I have worked as a Tiler for 5 years however i don't have a certificate to prove i am qualified as i didn't go to training school.I learned my trade on site.Is there a way around this or am i not eligable for a visa?

Hey KS. I don't think you would be able to apply for pr as a tiler, as you need to have the qualifications to prove you trained how to do it.

Also when you come to Canada in the majority of trades you have to be whats called a licensed journeyman, which means you do an apprenticeship and sit exams to get your formal quals.

Those who move to Canada are allowed to challenge the exam, but ONLY if they prove they have had the neccessary 'apprenticeship' if you like in their country of origin, plus they have to show anything upwards of 4000 hours proveable work experience following submitting proff of study.

The only thing I could suggest would be maybe to apply to BUNAC for a visa (however I am presuming you are either British and below 31, or Irish and below 35).

Bunac do 1 year temporary non student working visas for those who qualify age wise, you could get a job as a tilers apprentice for the year, and maybe just maybe the comany would want to take you on and sponsor you for permanent residency.

The problem I see with this is that companies who want to employ someone specifically (ie those NOT on an open work permit) they have to apply to immigration Canada for something called a Labour Market Opinion. (LMO)

A positive :LMO is granted if CIC are happy that there are no qualified Canadians available to do the job, and unfortunately as a non skilled (this is how you will be percieved) tiler, or basically a trainee, this is a position that any company could train a Canadian up for - so unlikely to get approval.

A couple of years back this wasn't the case - the economy was good, and there were more jobs around than people to fill them, so you may have managed to scrape it. Now you really need skills that stand out over anyone elses to stand much of a chance.

The other option is one of the community identified streams (I don't know f all about these but I know Nova Scotia does one) - search in the WIKI above, or through this forum as there have been many questions asked about this.

(PS this is all presuming that you have no other skills than that of a tiler, and that you aren't actually a brain surgeon with 24 degrees and shiny white teeth - in which case i'd say use this part of your repertoire to get into Canada )