Service With a Smile: How to Work in Canada’s Hospitality Sector

Canada is any foodies’ dream destination. With its highly diverse culture, you can find specialty cuisines from all around the world and of course, a bowl of hot Canadian poutine around every street corner. The food industry in Canada is a billion-dollar industry; new restaurants open their doors every month and food sales at restaurants are on the rise.  That means more servers and server supervisors/managers in Canada are needed than ever before. If you have been working in the hospitality industry, you may qualify to immigrate to Canada. Learn more about working in Canada’s hospitality sector below:

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Server

1. Identify Your NOC Code

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) framework consists of a skill level and four-digit code for every occupation in the labor market. NOC Codes are used to classify jobs by the Canadian Government, Provinces, and Territories to pinpoint which occupations are in-demand in the area, and more importantly, which programs you can apply through to immigrate to Canada as a server. As shown below, servers are classed as NOC Code 6513 under skill level C for intermediate skilled positions.

Job Title	NOC Code	Skill Level
Food and Beverage Servers	6513	C

2. Discover Eligible Immigration Programs and Streams

Those who are classed as NOC code skill level C can be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Stream of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and some Provincial Nominee Programs as well as work in Canada as a server with a Working Holiday Visa. 

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)

The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP) is a subcategory of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program that aims to help Canada’s Atlantic region bring international workers with intermediate skills, like servers, to the Eastern Canadian provinces to fill gaps in the labor market. Successful candidates who apply through the AISP will be granted permanent residency status in Canada. Another great advantage of the AISP is that employers in Canada do not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) form to hire international servers.  AISP Eligibility Criteria Applicants must have:  - Work experience as a server -  A valid job offer from an employer  - A High school diploma - English or French  language proficiency - Enough funds to settle in the countryFind out if you’re eligible to immigrate to Canada through the Atlantic Pilot

Working Holiday Visa

A Working Holiday Visa does not allow you to gain permanent residency in Canada, but it does allow you to work freely in Canada as a server for up to 12-24 months. This is a great way to get a taste of life in Canada before you move there permanently! When your Working Holiday Visa expires and you decide to apply for permanent residency, you’ll already have made friends; know which city you’d like to call home and have connections with employers in Canada.  Learn more about the Working Holiday Season in Canada for 2020. 

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Food Service Manager

Foodservice managers are classed as NOC code 0631 under skill level 0 for managerial positions in the National Occupation Classification, as shown below.

Job Title	NOC Code	Skill Level
Restaurant and Food Service Managers	0631	0

1. Express Entry

One of the best immigration programs for Food Service Managers is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which is a category under the popular Express Entry System that fast tracks immigration in as little as 6 months! To apply for this program, you must create an Express Entry profile and meet the eligibility criteria. Express Entry profiles are scored according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which measures criteria listed below.  CRS Criteria Awards Points For: Age CLB Language proficiency (English and French) Level of Education (In and outside Canada) Work Experience (In and outside Canada) Arranged employment Provincial Nomination achieved Sibling in Canada Your spouse’s profile (if married)

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Alternatively, there are provinces in Canada with a high demand for Food Service Managers. Each province has its own special immigration programs and streams (more than 60) that allow foreign nationals to apply directly to the Provincial Governments.

Top 3 Canadian Provinces That Need Food Service Managers
Province/Territory	Immigration Stream	Average Annual Salary
Alberta, Edmonton	Alberta Express Entry Stream Alberta Opportunity Stream	$41,000
British Columbia, Vancouver	International Skilled Worker Category	$43,728
New Brunswick, Moncton	New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Labour Market Stream New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Skilled Workers With Employer Support Stream	$33,659

How We Can Help You Move to Canada 

Canadian immigration is a lengthy and difficult process with countless documents and stacks of paperwork to complete and submit before immigration program deadlines. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are immigration strategists. That means they can help you find the best immigration program for you (and your family) to move to Canada.     Using an RCIC will make the entire process simple and stress-free. We handle the paperwork while you choose your dream job in Canada. All you have to do is fill out our application form to receive your assessment today and we’ll take care of the rest. It's just that simple.  Start Your Journey