many teachers often feel underappreciated, particularly compared to other industries, such as IT or healthcare.
In contrast, educators are among the most compensated workers in Canada. A teacher with comparable credentials and experience may make between CAD 55,000 and CAD 110,000 a year. This is more than ten times what you might make in India, and it comes with a much better quality of life and access to world-class amenities.
Benefits of Teaching in Canada for Indian Teachers
- High Salaries: Teachers are among the best-paid professionals, with salaries often equal to or exceeding those in engineering and healthcare.
- Permanent Residency (PR): Teachers’ fast-track immigration routes enable them to settle with their families under Permanent Residency (PR).
- Work-life balance: Enjoy summer vacations and paid holidays and be part of a society that values personal leisure.
- Healthcare & Social Benefits: Free healthcare, great pension plans, and world-class education for your kids.
- Dignity and Professional Growth: Canadian teachers are valued and have chances for continuous professional growth and leadership positions.
Case Study: Supriya, 32 years old, Early Childhood Educator from India
Meet Supriya, a B.Ed. Secondary school teacher in Delhi with eight years of experience. Her monthly income is approximately ₹50,000 (₹6 lakh per year). With the same credentials and expertise, and relocated to Canada, she might expect an average pay of CAD 85,000 annually—more than ₹52 lakh! It’s a change of her lifestyle, savings, and future possibilities for her family, not just a wage increase.
Visual Comparison: Teaching in India vs. Canada
Here is a glimpse of what your career may be in both nations:
| Factor | India | Canada |
| Annual Salary | ₹4.9–8 lakh (avg) | CAD 55,000–110,000 |
| Standard of Living | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Facilities | 3/10 | 9/10 |
| Respect/Status | Moderate | High |
| Job Security | High (govt) | High |
| Work Life Balance | Low–Moderate | High |
Eligibility for Indian Teachers to Immigrate to Canada
Immigrating to Canada as a teacher requires:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed) or comparable
- At least 6 months to 1 year of full time teaching experience
- Evidence of English or French competency—IELTS/CELPIP/TEF with CLB 7 or above
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm your degree satisfies Canadian criteria
- Matching your work to a Canadian NOC code (e.g., Secondary School Teachers NOC 41220, Elementary Teachers NOC 41221, etc.)
Best Immigration Pathways for Indian Teachers
1. Express Entry with Education Category
Express Entry is Canada’s fastest immigration pathway, allowing foreign skilled workers to move to Canada. Though teachers were eligible for Express Entry programs in the past, the score to obtain Canada PR was way too high.
Fortunately, in 2023, IRCC introduced category-based Express Entry draws to address labour shortages in high-demand occupations. It allows eligible teachers to obtain permanent residency with a low CRS Score. The occupations eligible for the new targeted EE draws are listed below:
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER |
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
CRS Score Boosters: Indian teachers can maximize points through factors like:
- Language Proficiency: High IELTS/CELPIP scores (CLB 9+). French language proficiency can add another 50 points to your final CRS score.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): A WES-approved degree equivalent to a Canadian bachelor’s degree.
- Canadian Work Experience: Previous teaching experience in Canada (e.g., through IEC work permits).
Processing times for the Express Entry average 6 months, making it the fastest PR pathway. Spouses can obtain open work permits, and children can access free public education.
2. Provincial Opportunities for Teachers
Provinces like Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia actively recruit teachers through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which offer PR to candidates who meet local labour market needs. It is important to note that most of these PNPs are targeted towards applicants who are already in Canada and have obtained relevant Canadian experience as teachers.
If you are considering using the Provincial Nominee Program pathways to immigrate to Canada as a teacher from India, you must have either a Canadian education or teaching experience. Additionally, most PNPs require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer to be eligible for the programs.
3. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot For Early Childhood Educator Assistants
If you’re an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (NOC 42202), you may qualify for Canada’s Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP), a special immigration program for childcare workers. To be eligible you require:
- Job Title: Only Early Childhood Educator Assistants (NOC 42202) qualify.
- Education: At least a high school diploma (secondary school).
- Experience: Minimum 6 months to 1 year of full-time childcare experience (Indian teachers are welcome).
- Additional Requirements: Some provinces may request an Early Childhood Education Assistant certificate.
4. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program may eventually lead to permanent residence for individuals with a Canadian job offer. Using the TFWP, employers can hire you from outside Canada, and you can obtain an LMIA-based work permit.
- Pathway to PR: After 1 year of work, teachers become eligible for:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Under Express Entry.
- Provincial Nominations: Employers often sponsor foreign workers for PNPs.
- Pro Tips: Target provinces with LMIA exemptions for teachers (e.g., Alberta’s AAIP). Use platforms like Teachaway or Education Canada to find LMIA-supported job offers.
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Step by Step Process to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher from India
- Check Your Eligibility & NOC Code: Match your NOC code to the appropriate teaching position.
- Get Your Credentials Assessed: Get a WES or ICAS ECA.
- Take a language test: In IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF, aim for a CLB 7+ score.
- Create an Express Entry Profile: Include your education, experience, language scores, and other information.
- Choose the Right Pathway: PNP, Express Entry (Education Category), or other appropriate programs.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): A competitive score will qualify you for an ITA for PR.
- Submit Your PR Application: Include all papers—ECA, language results, evidence of employment, police clearance, medicals, and money.
- Move to Canada & Get Certified: After obtaining permanent residence, apply for a provincial teaching license and then go to Canada to become certified. Every province has its own criteria.
Salary Expectations for Teachers in Canada
- Entry level: CAD 45,000–60,000
- Mid career: CAD 65,000–90,000
- Senior level: CAD 100,000 and above (especially in Ontario and Alberta)
- Average: CAD 85,000–107,000 (varies by province and experience)
If you feel underappreciated in India, it’s time to consider relocating to a place where your abilities are genuinely valued. From eligibility checks to getting permanent residency, Team Elaar Immigration is here to help you at every stage of the Canadian teacher immigration process.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I teach in Canada without Canadian certification?
Ans. No. You must have a provincial teaching license after arriving to work in public schools.
Q. How long does the PR process take for teachers?
Ans. Candidates can proceed with Express Entry approximately six months after submitting an ITA. PNP: 6 to 12 months.
Q. Which provinces have the highest demand for teachers?
Ans. British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
Q. Do I need a job offer to immigrate as a teacher?
Ans. Although specific PNP streams require it, it dramatically increases your CRS score.
