Jobs In Canada For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship That You Can Apply For in 2024/2025

Canada really, really needs workers. Both seasonal workers and those who come for longer periods are welcome here. Holders of in-demand specialties – not only doctors and engineers, but also qualified workers with secondary education – are ready to be granted permanent residence, and in the future – citizenship. However, you need to go overseas with good preparation: a decent knowledge of English or French (and ideally both); choose in advance the province or city where you will live – after all, people often leave for years, not months; It’s also a good idea to have an offer from your employer. What else? Read our article!

Are Foreigners Needed in Canada?

The unemployment rate in Canada is about 6%. There is always a need for a lot of specialists here, but the competition is very high. And not only between citizens of the country, but also between expats. By the way, there are only 30% of Canadians in Canada, the remaining 70% are immigrants, of whom most are English (20%), French (15.5%), Scots (14.4%), Irish (13.8%), Germans (9.8%). And the Chinese, for example, are 4.5%.

The country has a huge territory and relatively few people, so immigration is considered one of the main ways to fill the labor shortage, which is why the state has a “plan” to invite immigrants. For example, in 2020 their number was supposed to reach 341 thousand , whereas in the previous year there were actually 437 thousand people who entered.

Immigration to Canada is divided into several classes, the main of which (65%) is economic. It includes highly qualified specialists and experienced workers in narrow areas in various industrial fields. This demand is due to the fact that the Canadian economy has been in dire need of a professional workforce for decades. In various fields – construction, light and heavy industry, oil and gas production, agriculture and forestry, mining, hotel business.

The country is constantly in need of engineers, air traffic controllers, doctors, and analysts. But intellectual workers are in little demand – local vacancies in these areas are filled by graduates of local universities. Although the same IT people can easily find themselves a “warm place” even here.

Depending on requests at the country or specific provincial level, individual programs may be closed and new ones appear in their place. So, in 2020, in Quebec, the authorities closed a popular program for those who had already studied or worked in Canada, and opened two new ones instead: for medical personnel and IT specialists .

By the way, if you are seriously thinking about moving, first pay attention to larger cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa. The unemployment rate here is lower than the national average, and there are more vacancies. Although, given the number of in-demand specialists in different fields, it is possible to find a job in Canada almost anywhere – the question is your skills and salary preferences.

You can take a closer look at the alternative TOP of attractive Canadian cities . Perhaps your dream job is waiting for you there.

Where to look for work in Canada?

To find a suitable place if you do not have personal connections and acquaintances, there are several options:

Internet resources

• JobBank – a list of vacancies on the official Canadian government website.
• PayScale – Here you will get an estimate of your earning potential by filling out a questionnaire.
• Workopolis helps you identify the position that best suits you and also offers a wide database of vacancies.
• CareerBuilder not only allows you to find a job, but also offers a lot of information about writing a resume and attracting the attention of employers.
• Kijiji – not only vacancies are collected here, but also advertisements on any topic: from selling things to renting housing.
• jobGurus is an aggregator containing vacancies from job sites, government agencies and private companies, and recruiting agencies.

A few more sites with vacancies in English:

• Indeed
• Eluta
• Monster
• WOWJobs
• AllStarJobs
• Working.com (opens via VPN)

You can also browse through the TOP 100 Canadian job search sites.

Russian-language sites (mainly working professions):

• 24ru.com
• Trud.com
• Jooble
• VK group for work in Canada

Read also: Looking for work abroad: TOP international services with vacancies

other methods

It would be a good idea to look through the relevant section of the country’s major newspapers: Montreal Gazette , Vancouver Sun , National Post and others. Most often, vacancies are placed in the Classifieds section. If you don’t want to waste time, contact a recruiting agency, for example, Randstad . Or search on YP .

In some cases, you can directly call the offices of the companies you are interested in and find out what specialists are needed and what requirements they must meet. It makes sense to contact large Canadian companies: Canadian Natural Resources, The Woodbridge Company, Imperial Oil, Sun Life Financial. Although, of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to this list: you can even contact the nearest chain restaurant, hotel, educational institution or hospital – the place can be found everywhere.

