Working in Canada not only comes with high salaries but also a chance to live in one of the safest countries in the world. It is a peaceful destination with many work opportunities, universal healthcare, and a strong economy. The wide variety of climates and stunning landscapes are hard to match.
As part of the Commonwealth, Canada attracts foreign nationals from every nation, creating a welcoming space for multicultural communities. To work there, you will need a work permit or a valid visa, which are documents issued by the Canadian government.
This article covers how to start your career in Canada, including the average salaries, work hours, and the best career prospects.
Read more about:
- Benefits of Working in Canada
- Salaries in Canada
- Taxes in Canada
- Working Hours and Employment Rights in Canada
- Language Proficiency
Why work in Canada?
There are different ways for foreign nationals to start working in Canada. The work visa is a temporary work permit that often requires a job offer from a Canadian employer. Whereas, other immigration pathways can lead to long-term stay and permanent residence, such as the Start-up Visa, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Based on our Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report at Global Citizen Solutions, Canada remains one of the most sought-after destinations for immigrants due to its investor-friendly policies and high quality of life. As part of the Commonwealth, Canada has a wide cooperation network with member countries, which can lead to lower trade costs, high investment, and trade potential.
Benefits of Working in Canada
The job market in Canada offers many advantages. You can enjoy a well-developed economy, a strong social safety net, and growth potential.
High average salary
Many high-paying jobs are available for foreign nationals, especially in technology, finance, healthcare, law, and logistics.
Flexible work policies
People value work-life balance and offer different arrangements such as working remotely in Canada, flexible work hours, hybrid work models, job sharing, and part-time work.
Access to Employment Insurance (EI)
After working between 420 and 700 insurable hours, you can get Employment Insurance (EI) for temporary income support.
International work experience
Canada is one of the most culturally diverse countries, offering a unique experience for foreign nationals to obtain the necessary skills for career advancement, expand their network, and learn new languages.
Personal safety
Canada is a safe country with relatively low crime rates, a stable political environment, and strong gun control laws.
How is one eligible to work in Canada?
To work in Canada, you will need a work permit or to qualify under an immigration program, such as the Start-up Visa, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), each with its own eligibility requirements, allowing you to work legally for a specific period.
The Canadian work permit, also known as a work visa, is a temporary document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are two types: the employer-specific work permit (often requires a job offer and Labour Market Impact Assessment – LMIA, a document showing that a Canadian employer has tried and failed to find a suitable Canadian worker for the job) and the open work permit (allows you to work for any Canadian employer and different job types). After the work permit ends, you must leave Canada.
Permanent residence allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada indefinitely. You can enjoy most of the same rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens, except you can’t vote or hold a Canadian Passport. Immigration programs like Start-up Visa, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can lead to permanent residence and provide the ultimate Canadian work experience. The table below offers a quick look at the following categories.
| Immigration option | Eligibility | Requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | Foreign nationals who want to work temporarily. | – Employer-specific: valid job offer, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer, and meeting job qualifications. – Open work permit: requirements based on specific circumstances (e.g., skilled worker, international graduate, youth exchange programs). No job offer or LMIA needed. | – Temporary: 1 to 2 years, renewable |
| Start-up Visa | International entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. | – Qualifying business – Letter of support from a designated organization – Settlement funds – Language proficiency | – Permanent resident (PR) card can be renewed every 5 years. – Optional open work permit available and valid for up to 3 years |
| Express Entry | Skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. | Manages three main programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP | – Permanent resident (PR) card can be renewed every 5 years. |
| Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) | People with the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to a specific province or territory and live there permanently. | Most provinces have their own stream and eligibility requirements (e.g., job offer in the province, work experience in a specific sector, or business intent for entrepreneur streams) | – Permanent resident (PR) card can be renewed every 5 years. |
Salaries in Canada
Salaries in Canada vary based on the industry, province, experience, and skills, with higher wages in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.
- Average salary: Most foreign nationals earn between $57,000 and $78,000 annually in Toronto, Ontario. Skilled workers and business experts can make enough money to support themselves, especially in technology and finance.
- Minimum wage: Canadian employers often provide a minimum hourly wage of $17.20 in Ontario, $17.40 in British Columbia, and $15 in Alberta. The government periodically adjusts this amount to the economic environment. Overall, work permit holders can afford the basic necessities, support themselves, and their family members.
- Bonus payments: Many employers offer annual bonuses or additional salary instalments for high performers and skilled workers.
- Salary deductions: Salaries are subject to mandatory deductions, such as health insurance or other benefits.
- Skilled professionals: In-demand fields provide higher salaries from $230,000 to $342,000 annually, mainly in healthcare, for example, surgeons, cardiologists, and internal medicine.
