Top Canada Jobs for Immigrants From the US

The last few years have seen a rise in Americans seeking opportunities outside the U.S. While some may prefer to venture to lands far away, this is not always necessary. Instead, a simple leap northwards will lead you to more than just a handful of excellent prospects. This article explores the top Canadian jobs for immigrants from the U.S.

According to Statistics Canada data released on August 25, 2022, there were 1,037,900 vacant positions in June compared to a month earlier when the number of job vacancies in the country stood at around 1,005,700. With vacancies across sectors, for every skill level, in a broad range of occupations, the Canadian labour market is ready to welcome immigrants to fill the significant skills gap left by Canada's sizeable retiring population.

Canadian Sectors With the Most Job Vacancies

Construction

 

 

Canada's construction industry is experiencing steady growth in nearly every province and territory. There are plenty of jobs in every area of construction. These range from site managers to skilled builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, etc.

The number of vacancies: There are currently around 89,200 in the construction sector.

The Health and Social Care Sectors

These two sectors are in dire need of workers. Significant labour shortages have meant that these workers have been under tremendous strain and have more often than not been forced to work overtime, especially since the onset of Covid-19. Almost all Canadian regions seek doctors, nurses, other health workers, social workers and educators.

The number of vacancies: In June, there were 149,700 vacant jobs compared to a month earlier when the number of vacancies stood at 143,400.

Information Technology (IT)

Canada's IT sector is snowballing, with some unexpected regions emerging as tech hubs. This means that demand is high for professionals in this field, from software engineers and developers to web designers, developers, artificial intelligence specialists, etc.

The number of vacancies: Under scientific and technical services, vacancies for June stood at 72,200 for June 2022.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector has job openings across an expansive range of industries. This includes pharmaceuticals, agriculture and wood processing, chemicals, plastics, and the meat industry.

The number of vacancies: The manufacturing sector had over 82,800 in June 2022, compared to the total vacancies in May, which stood at 65,000.

Services sector

Canada's service sector contributes the biggest GDP. It's no surprise then that there are so many vacancies here. There are opportunities for occupations in finance, human resources, marketing, sales, administration, retail, hospitality, and much more.

The number of vacancies: The most recent data shows that employers were actively looking to fill 171,700 in June. This figure is up 6.6% from May. Vacancies in the retail sector rose to 114,400 - 15.3% more than in May.

Jobs Vacancies at Every Skill Level

The great thing about Canada is that there are labour shortages across the board, in every sector, as mentioned above, and for every skill level. Skilled professionals are in great demand, but so are semi-skilled and low-skilled or unskilled workers. This means that there is something for everyone.

Top in-demand Jobs In Canada

High Skill

Electrical engineers Software developers Accountants Network administrators Doctors

Intermediate Skill

Registered nurse Financial advisors Project manager Veterinarian

Semi-skilled and low skilled

• Executive housekeeper
• Food and beverage servers
• Industrial electricians
• Long-haul truck driver
• Front desk hotel manager
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters
• General farm workers
• Livestock workers
• Welders
• Pipefitters

 Ready to Start? Apply Now

Working in Canada

 

Now that you have an idea of the abundance of available jobs in Canada, you should be aware that to work in Canada as a U.S. citizen, you will need a Canadian work permit.

What is a Work Permit?

A work permit is a legal document that foreign nationals must obtain to be legally employed in Canada. There are two kinds of Canadian work permits: the open work permit and the employer-specific work permit.

Open Work Permit

An open work permit will allow you to be employed by any Canadian employer of your choice. This will, however, exclude:

• An employer has been identified to be ineligible as per Canada's list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions
• Employers offering adult services such as strip shows, erotic dancing, escort services, erotic massaging, etc.

Remember: You can only get an open work permit in specific situations. The tool on this page will tell you if you're eligible for one.

Employer-specific Work Permit

An employer-specific work permit will allow you to be employed in line with conditions stated on your work permit. This includes:

• The details of the employer you will be able to work for
• The amount of time you will be allow to work for
• The specific location you will work in

Before can apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must provide you with:

• a copy of your employment contract
• a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) OR
• an offer of employment number (this applies to LMIA-exempt workers)

What is an LMIA?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer may be required to apply for before hiring a foreign national to fill a vacancy. A positive LMIA shows a need for a foreign worker. However, it will also highlight there were no Canadians to fill this vacancy. As soon as your employer gets this document, you'll be able to apply for your work permit. To apply for your work permit, you'll need:

• An offer of employment
• An employment contract
• A copy of the LMIA
• A LMIA number

CUSMA

A great option for U.S. Citizens to work in Canada is via Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement CUSMA. U.S. and Mexican nationals are able to dodge the red tape to be employed or do business in the north. This agreement allows workers, traders, and investors entry into Canada without having to go through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. Prior to July 1, 2020, CUSMA was known as NAFTA - the North American Free Trade Agreement.

CUSMA categories

• CUSMA Professionals - This program is for U.S. ( or Mexican) citizens who have obtained a valid Canadian offer of employment in one of the following occupations in medicine, science, and education, along with some other professions. If your application is approved, you will be granted a LMIA-exempt Canadian work permit. You will need to provide your credential in order to qualify.
• CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers - This program is for U.S. (or Mexican) nationals wishing to move to a Canadian branch of the company they are employed by. You will get a temporary Canadian work visa if your application is successful. This is usually reserved for highly-skilled professionals like managers, executives, or employees who are specialists in their fields.
• CUSMA Traders - This program is for traders involved in a deal wherein more than 50 percent of this deal is happening between Canada, the States and Mexico.
• CUSMA Investors - This program is a great opportunity for investing in Canada. You will have to make a big investment into either a new or an existing business in Canada. Work permits in this category could be granted to essential staff of the company.

You can apply for a CUSMA work permit at a Canadian port of entry, if you arrive from the states. This does not apply to CUSMA Investors.

Get Started Today

Ready for the Opportunities Waiting up North?

Canada has excellent opportunities for U.S. citizens. And the best thing is, it's just north of the border. So if you are all set on finding those exciting prospects in the land of the maple leaf, start researching your field and make sure you're eligible before you start applying to work in Canada.
 

FAQS

I Want to Move Towards a More Permanent Stay in Canada. How Can I do This?

It's possible. Coming to Canada as a foreign worker will be to your advantage if you plan on immigrating. The country has many economic class immigration streams for those with Canadian work experience. Suppose you'd like to apply for Canadian permanent residency. In that case, you may want to have a look at two of the most common options, the Express Entry system or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

How do I go About Finding a Job in Canada?

Before applying for a job, you will first have to find your profession's National Occupational Classification code. This will determine your eligibility to be employed in Canada or eventually apply for Canadian immigration. Jobs have a specific code. You will find the code for the job on the Canadian government website. Remember that your occupation could have a different name in Canada, so double-check the Canadian term for it, as well as the associated duties, as these need to align. Getting the right NOC is vital. Your application could be rejected if the code is incorrect and doesn't match your skill set and experience.

Which Programs Make Up the Express System?

The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) is for those working in a profession that requires a degree. Eligible occupations include doctors, accountants, and tech workers. The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for applicants who work in a trade where a diploma or job-specific training is needed. Occupations eligible include carpenters, electricians and plumbers.

The Canada Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled foreign workers who have lived and worked in Canada for a minimum of 12 months. This program provides opportunities for those who may not quite meet the requirements of the other two express entry programs but will allow them to live and work in Canada for more than a year through visa programs like The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Visa.