How does a British Architectural Professional go about working in Canada?

Question

My wife and I are looking to emigrate to Canada (in particular the Ontario region) in the near future, but obviously a big factor in any move would be the type of job I could secure myself.

I currently have my RIBA part 1 exemption (BA hons Architecture) and over 5.5 years experience in the architecture industry. I currently work for a medium size practice where my job title is Architectural Designer - I essentially do the job of an architect (write specifications, liaise with clients and local authorities, concepts schemes, fully detailed projects, project management and running etc, etc, etc) but I am unable to call myself an Architect due to not being fully qualified.

I have a couple of queries which I hope that you can help with, or that you can point me in the right direction for finding the answers. My initial queries are as follows:


Will my British architectural qualification hold any merit in Canada, as I would like to continue my development to become a fully qualified architect - be it Canadian, or if not possible, British? Would my British qualifications/experience allow me to fast track any of the Canadian process?



With my current education and work experience background will I be able to work in the architectural industry in Canada, and what job roles will I be able to apply for (a guide would be much appreciated)?


With the current global economic climate, is the architectural/construction industry in Canada struggling or is it currently maintaining a healthy level?

I have tried contacting the RAIC and CACB but they have, so far, not responded.

I hope that you can help with my initial queries, as my wife and I are sincerely looking to improve the quality of our lives with a move to Canada. I would appreciate sensible answers only, not people telling me to stay in my own country etc etc - which has happened when my wife posted a question re moving to Canada.

Many Thanks

Answer 1

Here's the immigration procedure:

Answer 2

I know someone who went through the same type of circumstances as you. Firstly being in a highly skilled, well paided position in the Uk helps as countries allowing in immigrants would only want the most qualified people like Australia. Secondly as Canada is part of the commonwealth it may help depending on the local regulations in your area but it should be easier than other countries. Thirdly as you speak English fluently it would help you as you would be moving to another English speaking country as you would require the ability to speak it to be able to live there fully and therebylatterlyy if you wanted, obtaining Canadian citizenship. Fourthly getting set up with a position before you set off would help as it would show the authorities that you weren't just going there to suck off of the state benefits system (I'm not saying you would just to prove that to the authoritiess) thereby making the process quicker. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

That Canada is part of the commonwealth is totally irrelevant to whether you would be able to make it here. We're in the midst of a deepening recession, too, and we have tens of thousands of unemployed Canadians who are also looking for what few jobs there are out there. Some of those unemployed are architects like you.



As for whether your qualifications would be recognized here or not, you would have to contact whatever agency governs credentials in the UK and ask them. You mention that you have contacted RAIC and CACB already and they have not responded. Sorry but those are your best bets.



I understand that you and your wife would like to make a better life for yourselves here; however try to understand that we are currently working through about 925,000 applicants who also want to make a better life for themselves. In other words, it'll take a lot of time.



Look through the links below and learn.

Answer 4

new skyscraper buildings in ontario have slowed right down.

new subdivision housing has also slowed down.





Regarding your qualifications, I did find this on the RAIC website under international (at the top)



In Canada there is not a national or federal system for registering or licensing as an Architect. Registration must be obtained through the appropriate provincial or territorial licensing authority where the individual will reside or practice. The use of the title ‘architect’ is restricted to members of the provincial or territorial associations of architects.



And then under Graduate Student, you click to get this



As a graduate in architecture you may wish to enter the Internship in Architecture Program in the province or territory where you intend to live.



First you will need to apply to have your educational qualifications reviewed and certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). Depending on the province or territory where you wish to practice, there may be additional requirements imposed by the licensing authority.



Upon successful completion of the Internship in Architecture Program along with the required licensing/registration examination you may apply to become a licensed or registered Architect.



On the graduate page at the top is another link - documents to bring to canada. Click that and it says this



To have your educational qualifications certified, you need to bring the following documents:



i) Official transcript of record or certified* true copy thereof, showing grade or standing achieved in each subject for each year of the course in architecture completed;



ii) Certified* true copy of the official translation of the transcripts if the original documents are not in French or English.



iii) Certified* true copy of all degrees must be submitted even though the conferring of such degree title may appear on another document, i.e. official transcript of record.



iv) Certified* true copy of the official translation of degrees if the original documents are not in French or English.



v) University Calendar describing all programmes including architecture undertaken by the applicant or equivalent documentation. It is very important that the university calendar be for the years you were attending the university and that the calendar contains:



the description of the content of every individual course;

the number of hours of lectures and the number of hours of studio spent on each course;

the number of terms in an academic year;

the number of weeks of studies per term.

vi) Certified* true copy of the official translation of the university calendar if original document is not in French or English. (Note: Canadian Architectural Certification Board only requires the translation of the sections related to your programme in architecture);



vii) List of the academic design projects completed throughout the programme in architecture, as well as a brief description of each project.



viii) Portfolio of academic design (copies not originals). Although the submission of a portfolio of academic design work is not mandatory with the initial application, it is strongly recommended that applicants submit one in order to expedite the certification process.



*Certified by: the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths

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Here are the details of immigration.



You have two choices



You will need police checks - probably from Scotland Yard.



1 - federal skilled worker



You need to have at least 1 years work experience in your chosen field before you can apply. 4 years is better - gives you more points.



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp



You must meet the following minimum requirements to apply as a skilled worker:



You must have at least one continuous year of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time [1 year full time - 2 years part time]. continuous employment. Your work experience must be Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).

You must have had this experience within the last 10 years.



http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/occupation_index.aspx?lc=e

NOC list



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp

assessment test - you must get 67 points to qualify.



You will need at least $10,000 saved up - more if you have family - before you apply as you will be required to show this proof that you have this money when you apply.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/02a-skilled-fed.asp

application processing times in Skilled worker category



Currently taking 3 years from UK. And then after you are admitted to Canada, you MUST live in Canada for 3 years before you can apply to be a citizen. That is currently taking about 12 months to be processed, so altogether it takes you 7 years to legally become a Canadian citizen.



2 - provincial nominee.



If you speak french then you can apply for Quebec,. IF you do NOT speak french, then apply for another province (Ontario, BC or Alberta are the best) .



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp

provincial nominees



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/quebec/index.asp

Quebec selected skilled worker.



If you do emigrate under the provincial nominee program, you are required to stay in that province for (either) 2 or 3 years before you can leave.



Provincial nominee programs can be processed faster than the federal program.



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Apologies for this being so long, but I cant do more than 10 weblinks. Personally I suggest you apply for the Ontario provincial nominee program. It is faster than the skilled worker. Hope this helps.