Often, local businesses want the applicant to already have experience working in a Canadian organization. In this case, you can work as a volunteer for some time: there is no payment for such work, but a certificate about who you worked for and how long will be issued.

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Requirements for foreigners

Read also: How to move to Canada with your French

1. Language knowledge

   This is a mandatory requirement. You will have to communicate with local residents in any case, even if you find a place with Russians (which, by the way, is unlikely). Moreover, the locals are not particularly tolerant and will not wait long for you to master English – they will simply refuse your services. Therefore, you need to come to the country already knowing the language at least at an acceptable level for communication.

   And if you are planning to move to Quebec, you will also need to know French, since this is the main language here.

2. Education and skills

   Take a sober approach to what you know and can do. In Canada, for the most part, specialists with significant experience and certain knowledge are required – it is difficult to find non-core work here. Even on local farms, Canadians prefer to hire narrow specialists rather than general workers in order to spend resources as rationally as possible.

   The level of education is of great importance. If you have not graduated from a Canadian, British or European university, you may need to nostrify your diploma. This especially applies to professions that require qualifications (engineer, architect, doctor, teacher, geologist, etc.).

   A list of all regulated professions that require document recognition can be found here .

3. Medical examination

   Required to obtain a work visa. It is carried out at a medical center at the International Organization for Migration (for a fee). This procedure is not as simple as it seems. First, you will need to obtain a referral (medical questionnaire) from the Canadian embassy and undergo an examination within 60 days.

   The result is valid for a year and, upon receipt, is sent to the Canadian Immigration Medical Center in London and is reviewed within three months by the Canadian High Commission. The latter issues a final conclusion, which is sent to the embassy.

4. Official employment

   It is better not to initially consider the option of working illegally in Canada. And the point here is not only in subsequent deportation with a ban on entry into the country, but also in poor social conditions. You will not be able to work in a well-paid position unofficially, you will not have social benefits and guarantees, and you will receive about $5-5.5 per hour as, say, a general worker.

   By the way, for illegal employment, both the employee and the employer face imprisonment for up to 10 years, as well as considerable fines.

By the way, to understand how you can move to Canada and whether this is realistic in your particular case, take the test on the government portal, which will display the most available options. The results will help you decide on your relocation program and are for informational purposes only.

The ideal way to find work in Canada is to use one of the immigration programs operating under the Express Entry system, which was created for in-demand workers in various specialties. This option involves long-term work, most likely moving with your family and citizenship in the future. With its help, it is much easier to obtain a permit to accept a foreign specialist (LMIA), if it is required for a given vacancy. However, here too it is useful to find a place in advance and receive an invitation from the employer.

Employment under the Express Entry program

To more effectively regulate the flow of migration, Canadian authorities adopted the Express Entry program in 2015. On the one hand, it has made it more difficult to find employment in the country, on the other, it has expanded opportunities for qualified specialists.

To participate in the program, you must first go through Express Entry : fill out a questionnaire that will determine whether you meet the necessary requirements and give you a certain number of points. The result is influenced by your skills, level of education and language skills, specialty, etc.

Your chances of getting a job directly depend on the number of points you score. The program regularly selects candidates who have scored the most points. They receive the right to move to Canada.

At the same time, their profiles are available to all employers, for whom it is quite easy to choose the right one, because the candidates in the database are sorted according to rating. Application data is sent to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is reviewed for up to six months. After this, the information enters the Express Entry database and is stored there for one year. By the way, the language test and diploma nostrification (if necessary) are carried out before submitting the application form.

There are about 80 different immigration programs in Canada, most of them based on the Express Entry system. Moreover, most programs are provincial , that is, selection occurs at the level of an individual province, and the final decision on entry is made by the federal department. And one more feature: Quebec has its own programs, information about them can be found on the website of the provincial migration department .

There are three immigration programs based on Express Entry at the federal level:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

   This is the main program for foreign immigrants. It is designed only for workers with the required experience and knowledge. To participate, you must have at least one year of work experience in a sought-after specialty obtained within the last ten years, or an invitation from a local employer. You also need to have sufficient language proficiency and education that meets Canadian standards (verified by ECA).

   Age and the ability to quickly adapt to the country also matter. You will also need to undergo a medical examination, provide a certificate of no criminal record, not apply for moving to Quebec (there is a separate program there) and have enough funds for the first time.

