Canada or Germany for IT professionals
Five years ago the answer for an Indian developer was Canada. In 2026 it is usually Germany.
Why Canada got harder
General Express Entry draws invite people already working in Canada, at scores above 500. A typical Indian IT profile, aged 29 to 32 with a degree, six years of experience and CLB 9, scores between 440 and 490. That is below every draw open to you, unless you have French or a provincial nomination, and most provincial tech streams have narrowed.
Why Germany opened up
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | A degree and a job paying EUR 45,934.20 or more in IT, which counts as a shortage field |
| IT specialist without a degree | Three years of IT experience in the last seven and a job at the same salary |
| Opportunity Card | Six points, and a year in Germany to find the job |
Settlement comes in 27 months on a Blue Card, or 21 months with German at B1.
The trade-offs
| Canada | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Status on arrival | Permanent resident | Work permit, then settlement |
| Job needed first | No | Yes, or a job search visa |
| Language | English | English at work in tech. German for daily life and progression |
| Citizenship | After 3 years of residence | After 5 years, with German |
| Realistic for a 460 CRS profile | Not now | Yes |
Our view
If you have French, or a Canadian job or study history, pursue Canada. Otherwise start German lessons and apply to German employers. You can do both: a Canadian profile costs little to keep open.
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Tell us your occupation, age and target country. A specialist checks your options before you spend anything.