Working in Canada

To work in Canada, you either need a work visa or a permanent residence permit. But how does working in Canada, well, work? How many hours do you work per week with a full-time contract? How much PTO (paid time off) do you get in Canada? And how do you find a job in the first place? In this article, we look at these questions and more.

If you are looking to live and work in Canada, you should have a general understanding of which professions are particularly sought after. If your job is on that list, you can qualify for permanent residence as a skilled worker. To combat its skilled labour shortage, Canada has special programmes for skilled workers. You can find out more about the different types of (work) visas in Canada here.

The most important industries for the Canadian economy include biotechnology, forestry and the chemical sector. However, due to its skilled labour shortage, Canada is also on the lookout for skilled tradespeople, IT specialists and healthcare professionals.

Sought after professions in Canada include:

• Oil sands workers
• Lorry and agricultural machinery mechanics
• Road builders
• Roofers
• IT specialists
• Doctors
• Carers

If you work in one of the above professions, you will have a good chance of finding a job in Canada. You also have the option of securing a limited work visa for other professions.

What is it like to work in Canada? How much do you make on average, and how many hours do you have to work?

According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the average annual wages in Canada are the equivalent of around 57,000 euros – which is a little higher than in Germany. Women make slightly less than men. Salaries in Canada vary depending on the job. The best-paid professions include engineering, technical, and medical professions such as doctors and psychiatrists. If you are in the wood working industry, for instance, you can earn the equivalent of around 32,000 euros.

As an employee in Canada, you get an average of two to three weeks’ holiday, depending on how many years you have been with the company that employs you. A full-time work contract requires you to work 40 hours a week, which is the same as in Germany.

If you want to live and work in Canada, you should start looking for a job from Germany. Canada has several job portals. Some job postings are even aimed at foreign candidates. This way, you and your potential employer know what to expect when it comes to the visa process later on. You can look for jobs in Canada via the Canadian government’s Job Bank or the German Canadian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

The job ad usually tells you which documents you need for your application, but these are the basics:

• Cover letter
  Your cover letter should be no longer than one page.
• Resume/CV
  Your resume/CV should also be no longer than one page. You do not need to include a photo or details about your age, nationality, marital status or religion.
• Job references
  Unlike in Germany, you are not required to include any diplomas or certificates, unless the employer asks for them. You do, however, need to include references from your previous employers. Please make sure to have them translated into English and certified as needed.

Do not shy away from showing initiative and asking your potential employer which documents you need for your job application. If you include any certificates or mention school grades in your CV, please put them in context by providing some background information or equivalents. Ideally, you should also have your school reports translated and certified. This will give your potential employer a better understanding of your school grades and subjects. If you already have a document that verifies your language skills, go ahead and send it along with the rest of your job application.

Please make sure to write your application in flawless English or French. Consider having it proofread by professional translators as well. Once you have all your documents ready to go in English or French, you can submit your job application.

To live and work in Canada for a limited period of time (e.g., work and travel, au pair), you need a work visa. There are two types of work visas in Canada:

• Employer-specific work permit
  This is the right choice for you if you already have a job lined up in Canada. This permit contains the name of your employer, the duration of your employment and your place of work. The date listed on your work permit tells you when you are required to leave the country.
• Open work permit
  This type of work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada. However, it is only granted in rare exceptions.

To qualify, you need to meet the following requirements:

• You must prove that you will leave Canada as soon as your work permit expires.
• You must also prove that you have sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay in Canada and your return journey.
• You may be required to provide a certificate of good conduct.
• You must not pose a threat to the Canadian government or the Canadian public.
• You must be in good health. In fact, the Canadian government may require you to provide proof of good health.

The “employer-specific work permit” is the most frequently issued type of work visa, i.e., your most likely option. You can apply once you have a job and a signed employment contract. You will then receive the following documents from your future employer:

• A copy of your employment contract
• A copy of the “Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)” or the relevant job code

You are responsible for the following documents:

• Your passport
• Two passport photos
• Degrees, certificates, work references
• A valid eTA (aka visitor visa)
• A filled out document checklist

All your documents must be translated into English. Plus, you need to have your certificates and diplomas certified. Please check to see if you need an apostille for any particular document. If so, you will have to have the apostille translated as well.

Do you have everything ready to go? If so, you can fill in your online application, which contains several forms. After that, you pay your visa fees.

The competent committee will then either reject or approve your work permit, or decide to invite you to an interview first. If you are granted a work permit, you will receive a “Letter of Introduction” from the Canadian government. This permits you to enter the country.

Fees: approx. 155 CAD (approx. 100 euros)

Processing time: approx. 3 months