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Work in Canada | Salaries, Requirements, and Job Search Tips
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Work in Canada | Salaries, Requirements, and Job Search Tips

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

Would you like to work in Canada while studying there? You can learn French, explore the country, and earn a living while there! If this sounds like the experience of a lifetime, keep reading!

Working in Canada is an opportunity to grow professionally, study a new language, and to embrace a new culture all at once. While exciting to consider, it’s normal to have questions and uncertainties about living abroad.

Our job here at GrowPro is to help you. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything there is to know to work in Canada, from salaries and jobs in demand to travel requirements and more. Let’s begin!

8 Steps to Work in Canada

woman working on laptop in a cafe

You’ll discover that many blogs and articles online may not thoroughly answer the question of how to work in Canada. Luckily, our GrowPro team has first-hand experience with teaching and helping individuals live, work, and study abroad. We’ve assisted many international students, our “Growers,” make the transition to work in Canada. What we like to do is break the process down, step-by-step, in simple explanations:

1. Decide the Kind of Experience You Want

Aside from receiving an income, consider your expectations once in Canada. Do you want to study a new language, such a French? Would you like to explore the country through adventurous excursions? Make a list of the type of experiences that spark your interest. This can help you prepare in advance for travel and work requirements.

Below are amazing experiences we offer in Canada, all of which allow you to work there. Click to learn more about the opportunities and see which is the best option for you!

2. Choose the City Where You Want to Work

Before you can decide where to work in Canada, take some time to learn the cities and provinces, including the characteristics and the cost of living in each one. This way, you’ll have an idea of which areas best fit your tastes and lifestyle. The most popular cities in Canada are Vancouver,Toronto, Montreal, and Whistler.

3. Get a Visa to Work in Canada

Having a visa is a necessity to live and work in Canada. While there is one main visa, the Visitor Visa, there are several types of permits that allow you to do specific jobs. Each of them has special conditions and requirements, depending on your situation. We will discuss the visa and work permits more in-depth in one of our later sections.

4. Prepare a Resume or CV according to Canadian Standards

When was the last time you updated your resume or CV? This is something you can start on before your trip to Canada. A good rule of thumb is to adapt your resume to the country’s standards of professionalism.

A typical Canadian resume will condense workexperience, training, and skills onto one page. To prepare this, consider making short paragraphs and using bold print to highlight achievements. Also, be sure to include your basic contact information, city location, and availability.

It is also common to add references, such as former colleagues and employers. For more complete information, check out our article on how to prepare a CV in Canada.

5. Open a Bank Account

Your visa was approved! You packed, caught a flight to Canada, and are ready to settle in your new home! Now it’s time to officially open a bank account here. Although this isn’t a mandatory step,having a bank account is very helpful. Most companies in Canada pay their employees through direct deposit.

6. Obtain the Necessary Work Permits

Some job sectors may require titles or special permits to perform certain jobs. For example, someone working in hospitality or food service may need an alcohol sales permit. Make a mental note of positions that interest you to research their requirements in advance.

7. Search for Work

Now that you have a bank account, a new CV, and information on permits, you are ready to start your job search.In a later section of this guide, we’ll cover the most effective ways to search and find work in Canada, as well as provide a list of popular job boards to use.

8. Work and Enjoy this Amazing Country

After following all the steps above, you will secure a job in no time! Your only responsibility moving forward is to stick to your budget and enjoy everything that Canada has to offer. Go for it!

Requirements to Work in Canada

passport on map of canada

Keep in mind, if you’re going to work in Canada, you must have permission to do so. Some programs and educational courses limit or prevent students from working. Others require you to have certain work permits. As you continue reading, we’ll explore these requirements in detail.

Visa that Allows you to Work in Canada

There is only one visa for Canada, the Visitor visa, that allows you to work there. Depending on your situation, you will need specific permits in addition to this visa to work in Canada. We’ll review the main ones below:

Study Permit

This permit allows you to study in Canada for more than six months and work as long as you’re a student. The fee for a study permit is 150 CAD. To qualify, you need:

  • To be enrolled in a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada
  • Proof of financial coverage for tuition fees and living expenses
  • Have good health (may require a medical exam)
  • Confirmation of leaving the country once the study permit expires

Post-graduation Work Permit

To work in Canada after graduation from your studies, you can apply for this permit. For eligibility, you need to have graduated or completed an educational program from an authorized institution in Canada.

The post-graduation work permit costs 155 CAD. You have up to 90 days after completing your course to apply for the postgraduate work permit. The duration of this permit is equivalent to that of your study program, which can range from eight months to three years.

