Canada’s labor market remains open to skilled workers from around the globe. Many Canadian employers continuously seek international candidates to meet the needs in areas such as tech, engineering, finance, and logistics. If you’re looking to work in Canada, understanding which employers hire international workers and assist with the visa or sponsorship process can streamline your job search. Below are fifteen employers to consider, the positions they hire for, and the reasons they are good candidates for your job search.
- Shopify
Shopify is one of the largest tech employers in Canada, and its remote-first and hybrid work models are appealing to recruits worldwide. The company frequently hires software developers, data scientists, product managers, and other highly skilled professionals. With its global hiring perspective, it is known to assist with immigration procedures for international recruits. Candidates are attracted to the company for its flexible work options and its advanced eCommerce technology. Shopify should be a target for those with development or cloud skills.
- Amazon Canada
Amazon has established logistics and tech operations in Canada, with regional infrastructures in Vancouver and Toronto. The company employs across various roles, including software developers, operations managers, and supply chain coordinators. Due to its global size and reach, Amazon is known to hire international talent and sponsor visas for roles that match a candidate’s qualifications. For those with tech or operations and stellar performance, Amazon is a place of great potential and career advancement.
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
As one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, Royal Bank of Canada has high demand in several fields, including cybersecurity, data analytics, fintech, risk management, and IT. The Bank of Canada recruits internationally and has a well-organized orientation with a training and career progression structure. RBC offers great opportunities, especially for international applicants with finance or IT skills, because of its size and its international recruiting initiatives.
- Deloitte Canada
As a prominent player in audit, tax, strategy, analytics, technology consulting, and various other professional service sectors, Deloitte is a key international firm. Professionals working there need to be well-qualified, have strong analytical skills, and be capable of interacting with clients. Deloitte’s size and global presence mean that it is able to provide proper immigration support and petition for visa sponsorship for international talent. If your profile includes consulting experience, technology skills, plus a global mindset, Deloitte could be a good fit.
- Suncor Energy
Suncor is one of Canada’s largest employers in the energy sector. With Suncor operating in remote parts of Canada, the company attracts foreign hires. Suncor is known to provide LIMA’s to foreign hires. Engineering and technical staff at Suncor can expect to meet one of the designated employers in Canada, with the energy sector highly regarded and historically stable.
- Bombardier
Bombardier is regarded as one of Canada’s leading employers in the Aviation and Transportation sector. With their advanced manufacturing positions, employers should expect excellent pay and exposure as it relates to global engineering. Excellent job opportunities await Bombardier Aerospace, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering graduates.
- KPMG Canada
KPMG is one of Canada’s most respected employers in the professional services sector. With the company’s global reach, foreign skilled candidates are in high demand, especially those with distinctive skills and expertise. KPMG is a global player in the professional services market with strong opportunities in brand value and personal development in the profession, especially in the areas of accounting and finance, technology, and consulting.
- Scotiabank
Scotiabank functions on a global scale, and in Canada, it employs personnel in finance, information technology, data analysis, cybersecurity, and operations. The bank prioritizes diversity and has international recruitment initiatives that help provide opportunities to overseas candidates. If you have experience in both finance and technology, there is a strong chance that Scotiabank will meet your professional goals and aspirations.
- CGI Inc.
With its headquarters in Montreal, CGI is considered one of the largest IT consulting firms. It employs software developers, cloud specialists, systems integrators, and project managers. For IT professionals trained abroad, companies like CGI provide opportunities, especially with extensive practical experience. Moreover, consulting firms help one gain access to Canadian business culture and technology standards more rapidly.
- Magna International
Magna is a leading automotive parts manufacturing firm with large operations in Canada. It hires engineers, industrial technicians, process specialists, and supervisory staff. With Canada’s manufacturing sector seeking skilled trades and technical professionals, Magna offers an attractive option for those with manufacturing, mechanical, or electrical engineering skills looking to migrate to Canada.
- Telus Communications
Telus is a leading telecommunications operator, hiring for roles such as IT professionals, network engineers, customer experience specialists, and project leads. Due to the expanding Telus telecom and digital infrastructure in Canada, Telus recruits talent internationally. As a professional in network technology, 5G, cloud computing, or customer service operations in tech, candidates would find Telus a good potential employer.
- Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw is one of Canada’s largest food retailers and distributors and employs supply chain managers, logistics specialists, IT systems analysts, and operations leads, among many others. Due to the size of the company, along with the national Canadian geographical footprint, the company handles massive and complex logistics operations. Opportunities may be available for international recruits in logistics, supply chain management, and an engineering-IT cross-skilled role.
- Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway is one of the largest transportation logistics and supply chain companies in Canada. Within the rail and heavy logistics sectors, the company is increasingly recruiting internationally for positions such as operations, logistics, engineering, project management, or safety compliance due to talent shortages. For candidates with scalable operations experience, CN provides a route to the transit infrastructure industry in Canada.
- Air Canada
Canada’s national airline hires pilots, aircraft mechanics, avionics specialists, airline operations personnel, and ground staff. Given the specialized nature of many aviation roles, foreign skilled workers are sometimes recruited. If your background is in aviation, aerospace engineering, or airline operations, Air Canada is worth exploring for sponsorship-friendly opportunities.
- Maple Leaf Foods
Maple Leaf Foods is a major food processing and manufacturing employer in Canada. It regularly hires roles such as machine operators, production supervisors, engineers, and maintenance technicians. With manufacturing facing labour shortages, companies like Maple Leaf provide opportunities for skilled workers in production, engineering or plant-based roles looking to relocate to Canada.
How to Choose the Right Company for You
- When reviewing these companies, concentrate on a few important elements to identify a suitable option and improve your probability of success.
- Check each job description to see if it mentions visa sponsorship, “LMIA support,” or “international candidate.”
- Align your skills and experiences with the job description, since employers hiring from abroad seek candidates with strong technical and professional qualifications.
- Look into whether the company recruits internationally or has employee relocation packages, because smaller companies may not handle visa sponsorship internally.
- Be aware of the relative openness of the Canadian job market to foreign workers in particular sectors like tech, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and health care.
- Have your educational credentials, professional qualifications, language assessments (English or French), and letters of recommendation ready in advance. This makes you more enticing to employers willing to offer sponsorship.
Tips to Improve Your Application
To differentiate yourself in the job market and land a position with any of these companies, please consider the following:
- First, adjust your resume to the Canadian style: a clean format, prioritize important accomplishments, use numbers if possible, illustrate importance to the Canadian job market and the Canadian company, and use the job description’s keywords.
- Second, establish your online presence: a LinkedIn profile, a professional portfolio (especially for technology and design positions), and references or endorsements. Include tangible demonstrations of your skills.
- Third, examine the visa support process: Some companies have sponsorship openly stated in the job listing, while others may not say it. Be prepared to talk about relocating and the visa process, timelines, and starting dates.
- Fourth, establish a professional relationship: get in touch with the employees of your companies of interest, get into Canadian job-related online communities, and join virtual job fairs for international hires. This can help with referrals.
- Lastly, demonstrate your willingness to adapt to new circumstances: Changing countries will bring many changes, and employers appreciate candidates who demonstrate cultural awareness and a willingness to adjust to the Canadian work environment.
What to Expect After Getting the Job Offer
When you get hired by one of those businesses, the next step tends to be working on formal immigration processes. Depending on your field, your employer might need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or use a visa option such as the Global Talent Stream. After getting LMIA approval, the next step is to apply for a Canadian work permit.
Once you land in Canada, you need to carry out some tasks like registering your place of residence, applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and potentially enrolling in provincial health insurance. Your employer and the job position you fill may allow you to become eligible for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.
Having a reputable employer who knows the immigration processes can ease your settlement, improve the relocation assistance you get, and provide clearer long-term job prospects compared to taking a job without that support.
Final Thoughts
Relocating to Canada for employment is a major professional and personal change. The difference an employer makes is considerable. The corporations mentioned earlier are good examples of firms that are recruiting talent and dealing with hiring skilled employees and international hiring.
Evaluate the culture, available positions, and locale of every organization. Align your expertise and experience with their requirements, and understand the application, interviewing, and immigration steps. Working and concentrating on the right company will help you achieve your dream goal of working in Canada.