Work in Canada for Foreigners: Top Companies Hiring in 2023

June 22, 2023

Shireen Fisher

The Great White North continues to be the top work-abroad and immigration destination of choice for foreign workers from across the globe. And fortunately, due to the country's ongoing skills shortages brought on by a large retiring population and dwindling birth rate, you will find abundant opportunities in this land of maple leaves. So if you want to work in Canada, you will naturally want to find the best home for your professional talent. In this article, we look at a list of the top companies in Canada.

Top Sectors to Work in Canada in 2023

The demand for skilled foreign workers stretches across sectors. Most notably, there has been a dire need for skilled foreigners within the following industries over the past few years. So when looking at jobs in Canada for foreigners, explore these sectors:

Tech
Finance
Hospitality
Transportation
Service
Healthcare

Most of the top companies hiring foreigners in Canada are located in the best provinces to work in. These include Toronto, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. These are, however, only some of the provinces offering foreigners opportunities for work in Canada.

Top Companies in Canada in 2023

Are you ready to work in Canada? We have found that Great Place to Work's Best Workplaces in Canada Report lists some of Canada's most trusted brands and companies. The data collected is based on input submitted by more than 500,000 Canadian employees. With the abundance of employment opportunities for skilled foreign workers in the Great White North, here is a breakdown of the top companies currently hiring in Canada.

Below are the top 10 companies to work for in Canada. These companies have over 1,000 employees, according to Great Place to Work's Best Workplaces in Canada 2023 report.

Top 10 Companies in Canada in 2023
Company	Sector
1. Cisco	Information Technology
2. Admiral Insurance	Financial Services and Auto Insurance
3. Salesforce	Information Technology/Software
4. Intuit Canada	Information Technology/Software
5. NVIDIA	Information Technology/Software
6. Slalom	Professional Services
7. SAP Canada	Information Technology/Software
8. CGI	Information Technology/Software
9. Deloitte	Professional Services
10. DHL Express (Canada), Ltd.	Transportation

How to Apply to Work in Canada

To be able to work in Canada legally, you will need a Canadian work permit. And if you would like to make your stay in this land of maple leaves more permanent, you can apply to one of the many pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

You will have to meet several requirements to be able to apply for a Canadian work permit, regardless of the type of Canadian work permit you apply for. These are as follows:

You must prove that you will leave Canada once your work permit expires
You must prove that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself and any dependants that accompany you
You must have funds to return home
You must be a law-abiding individual with no criminal record
You cannot be a danger to Canada's security
You must be in good health
You must not find employment with an employer deemed "ineligible" by Canadian authorities
You must not seek employment with an employer who offers adult services
You must be able to provide Canadian officials with the relevant documentation should they ask for proof that you can enter the country

If you are looking at the bigger picture, and are considering replanting your roots in Canada, check out some of these popular pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency:

Step 2: Apply For a Work Visa or Immigration Program

Canadian work permits are issued by the Canadian government and granted only to eligible workers. There are two types of work permits: the Open Work permit and the Employer-specific work permit.

An Open Work Permit allows you to be employed by any employer in Canada. But there are exceptions. You cannot work for an employer who:

Is found to be ineligible on the IRCC's list of employers deemed non-compliant
Offers adult services

An Employer-specific Work Permit allows you to work in Canada strictly according to the conditions stated on your work permit. You can work for one specific employer in one location for a set period.

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

A copy of your contract of employment
A copy of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Your offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)

Step 3: Gather Your Supporting Documents

Whether you plan to apply for PR or a work visa, you must gather and eventually submit documents supporting the information your application supplied. Suppose you intend to apply for permanent residency through programs like the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee program. You only need to submit these once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR. If you apply for a work visa, you will need to submit your supporting documents and your application.

Step 4: Submit Your Online Application

Applying to work in Canada is best done online for two reasons: It is more efficient and quicker. It is important to make sure that your application is complete to avoid having your application returned and avoid delays.

Benefits of Working in Canada

Canada is a top destination for foreigners looking to work abroad. Here are some benefits of working in this North American land of milk and honey.

Paid Leave

Most Canadians have an incredible work-life balance. This is due to the 40-hour work weeks and the incredible paid leave days Canadian employers offer. You are entitled to a minimum of 14 days off, per year, after completing a year's continuous employment with the same employer.

Expecting parents can look forward to up to 40 weeks of paid leave of 55% of their salary. You will also get at least two weeks of paid vacation for every year worked. After five years of employment, your annual leave will increase to 3 weeks; after ten years, you will be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation.

Employment Opportunities

As mentioned previously, Canada offers incredible work opportunities for foreign workers. According to the Labour Force Survey, May 2023, released on June 9, 2023, the unemployment rate in the country currently stands at 5.2%. The report also shows a steady number of workers in the private and public sectors. Check out the top 10 in-demand jobs in Canada.

Great Salaries

Canada has the highest average minimum wage in North America. Statistics Canada says the average salary is about 59,059 CAD annually or 1,212,58 CAD weekly. Some of the highest-earning professions, according to Talent.com, include:

Pharmacists - 95,316 CAD per year
Software Engineers - 110,000 CAD per year
Lawyer - 111,835 CAD per year
Project Engineer - 121,889 CAD per year
Doctor - 230,000 CAD per year

Get Ready to Live and Work in Canada

Now that you know more about the best companies to work for in Canada, some of the best provinces to work in, and some of the top immigration programs and visas to consider, the next step is taking the first step in your Canadian journey. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants are at hand to guide you through the entire process so that you can make your Canadian dream a reality.

FAQs

What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

Before a Canadian employer can hire you, they must get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This will prove that there are no suitable Canadian citizens or residents to fill the skills gap in the company.

I'm a Recent Graduate. How do I Get a Job in Canada as a Foreigner?

You are already in a far better position than most other applicants if you have a solid academic background and some professional experience. However, suppose you are a recent graduate or a new immigrant. In that case, you can apply to live and work in Canada through programs like the Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), Express Entry System, or the Provincial Nominee Program.