How to Get a Job in Canada from India? (Top Tips)
The job market and high standard of living are one of the most lucrative things about Canada. Indians, especially, have been immigrating to Canada for job opportunities for several decades.
So if you’re wondering how to get a job in Canada from India, you’ve come to the right place.
Finding a job in Canada is easy once you’re in the country. However, the real challenge is to find the right employer in your field and meet the requirements for a work permit.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to land a job in Canada.
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Why Is Canada a Good Place for Indians to Work?
Thanks to the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, Indians find that migrating to Canada is a great way to improve their living conditions and general standard of living.
One of the best reasons why the Land of Maple Syrup is such a good place for Indians to work is because of the country’s lenient visa policy.
Another reason why skilled workers from India move to Canada is the relatively straightforward PR process. Yet, probably the most common reason is the country’s ideal working and living conditions.
The work culture in Canada is quite diverse, which is probably why it keeps getting stronger year after year.
Notable Job Markets in Canada
As I mentioned above, the job market in the Great White North, aka Canada, is very much thriving and has been for several decades in a wide range of fields and industries.
Finding a job may be easy once you have a work permit, but it’s landing a job offer from India that can be a bit tricky.
Therefore, it’s important to have an immigration consultation to know your options for getting a work permit. Next, research the job market to see which positions you can apply for based on your credentials. This way, you have time to fill in any missing visa requirements while adding to your work experience.
I rounded up a brief list of the most common job positions available in Canada and the provinces where they’re in high demand.
Take a look.
- Accountants: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan
- Architects: Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan
- Dentists: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario
- Doctors: Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan
- Lawyers: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
- Nurses: Nova Scotia
- Software Engineers: British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan
- Teachers: Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
- Web Developers: Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan
Salary Ranges for Various Professions in Canada
Below are average annual salary ranges for some of the top occupations in the country as dictated by the national employment service, also known as the ‘Job Bank.’
- Data entry operator: C$27,300–$45,822
- Sales assistant: C$30,064–$51,957
- Construction worker: C$35,100–$54,613
- Computer network technician: C$36,137–$65,000
- Computer programmer: C$46,800–$77,218
- Account manager: C$47,500–$100,000
- Export sales manager: C$68,250–$90,046
- Computer systems analyst: C$68,250–$95,000
- Software engineer: C$78,000–$139,871
- Chief Technology Officer: C$100,000–$170,606
How to Get a Work Permit in Canada?
There are multiple ways to acquire a work permit in Canada.
I spoke to a few Indians living in Canada and asked how they got a work permit and found a job here.
What seems to be the most common answer is that they first arrived here on a study visa.
Although the Canada study visa and tuition fees for international students are quite expensive, a study permit often comes with a work permit. In other words, you can study and work at the same time.
Moreover, your chances of getting permanent residency after having Canadian education and work experience increase significantly.
Therefore study visa can be a great option for you to get your foot in the door if you don’t qualify for Express Entry. (more on that below)
So let’s dive in.
Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is the quickest and most convenient way to apply for permanent residency (PR) which allows you to live and work in Canada.
This program operates under the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is a department within the Canadian government responsible for dealing with anything related to immigrants.
The Express Entry program uses a points system. You’ll receive points based on your age, education, language skills, work experience and other factors.
I should mention that while having a job already lined up can earn you extra points during the application process, it’s not compulsory.
The migration process can still happen without a job offer in Canada. All you need is to meet the eligibility requirements for Canada’s permanent residency.
Next, the points are added together to determine eligibility in one of the three Express Entry subcategories: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program or Canadian Experience Class.
If you have enough points to be eligible to apply for Express Entry, you can create an Express Entry profile to be considered in the Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada.
Check Canada’s official website to find out if you meet the minimum criteria to apply for Express Entry.
One of the best things about this program is that it fills the employment gap by allowing skilled professionals to move to Canada and boost the job market. So in return, you’ll get an opportunity to work and live in Canada, so it’s a win-win.
However, this immigration program is very competitive, and you’ll need to have high points to qualify.
Provincial Nominee Programs
The rules and regulations for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are different for each province.
During the evaluation process, the various occupations in that area are looked into as well as the province’s job market is taken into consideration.
Thus, candidates can only be provided with a PR status only when the eligibility for that specific province is met. It also means that once the PR status is acquired, a candidate can only work in that province.
Quebec Skilled Workers Program
The Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP) is designed for skilled workers who intend to settle in the province of Quebec.
The eligibility requirements are a bit more relaxed than other immigration programs. However, for this program, you’ll need to speak in French. The applicants must also meet other criteria such as language ability, education, and work experience.
Those who qualify for this program will receive an invitation letter from Immigration
Under the Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP), the PR status is for Quebec province only. So, the first step is to seek approval from the province of Quebec first, followed by the federal government.
