Many people want to work in Canada. Some jobs need a degree, but many do not. This guide lists the main job types for foreign workers in Canada, what they pay and how the process really works. It helps you choose the right path and stay away from fake offers.
The main jobs for foreign workers in Canada
| Factory and warehouse | About $22 an hour. Read the guide |
|---|---|
| Truck and delivery driver | About $26 an hour for truck drivers. Read the guide |
| Construction labourer | About $25 an hour. Read the guide |
| Hotel, kitchen, cleaning | Often near the minimum wage. Read the guide |
| Farm work | Often near the minimum wage, and often seasonal |
| Care worker | Helps older or sick people at home; training and experience are needed |
How much you can earn
The pay numbers are middle wages from Job Bank, the Canadian government’s job website. Your pay can be lower or higher. It depends on the province, the employer and your experience. Many trade workers earn $30 an hour or more.
Each province sets its own minimum wage. In 2026 it goes from $15.00 an hour in Alberta to $19.75 in Nunavut. Ontario is $17.95 and British Columbia is $18.25. For jobs under federal rules it is $18.15. No employer may pay you less than the minimum wage of the place where you work.
If you have a trade
Electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, carpenters and cooks usually earn more than general workers, and employers look for them first. But a trade is only useful abroad if you can prove it:
- Bring your training certificate and letters from past employers, with dates and the work you did.
- Some trades, such as electrician and plumber, are regulated. You may need a local licence or an exam before you can work alone.
- Photos or a short video of your work can help in an interview.
Which job is right for you?
- If you are strong and like clear tasks, look at factory, warehouse and construction work.
- If you have a clean licence and driving experience, driver jobs often pay more.
- If you like working with people, look at hotel, kitchen and care work.
- If you have a trade, apply in your trade first. It is the fastest way to better pay.
What you need before you can work in Canada
No degree is needed for this work. But you cannot simply fly to Canada and start. In most cases you need three things:
- A real job offer from a Canadian employer.
- A positive LMIA. This is a paper the employer gets from the Canadian government. It shows the employer could not find a worker in Canada. The employer applies and pays for it, not you.
- A work permit. You apply for it yourself on the official website, Canada.ca, with your job offer, the LMIA number and your passport.
Canada limits how many foreign workers come each year. The target for this program is 60,000 new workers in 2026, and many people apply. Most employers can fill only about 10% of their lower-paid jobs with foreign workers. In some big cities with high unemployment, the government does not accept requests for lower-paid foreign workers at all, so many offers come from smaller towns.
Since November 2026, a work permit for a lower-paid job can be given for up to two years. Before, it was one year. There is no maximum age in the work permit rules. You must be an adult, and the employer decides who to hire. Nobody can promise you a job or a visa.
Costs to plan for
Rent is the biggest cost in Canada. A room in a shared home costs much more in Toronto or Vancouver than in a small town. For lower-paid jobs under the foreign worker program, the employer is expected to pay your travel to Canada and back, and to help you find housing you can afford. Ask about both in writing. You also need warm clothes, because winters are very cold in most of the country. Bring enough money for your first weeks, until your first pay arrives.
How to apply safely
- Go to Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca). It is the Canadian government’s free job website.
- Search for the job, then use the filter for employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers.
- Prepare a short CV in English or French: your name, phone, email, past jobs with dates, and your skills.
- Apply the way the job post says. Send the same clear CV each time.
- If an employer answers, ask for a written job offer and the LMIA number. Check both before you pay for any travel.
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying for every job you see. Choose the two or three job types that fit your experience.
- Trusting adverts that promise “visa in 10 days” or “no interview”.
- Travelling on a visitor visa to “find work there”. In most countries you cannot work on a visitor visa.
- Paying anyone for a job offer.
Your rights as a worker in Canada
- You must be paid at least the wage in your contract, and never less than the minimum wage.
- Your employer cannot take your passport or your work permit.
- Your employer cannot make you pay back the LMIA or recruitment costs.
- You have the right to a safe workplace and to say no to unsafe work.
- If an employer abuses you, Canada has a special open work permit for workers in that situation, so you can leave that employer.
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a job. In Canada, employers are not allowed to charge workers recruitment fees under the foreign worker program.
- Be careful with offers that arrive on WhatsApp or Telegram, or from a free email address.
- A real employer does not ask for money for a “visa file”, “medical booking” or “work permit processing”.
- If someone helps you with immigration papers for money, check that they are licensed. Consultants must be listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
Questions people ask
Which job is easiest to get in Canada without a degree?
Jobs with many open places and simple training: factory and warehouse work, cleaning, kitchen help and construction labour. Driver and trade jobs pay more but ask for a licence or proof of skill.
Is there an age limit?
You must be an adult. Employers decide who they hire. The visa rules are explained in this guide.
Can I go to Canada first and look for work there?
Not on a visitor visa. You cannot work as a visitor. The safe way is to get the job offer and the work permit before you travel.
How long does it take?
It is different for each person and each country. The employer first needs the LMIA, then you apply for the permit. Plan for several months.
More guides for Canada
- Factory jobs in Canada
- Driver jobs in Canada
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Canada
- Construction jobs in Canada
- How to apply for jobs in Canada
- Canada work permit guide
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.