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

   A program for individual highly qualified or licensed professionals (for example, doctors). In this case, you will need to have at least two years of experience in your specialty over the last five years, an invitation from a local employer or a qualification certificate issued in Canada, as well as good knowledge of the language.

3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

   For professionals who have previously worked in Canada. Work experience over the last three years must be at least 12 months. It is also important to know the language at a sufficient level and not pretend to move to Quebec.

Read also: Immigration programs to Canada

By the way, the new requirements of immigration programs oblige employers who invite a foreigner to work for a long time to pay a one-time fee of $1,000 for consideration of the application. Moreover, if the candidacy is not approved, the money will not be returned. Thus, the authorities are making every effort to first provide work to local residents, and only then to foreigners.

Work permit

You can get a job in Canada only by concluding an employment contract, and if your specialty requires membership in professional associations (for example, a doctor), you will also need a license. The next mandatory stage is obtaining a permit to accept a foreigner, Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is processed by the employer. For this purpose, he sends a request to the nearest office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC). If the answer is yes, a work permit is issued.

There are a number of categories of specialists for whom this document is not required. A detailed list can be seen here .

After an affirmative response from the ministry, the employer collects the following package of documents and sends it to the applicant for submission to the consulate at the place of residence:

• A copy of the letter from the ministry stating that the candidate can work in Canada.
• A detailed contract indicating the position, list of responsibilities, required work experience and education, duration of the contract, salary, benefits for the employee and details of the employer.
• Conditions of health insurance.

There are several types of permits: for temporary work (on a regular work visa), for a permanent employee (under the Express Entry program), for students, entrepreneurs. Separately, there are permits to work as a nanny or caregiver, as well as under an experience exchange program.

Visa

To obtain a work visa, you will need to contact the Canadian embassy in the nearest country (there is one in Moscow). To apply, you will need the following documents:

• work permit;
• letter of invitation from the employer and contract;
• A completed application form;
• a certified diploma of education, as well as certificates confirming qualifications, and, if necessary, a work license;
• recommendations from previous places of work;
• three photographs meeting international standards;
• a passport (or international passport) that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country, as well as copies of all pages;
• bank account statement or other evidence that you have enough funds for the first time;
• payment of the fee (for Russian citizens in 2020 – 155 Canadian dollars or about $117).

After you submit the documents, you will be given a referral for a medical examination. Be prepared for the fact that during the consideration of the case, the consul may call you for a personal conversation.

Please also note that depending on your region, additional documents may be required. For example, in the province of Quebec you need a Certificate of Acceptance for Temporary Work (Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) pour travail temporaire), which must be obtained from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration.

Professions in demand

The Canadian government has compiled a list of the most in-demand professions in the country, which includes about 500 items. You can find the full list here . We will list the most relevant specialties that allow you to participate in the Skilled immigrants (Express Entry) program:

• Medical workers: nurses, general practitioners, veterinarians, cardiologists, massage therapists, laboratory assistants, nutritionists, dentists, physiotherapists, orderlies, pharmacists.
• Engineers and builders: mining, plumbers, geologists, mechanics, aerospace technology, oil workers, industrial production, chemists, electrical engineers, roofers, masons, carpenters, tilers, welders, plasterers, architects.
• Other professions: lawyers, biologists and oceanographers, meteorologists, managers of various fields, equipment operators, butchers, cooks, teachers, physicists, financial specialists, social workers, programmers.

According to Canadian Business research, the list of the most in-demand workers includes engineers, air traffic controllers, network computer analysts, administrators, medical assistants, and mining and forestry workers. There are also many job openings for laborers, sales representatives, accountants, business analysts and crane operators. This is also confirmed by data on the issuance of entry permits through Express Entry , published in 2020.

Features of employment in popular specialties

We will look at just a few examples so that you understand what the employment process in Canada consists of and approximately how long it takes.

1. Vehicle driver

   The country occupies a large area, and the railway network here is poorly developed. Therefore, there is always a need for drivers and truckers. It is not at all difficult for local residents to get such a position: it is enough to have a license and driving experience. For foreigners, everything is complicated by the need to take driving courses in the country and successfully pass an English exam (IELTS test – at least 4 or 5), for which they study for 3-4 months, master local terminology and traffic rules.