Temporary Work Permits
Although a temporary work permit doesn’t grant you permanent residency, it might be a good short-term solution that can eventually lead to PR. Temporary work permits usually grant you an option to work in Canada for a year.
The only downside is that a work permit or temporary visa has a limited time span. So, if you’re working a good job with plenty of growth opportunities, you risk losing that job when the visa expires, and you’re unable to renew them in time.
Having a PR status may take a bit longer, but it’s issued for five years and can be easily renewed.
So what are your options for a temporary work permit if you want to move to Canada from India?
To obtain temporary visas, you can look into the following visa options:
- Study Visa that comes with a work permit
- Temporary Foreign Workers Program – The company will first need to get Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they can hire you. It’s basically a document that proves there are no other qualified Canadians or permanent residents that can do a job you’re applying for.
How Can You Apply for a Job in Canada from India?
Canada is full of potential employers and job opportunities. What makes this possible is the combination of attractive salaries and growth prospects.
But just as with any job application, applying for one in Canada requires time, effort, and patience.
Whether before or after getting your PR status, landing a job in Canada can be done in a few ways.
Below are some common ways to find a job in any Canadian province.
Express Entry Job Pool
This job pool is the most reliable online website to look for jobs in Canada because it has a massive database of employers searching for ideal candidates to fill vacancies in their companies. Yet, it’s geared mostly toward workers who have acquired substantial work experience throughout their careers.
The portal is filled with verified, quality job opportunities. Not only that, but you’d also be able to access trustworthy employers who rely on overseas recruitment firms to provide them with employees who have unique skill sets.
Then, when you’re chosen by a company registered in the express entry job pool, your employer will submit an application for your immigration. This will go a long way in helping secure your Canada immigration procedure.
International Transfer by a Company
As you can guess from the name, this option only works if you already work for an international organization in India. Not only that, but this company also has to have its headquarters, or even one of its branches, set up in Canada.
Of course, there are several criteria you have to meet before you qualify, like your overall performance at the company and how much your employers value your work.
This option is best suited for those who have had several years of experience working at that enterprise. They should also have clear intentions that they’ll continue to work there once they’ve made their way to Canada.
Applying via Online Job Portals
Thanks to today’s limitless access to the Internet, looking for jobs online has become increasingly popular. You can check online job boards, such as Indeed and Glassdoor.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when applying for jobs via these portals.
First, you have to be aware that these job portals aren’t the most reliable because there’s not much control over who posts what.
Plus, there isn’t any type of mediator or go-between to verify whether these companies are legit or not. You have to do your due diligence and check the company’s background on your own.
Applying through job boards also means that you’re competing with many other applicants. So it might be beneficial to apply directly on the company’s website to generate quicker responses and avoid the middleman.
Networking
To be able to keep up with today’s fast job market and get noticed by prospective employers, you need to make use of what’s known as a multi-channel approach. This is when you post your CV on multiple networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Nexxt, and Mediabistro.
Pro Tip: Create an ATS-Optimized Canadian Style CV
Drafting your resume may sound easy enough, but it takes some skills to create that one CV that captures the attention of employers and job recruiters.
Keep in mind that each company you apply to receives thousands of CVs. So, you have to find ways to make yours shine.
One way to do that is to make your CV ATS-friendly by adding the right formatting, keywords, and photos. To streamline the filtering process, companies use something called the Application Tracking System (ATS) to sort resumes and zero in on the ones that look most promising.
Also, keep in mind that it’ll look more professional if you use a Canadian resume format.
You can hire a job consultant to help you craft an eye-catching professional resume.
How Long Does it Take to Find a Job in Canada from India?
According to one survey, it takes about 16 weeks on average of daily searches and tireless job applications before you can secure a job in Canada.
The survey also found out that most of the participants said they only applied to a dozen job postings before they got the reply they were waiting for.
What Are Some of the Challenges of Finding a Job in Canada Without PR?
Despite having a booming job market, there are still some challenges that come with finding jobs in Canada.
For starters, you have to be aware that any job being offered to immigrants from India will only be provided if and when there’s a shortage of skilled Canadian workers available to fill the position.
In other words, only after employers have exhausted all possibilities of hiring Canadians first will they look to hire migrant professionals.
Another challenge that comes with this process is that if a company does hire you from India to work for them, you’ll need to wait for weeks or even months to get the visa and work permit approved before you can actually come and join their company in person.
A Final Note
Indians have been migrating to Canada for over a century, and the job market is still going strong.
This country, with its diverse landscape and breathtaking panorama, has been viewed as the perfect place for professionals and skilled workers looking for a bright career in a variety of fields.
Yet, sometimes, getting a job in Canada from India may not be as easy as people make it out to be.
That’s why it pays to do your research and know your options on how to get a job in Canada from India, but most importantly, the work permit.
