How to go to Canada to work
To go to work in Canada, you need to gather a large package of documents. From this article you will learn what steps you need to take.
To get a work visa to Canada, you must first get a job offer. To do this, in turn, you need to go through several steps and collect all the necessary documents.
1. Take a language proficiency test
Canada has two official languages — English and French. If you do not speak either of them, it will be very difficult to find a job.
Read also, "Working in Canada without English skills — three options".
To prove your knowledge of English or French, you can take one of the language tests that are accepted in Canada.
For French:
- TEF test;
- TCF test.
For English:
You can take a language exam in your home country, if it accepts the test, or in Canada. For example, taking the IELTS test in Canada costs $310-335 CAD and includes four modules: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale is used to assess language skills in Canada. Typically, the minimum required language proficiency in English can range from 4 to 7 CLB.
You can find correspondence tables for each type of test on the Government of Canada website. For example, IELTS General Training scores are correlated to CLB average scores in this way:
| IELTS scores | ||||
| CLB | Reading | Letter | Audition | Speaking |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 |
| 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
2. Prepare a Canadian-style resume
The format of a resume in Canada is very different from the format adopted in CIS countries. To apply to a Canadian employer, you need to prepare a Canadian-style resume in English, French or both languages.
Learn how to check if your resume meets Canadian standards for free.
The resume should include:
- Contact information (first and last name, address, email, phone number, preferably a link to your LinkedIn profile);
- short description (specify the target position and add 3-4 short sentences to describe personal qualities and professional skills that distinguish you from others — try to avoid general wording, you need specific information: achievements, figures, percentages);
- Work experience (specify only that which is directly relevant to the vacancy);
- education and professional development;
- volunteer experience, if available (Canadian employers appreciate this).
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