Taxes in Canada
Taxes in Canada use a progressive system, meaning the more you earn, the higher the taxable income you have to pay, determined by the federal income tax rates. Other taxes are also included, such as capital gains, corporate income, and shares of revenue from social insurance taxes.
The tax year starts on 1 January and ends on 31 December, and offers benefits for expats from tax treaty countries. You can claim foreign tax credits to reduce your overall tax burden and enjoy tax deductions based on the nature of your expenses.
Income tax rates in Canada
| Federal income tax rates for 2025 (in Canadian dollars) | |
|---|---|
| Taxable income range | Tax rate |
| For taxable income, that is $57,375 below or over. | 15 percent |
| For taxable income, that is between $57,375 and $114,750 or over. | 20.5 percent |
| For taxable income, that is between $114,750 and $177,882 or over. | 26 percent |
| For taxable income, that is between $177,882 and $253,414 or over. | 29 percent |
| For taxable income, that is over $253,414. | 33 percent |
Other taxes
| Tax type | Details |
|---|---|
| Capital gains tax rate | 50 percent |
| Corporate income tax rate | 38 percent |
| Share of revenue from social insurance taxes | 14.2 percent |
Working Hours and Employment Rights in Canada
In Canada, provincial and territorial governments regulate employment rights and working hours through Employment Standards Acts. This covers about 90 percent of workers, such as those in retail, construction, and healthcare. The federal government regulates the remaining ten percent in specific industries under the Canada Labour Code, such as transportation and banking.
- Standard working hours: In most provinces, you often work eight hours a day, 40 hours a week. Foreign workers who go beyond the 40-hour mark are paid overtime. Most Canadian employers pay about 1.5 times the regular wage.
- Flexible working hours: Remote work is available in many sectors, such as customer service, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.
- Shift work: Sectors like tourism, healthcare, and retail often work in shifts. Canadian employers can require you to work on weekends or evenings.
- Lunch breaks and rest: Employees get a 30-minute to one-hour lunch break.
- Public holidays: Canada has several public holidays, and employees often get a day off. If they work for the holidays, they are usually paid extra.
- Other things to consider: Sectors such as tourism and retail can have extended work hours during peak season, depending on the province. Foreign workers in these industries can work on weekends, evenings, or public holidays.
Canadian immigration laws can be quite complicated, and they change often. An experienced immigration lawyer can guide you every step of the way, check your application, and avoid costly mistakes.
Language Proficiency
English and French are the two official languages in Canada used in everyday life, at work, or when filing documents for the government. Many business experts speak both languages, depending on the province and the immigration program they applied for.
Work permit applications often require proof of language proficiency. For example, most people speak English in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, British Columbia, and the Prairie provinces. You need high French proficiency to get a Canadian job offer in Quebec as a foreign worker.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Official languages | English and French |
| Learning English or French | Language scores are based on Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. |
| French proficiency | Standardized tests like TEF Canada or TCF Canada are available to assess French proficiency. Specific programs, especially in Francophone communities, require CLB 7. |
| English proficiency | Standardized tests like IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, or PTE Core, are available to assess English proficiency. Most skilled workers programs require CLB 7. |
| Business language | English is common in most Canadian companies, especially in global industries. However, in Francophone communities, French is dominant. |
Best Sectors to Work in Canada
| Sector | Why does it work? | Available roles |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Many entry-level jobs with high turnover are available in one of the fastest-growing industries. | Sales managers, customer service, commerce specialists |
| Construction | Offers financial security with competitive wages and employment gaps. | Construction project managers, property managers, architects, real estate agents |
| Healthcare | Provides the most competitive salaries with job security and potential for long-term employment. | Medical researchers, surgeons, doctors, nurses, pharmacists |
| Food services | Food manufacturing is the second-largest manufacturing industry in Canada, with various employment gaps. | Production supervisor, factory worker, operations manager, quality control specialist, food technologist |
| Technology | Canada is a hub for technology and innovation, housing one of the biggest tech companies in the world. | Data scientists, IT consultants, cybersecurity specialists, software developers, engineers |
| Tourism | Provides entry-level jobs across all travel destinations with potential for career growth. | Customer service, waitstaff, tour guides, chefs, hotel management |
What do you need to start working in Canada as an American?
As an American citizen, you can compete for the same jobs as any foreigner. You will need a Canadian work permit or a visa through immigration programs like the Start-up Visa, Express Entry, or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Most work permit applications require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. You can use them to work temporarily and gain valuable work experience. A Canadian work permit often lasts one to two years and can be renewed.
Business immigration programs, like the Start-up Visa (SUV), have certain requirements and need proof of settlement funds, a letter of support, and a qualifying business. The SUV program can provide you with a permanent resident status and allow you to sponsor a common-law partner and dependent children. After obtaining permanent residence, you must reside in Canada for at least 730 days in the last five years.
