Canada is well-known for having many different job opportunities as well as a place to go to either further or start your career. It could be considered one of the best places to work, as there are several visa and immigration programs in place for foreign skilled workers to move to Canada.
In this article, we take a look at the highest-paying jobs for skilled workers in Canada and which programs and visas allow foreign nationals to work in Canada.
Top Paying Jobs in Canada
Not only are skilled workers in demand in Canada but they also pay well. Foreign skilled workers can earn top salaries working in Canada. Here’s what the top 8 best-paying occupations in Canada earn today:
| Top Paying Jobs in 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | Average Salary CAD |
| 6411 | Sales Associate | $52,277 |
| 7312 | Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanic | $82,864 |
| 7242 | Industrial Electrician | $83,671 |
| 3012 | Registered Nurse | $77,603 |
| 4163 | Accountant | $59,100 |
| 1414 | Receptionist | $31,304 |
| 7611 | General Labourer | $47,678 |
| 7327 | Welder | $73,054 |
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How Do I Immigrate to Canada as a Foreign Skilled Worker?
There are several great programs that create a pathway to moving to Canada as a skilled worker. In this article, we will focus on the three most popular programs.
1. Express Entry
Express Entry is a great way to move to Canada as a skilled worker and permanent resident. Express Entry is an online system that manages three federal programs namely Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.
If you’re eligible for Express Entry, you’ll need to create an online profile. The Immigration, Refugee and Canadian Citizenship (IRCC) will tell you which program you’re eligible for based on your answers. Once done with your online profile, you’ll be placed into the Express Entry pool along with other eligible candidates.
You will also receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which will determine your ranking within the pool. If you meet or exceed the qualifying CRS score of a particular draw then you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) which means you have the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
If you are unsuccessful in receiving an ITA in the first draw, your profile will remain in the pool for one year. You can use this time to increase your CRS score, this can be done in the following ways:
- Improve your language test scores;
- Increase your work experience;
- Receive a Provincial Nomination; and
- Get a job offer in Canada.
2. Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program is a top program if you’re seeking permanent residency and wanting to work in the highest-paying jobs for skilled workers in Canada.
It’s an agreement that was put in place between the government and local provinces of Canada. The agreement allows the provinces and territories to nominate foreign skilled workers to live and work in the particular province. This program is for you if you:
- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory;
- want to live in that province, and;
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
How do I apply for a provincial Nomination?
You have the option of applying two ways, via the paper-based process or through the Express Entry.
Paper-based Process:
This is only if you apply for a nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. You will need to send your application via mail or courier and if you’ve been nominated you’ll need to submit your application for permanent residency to the IRCC via mail or courier. This can be very time-consuming.
Express Entry process:
You have two choices when it comes to applying via the Express Entry system. You can either:
- Contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream. If the province agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile and show you that you’ve been nominated; or
- Create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces you’re interested in. If the province sends a notification of interest to your profile, you can contact them directly. You may also apply to their Express Entry stream.
Good to know:
When you apply to a province or territory where your skills are in demand, then your success rate at receiving a nomination will be increased significantly.
3. Atlantic Immigration Pilot
If you enjoy living in a province that is more community-driven, then the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is for you. The AIP is designed for skilled workers to move to one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces as Canadian permanent residents. The four partaking provinces are:
- Newfoundland and Labrador;
- Prince Edward Island;
- New Brunswick; and
- Nova Scotia.
The AIPP has three programs, which include two for skilled workers:
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program;
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program; and
- Atlantic International Graduate Program.
See the table below for the requirements of the skilled programs.
| Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | Atlantic High-Skilled Program | Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program |
| Job offer from a designated employer | Full-time1-year contractNOC 0, A or B | Full-timeNot specifiedNOC 0, A, B or C |
| Skilled work experience | 1 year in occupation related to job offer | One year in occupation related to job offer |
| Education | Have a foreign degree or diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report done | Have a foreign degree or diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report done |
| Language | Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English or the Niveau de compétence linguistique Canadien in French | Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English or the Niveau de compétence linguistique Canadien in French |
| Funds | Proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself as well as any dependents regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada or not. | Proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself as well as any dependents regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada or not. |
Benefits of Working in Canada
As a permanent resident working in Canada, you’ll have many great benefits such as incredible universal healthcare, free public education for your children and a healthy work-life balance. The best benefit of all is that you could be working in an occupation that is one of the highest-paying jobs for skilled workers in Canada.