Open Work Permit | Working Holiday Program

Did you know you could fund an extended vacation in Canada with temporary work? Through the International Experience Canada (IEC), also called the “Working Holiday,” you can temporarily live and work in Canada for up to one year in a youth exchange program. You will have an open work permit under this program, which lets you work most jobs in Canada. The cost is 153 CAD, in addition to the biometrics fees. To participate in this program, you need the following requirements:

  • Be between ages 18 and 35
  • Citizenship of the country in which you reside
  • A valid passport from your country of residence
  • Health insurance coverage during your stay
  • Have at least 2,500 CAD to cover your expenses
  • Proof of a round-trip plane ticket (or finances to do so) before departure

Programs to Work in Canada

The Canadian government offers several programs that help foreigners live and work in Canada. The best part is that they offer you both a job and a permanent residency. You can apply for these programs through the Express Entry system, an online system that manages all applications of foreign citizens. The system divides into two categories:

You will also apply for an Open Work Permit under these programs.

Age

To work in Canada, you must be at least 18 years old. This is an essential requirement before applying for your visa and work permit.

Bank Account

In a previous section of this guide, we mentioned the benefit of having a bank account in Canada.Below is a list of the most popular banking entities in Canada:

Opening a bank account is simple. You can visit a branch office of any of these banks with your passport, visa, and proof of Canadian residency.

English Proficiency

Most jobs in Canada may require you to speak and read at an advanced level of English, even for unskilled positions. If you do not speak or understand English well, don’t let that deter you! Remember, living in Canada will immerse you in the language and force you to communicate in English daily. >This immersion, paired with English language classes, are sure to strengthen your proficiency and progression!

Working in Canada without speaking English

It is still possible to find a job without speaking English or with minimal knowledge of the language. Canada is a multicultural country with plenty of immigrant business owners that may speak your native tongue. If you’re a Spanish-speaker, for example, consider applying to Latin-based companies. Self-confidence and determination are the two main factors that impress an employer.

How Much Money Can You Earn in Canada?

canada money with piggy bank

Several different factors can affect your income, such as the city in which you live and the type of job you work. In any case, the good news is that salaries in Canada are high in comparison to other countries in the Americas.

To get an idea of ​​how much you can earn in Canada, let’s take a look at the minimum wage and average salary.

Minimum Wage in Canada

As of 2020, the Canadian minimum wage ranges between 11 CAD and 16 CAD. Keep in mind, this varies between each province and territory.

Average Salary in Canada

Another interesting reference is the average income in Canada, which is 77,700 CAD per year as of 2020.

Salary in Canada for Skilled Jobs

Skilled jobs in Canada often require professional training and a good level of English or French comprehension. Pay rates from these types of jobs range from 24 CAD an hour to 60 CAD an hour, depending on the position and responsibilities.

Most In-demand Job Positions in Canada

colleagues working in office space

In Canada, there is a large supply of jobs across many sectors, where each looks for different types of qualifications. However, certain job sectors are more in demand than others. These include:

  • Information Technology- The most demanded technical profiles belong to this sector, mostly looking for software developers and engineers.
  • Service industry- tourism, restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes
  • Construction
  • Banking and Finance

How to Find Work in Canada

google search to find work in Canada

While networking is an effective way to find a job in Canada,you can also take advantages of online sources, such as job boards and social networks.

Job Search Websites

Check out this helpful list of job boards that cater specifically to Canada:

Facebook Pages of Jobs in Canada

Our GrowPro team has a private Facebook group calledGrowers in Canada. It’s exclusively for adventurous people like you who already live there or plan to move there. This page is a great way to meet other people and get the most out of your experience. Our Growers not only share their experiences but also post job offersin the area. To access this private Facebook group, you must have started an experience with GrowPro.

Other Facebook groups we recommend for finding jobs and networking in Canada are:

Work in Canada with GrowPro Experience

Now that you know everything about working in Canada, it is time to embark on this adventure. But the fun doesn’t stop there! We also offer you a wide range of quality experiences that you can enjoy during your stay. You can click one to create a completely personalized budget for your trip.

Best of all, our GrowPro team provides support once you arrive in Canada. You will receive the best advice from our Student Advisors, a Welcome Session to educate you about the city, and invitations to future social events to meet other international students. If needed, we can even provide transportation from the airport to your accommodation! Plan your trip today!

About the author

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

Hey there! My name is Charlotte, and I'm working as an International Project Manager at GrowPro Experience. My goal is to help students all around the world to live the experiences of a lifetime 🙌🏽. I'm trying to inspire students by means of telling the story of former growers, showing what we are doing at each destination and writing about our cities and tips on our blogs. I got a big passion for adventures, doing sports in the park, learning new languages and seeing new places 🌏. That's one of the reasons why I studied European Studies and why I currently work for GrowPro, to expand my horizons. Hopefully, I can inspire you to do the same!

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