   By the way, drivers here are paid very well. But not everyone can withstand such a rhythm: you will have to spend at least 10-12 hours behind the wheel (not to mention truck drivers), have excellent health and considerable experience. Therefore, the staff turnover is very high.

2. Welder

   Due to the rapid development of the country’s cities, this is an equally in-demand profession, which is required both in the construction of high-rise buildings and in the creation of underwater structures. But to work in your specialty, you need to obtain a training certificate in Canada or work here for several years as a welding assistant. Proficiency in English is a must.

   It is also important to be a generalist: be able to work with both hand tools and modern automation. But a good welder with experience earns money in Canada as the director of a small enterprise.

3. Farm workers

   Although many countries do not require any special knowledge, in Canada you have two options: either you get a job as a laborer for low pay and a demanding work schedule, or if you have experience and relevant specialization, you take a higher position, such as a veterinarian or engineer, with a more attractive income. In both cases, good knowledge of English is a necessity.

Salaries in the country

The minimum wage is a mandatory parameter in the Canadian economy, which is revised annually based on the unemployment rate and other factors. There is no single indicator for the country – the level of “minimum wage” varies depending on the province in the range of $8.8-11.33 per hour (hereinafter the amounts are given in American dollars). The highest rate in 2020 was in rugged Nunavut: just over $12. Based on a 40-hour workweek, Canadians earn at least $1,500 a month.

There is also an average wage rate, which in Canada is $20.4/hour. That is, on average, a specialist here receives $3,540 before paying all taxes. Hourly rates vary significantly depending on age (after 25 years – an increase of almost 2 times), gender (men earn $2.6 per hour more), length of work (for part-time workers the rate is $3.8 lower) and type of employment ( permanent employees receive $4.7 more).

Average salaries in various professions (per month before taxes):

• Financiers: $2000-2500 at first. After 5-7 years of work, you can reach a rate of $4500-6000.
• IT specialists: at the start, employees in this area receive about $2,500. But the rate can be significantly higher – in the range of $3500-7000 – depending on the company, project, experience and skills.
• Engineering field: depending on existing experience, skills and specific field, they receive from $2000 to $5500-6000.
• Construction professionals: $2000-3000 on average, but figures can reach $5000-6000 in highly skilled and specialized trades.
• Medicine: doctors – from $5000, nurses – from $2000-2500.
• Agriculture: general workers – from $1500, specialists – about $2500-4500.
• Truckers and drivers – about $3500-4000.
• Teachers, teachers: $2500-5000 depending on location, experience, degree.
• Heavy equipment mechanics, crane and special equipment operators: from $4,000.
• Cooks: from $2500.
• Waiters: on average – $1500-3000 depending on location and length of service. Although, if you have good tips and 5-10 years of experience, the rate may be 2-2.5 times higher. But these are rare cases. Cleaners, farm laborers, and car washers work at the lowest rate of the entire category.

In general, you can earn good money in all industries in Canada. Here your income depends not on the chosen field, but on your skills and experience. Local authorities strive not to create social stratification, and therefore grade salary rates depending on many factors that depend only on the employee.

A few words about taxes

The income tax rate in Canada depends on the salary level and the specific province. On average, the minimum is 15% if the annual salary is not more than $35,000, and the maximum is 33% with an income of $155,000. Additionally, there are contributions to the pension fund (9.9%, of which the employee and employer pay 50/50) and insurance premiums (4.51%, where 1.88% is paid by the employee and 2.63% by the employer).

Read also: Prices in the country: how much does it cost to live in Canada?

Where else to move in search of work?

• USA
• Great Britain
• Finland
• Germany
• Netherlands

As you can see, finding a job in Canada is not such an impossible task: there are many professions in demand, and there are immigration programs. All you need is experience, knowledge in areas relevant to the country, as well as significant efforts to collect all the documents, negotiate with the employer, master the language at the proper level and, if necessary, confirm your qualifications or undergo retraining. In return – more than adequate wages and the opportunity to live comfortably in a beautiful country.