New Answers: 11 Fantastic Questions from Immigrants in Canada

Jobs and Live Solutions answers the top 11 questions we received from immigrants in Canada. Getting a visa and/or a job in Canada is a relatively straightforward process, once you get used to how it works.

Question 1: How To Get A Job Offer In Canada?

Getting a job in Canada is a relatively straightforward process, once you get used to how it works. How to get a job offer in Canada can be broken down into 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Do your research

Research the sector in which your occupation falls, how it operates and get to know some of the Canadian companies in that sector. This will help you build rapport with recruiters and open up opportunities.

Step 2: Pick a location

Each Province in Canada has its own requirements and in-demand jobs. For a better breakdown of what jobs are in demand and where look at the map in Question 2.

Step 3: Localise and send off your resume

Ensure your resume is clear, up to date and verifiable.

Question 2: What Are The Most In-demand Jobs for Immigrants In Canada?

Currently, the most in-demand positions for everybody, not just immigrants in Canada are:

• IT and Support Desk Specialists;
• Administrative Assistants;
• Cyber Security Specialists;
• Web Developers;
• Mobile Application Developers;
• Big Data Scientists and Data Analysts;
• Digital Marketing Specialists;
• Logistics/Transportation Managers;
• Early Education Workers; and
• Health Care Support Workers for Seniors.

However, the most in-demand jobs differ from province to province.

Question 3: Can I Move To Canada Without A Job Offer?

Yes. Multiple programs allow immigrants without a clear job offer to move to Canada.

The three most popular of these programs are:

1. The Express Entry Program

This program considers factors such as age, marital status, education, and work experience and scores them based on Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Applicants with the highest CRS scores are presented with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The following Express Entry programs do not require a job offer:

• The Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

This program is specifically for applicants with a university degree.

• The Canada Experience Class (CEC)

This is for applicants who have already been living and working in Canada for the last 12 months.

2. Provincial Nominee Program

Successful Provincial Nominees get an extra 600 CRS points, meaning a provincial nomination will almost guarantee you a CRS score to get your ITA. You must prove you can make a significant contribution to the culture and economy of your chosen province.

3. Family or Spousal Sponsorship

If you have a family member, spouse, conjugal or common-law partner living in Canada, they can sponsor you, letting you live and work in Canada with them.

The sponsor must be over 18, cannot be receiving or need any social assistance and has to prove they can financially provide for the applicant’s basic needs.

Question 4: What Is An LMIA, And Do I Need To Get One?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assessing what effects hiring foreign workers will have in Canada.

A Canadian employer looking to provide work in Canada for foreigners needs an LMIA to prove they could not fill the occupation with the local workforce.

Question 5: What Is An Open Work Permit in Canada? And how is an open work permit different from a closed work permit?

An open work permit in Canada allows you to work for any employer in Canada.

A closed work permit or Employer-specific work permit allows you to work in Canada. However, it must be to a specific employer, set to the specifications of the permit, like the length and location of the job.

An open work permit in Canada is generally only given to university graduates or highly skilled professionals. In contrast, those looking to work in semi-skilled or unskilled labour will likely need a closed work permit.

Question 6: How Can I Get A Working Visa?

How to get a Canadian working visa is a relatively simple process once you know how to get a job offer in Canada. Gaining a working visa or work permit happens in 3 steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Work Permit

You must choose to apply for an open or closed permit.

Step 2: Check your eligibility

To get a work permit, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• You must prove you will leave Canada once your work permit expires.
• You need proof of sufficient funds to both support yourself (and dependants) in Canada and return home.
• You must have a clear criminal record.
• You must submit the results of a medical exam to prove you’re in good health.
• Show your employer has the means and need to employ you.

Step 3: Submit your Application

Send all the documents required on the government checklist and submit them to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IIRC).

Question 7: How Can A Work Visa Lead To Immigration?

Once you know how to get a Canadian working visa you may be wondering how to turn your working visa into a permanent residency.

The most popular and arguably the easiest way to do this is via the CEC program. However, you can only apply for this program if you’ve been able to live and work in Canada for at least 12 months.

Question 8: Is There Work In Canada For Foreigners That Doesn’t Require A Work Permit?

Yes. There are various jobs in Canada, such as Aviation Accident or Incident Inspectors that don’t require a work permit.

Question 9: What Is A Good Salary In Canada?

In Canada, as with any country, there’s a wide array of salaries. However, what’s considered a good salary in Canada is $52,260 per year or $26.80 per hour. Entry-level salaries tend to be around $31,546 per year while more experienced positions fetch around $133,103 per year.

Question 10: What Are The Top 5 Best-Paying Jobs In Canada That Don’t Require A Degree?

• Construction manager – An average construction worker in Canada earns $101,361 per year.

• Plumber – An average plumber working in Canada earns $74,270.

• Real estate agent – An average real estate agent in Canada earns $74,137 per year.

• Mechanic – An average auto mechanic in Canada earns $71,695 per year.

• Welders – An average welder in Canada earns $61,669 per year.

Question 11: What Is A NOC Code And How Does It Affect My Immigration?

NOC stands for National Occupational Classification. It’s the metric with which the Government of Canada classifies different occupations based on their educational requirements, skill types, skill level, experience and level of responsibility.

NOC skill types are broken down as follows:

• NOC 0 Management positions generally require both high-level qualifications and experience. Examples include office managers, CEOs and managing directors.
• NOC A Professional positions generally require a degree to obtain. Examples include doctors, lawyers and accountants.
• NOC B Trade positions that generally require a diploma or at least job-specific qualifications.
• NOC C Semi-skilled employment generally requires a high school education or some job-specific training. Examples include industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers or food and beverage servers.
• NOC D Labour employment that only really requires on-the-job training. Examples include cleaning staff, oil field workers and fruit pickers.

Different NOC types determine your CRS score, your eligibility for a work permit and which provinces you’re likely to get a PNP for.