How to go to Canada for work

To get a work visa in Canada, you first need to receive a job offer. To do this, you'll need to go through several steps and gather all the necessary documents.

1. Take a language test

Canada has two official languages — English and French. If you don't speak either of them, finding a job will be extremely difficult.

Also read: "Working in Canada without knowing English — three options".

To prove your English or French skills, you can take one of the language tests accepted in Canada.

For French:

• TEF test;
• TCF test.

For English:

• IELTS test;
• CELPIP test;
• PTE Core (Pearson Test of English Core) test.

You can take a language exam in your home country if it's available there, or in Canada. For example, taking the IELTS test in Canada costs $310-335 CAD and includes four modules: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale to assess language skills. The minimum required English language level is usually between CLB 4 and 7. However, it's important to note that a language test is not always required for a work visa under LMIA, unless the employer specifically requires proof of language skills.

You can find equivalency tables for each type of test on the Canadian government website. For example, IELTS General Training scores correspond to average CLB scores as follows:

2. Prepare a Canadian-style resume

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The resume format in Canada is very different from the format used in CIS countries. To apply to a Canadian employer, you need to prepare a Canadian-style resume in English, French, or both languages.

Find out how to check for free if your resume meets Canadian standards.

Your resume should include:

• Contact information (name, address, email, phone number, preferably a link to your LinkedIn profile)
• A brief description (state the target position and add 3-4 short sentences describing personal qualities and professional skills that set you apart — avoid general phrases, provide specific information: achievements, numbers, percentages)
• Work experience (include only what's directly related to the job)
• Education and professional development
• Volunteer experience, if any (Canadian employers value this highly)

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When writing your resume, try to follow these recommendations:

• Keep it to one page, readable and print-friendly
• Use short sentences, avoid long paragraphs and small fonts (employers should spend no more than 30 seconds reading your resume)
• Prepare a tailored resume for each position you're interested in, using keywords from the job description
• Include information about your most relevant work experience and education
• Mention only skills related to the position you're applying for
• Don't add your photo, date of birth, gender, marital status, hobbies or personal preferences
• Don't use first-person pronouns ("I", "me", "my")
• Use simple sentences and action verbs ("handled", "managed", "developed", "increased", "accomplished")
• Don't include lists longer than 7 points
• Don't attach reference letters unless the employer asks for them
• Always proofread your resume for errors

You can also use a specialized resume optimization website.

It's also worth knowing that in Canada, there are two types of job application documents, depending on the field you're looking to work in — resume and CV. So it's important to understand the difference between these types of resumes in advance.

Keep in mind that you may need to send your resume dozens or hundreds of times before you find a job in Canada.

3. Get your diploma evaluated

If you received your higher education outside of Canada, it's advisable — though not always mandatory — to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). In most cases, bachelor's and master's degrees from foreign institutions are equivalent to bachelor's and master's degrees from Canadian universities. Only completed education can be evaluated.

The Canadian government accepts ECAs only from a few approved organizations:

Here's the English translation:

• World Education Services;
• Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies;
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada;
• International Qualifications Assessment Service;
• International Credential Evaluation Service;
• Medical Council of Canada (if your specialty is general practitioner, therapist, or specialist);
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (if your specialty is pharmacist).

Most potential immigrants apply for an ECA through World Education Services (WES). You'll need to provide the following documents:

• A completed application to WES with a reference number;
• Your diploma (specialist, candidate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree);
• Transcript or degree supplement;
• Professional English translation of your diploma and transcript (don't send original translations — they won't be returned).

If you received your education in Russia, the original diploma (with transcript) must be certified with an apostille.

If you received your education in Belarus, send your diploma and transcript to the Belarusian Diplomatic Service for certification, then complete authentication at the Canadian Consulate in Warsaw, before sending the document package to WES.

If you received your education in Ukraine, send your diploma (with transcript and completed WES application) for verification to the Information and Image Center, then send the document package to WES.

You can send documents electronically or by mail, depending on requirements and options available.

Address for sending documents to WES:
WES Reference No. (reference number)
World Education Services
Attention: Documentation Center
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3
Canada

An ECA for employment from WES costs $126-165 CAD, for immigration — $248 CAD. Additional expenses include delivery costs (from $12 CAD) and a 13% tax.

WES standard processing time is 30 business days. The ECA report will also be delivered electronically to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The ECA report is valid for 5 years.

4. Find a job

You can start looking for a job while still in your home country or after arriving in Canada. If you come to Canada on a tourist visa, you won't be allowed to work, but you can attend interviews.

Most people find jobs in Canada online. Popular job search websites include:

• monster.ca;
• ca.indeed.com;
• eluta.ca;
• glassdoor.ca;
• linkedin.com;
• jobbank.gc.ca;
• wowjobs.ca;
• kijiji.ca;
• workopolis.com.

Responding to job postings in street advertisements can make you vulnerable to scams. It can also be risky to accept offers from recruitment agencies in your home country.

You can also find current job openings from verified Canadian employers on our website in the "Jobs" section.

5. Wait for your employer to obtain an LMIA

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that a Canadian employer usually (but not always) needs to hire a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents were available for the job, and that hiring a foreigner is necessary.

Note: The employer must pay $1,000 CAD (as of 2025) to process an LMIA, but they cannot ask the employee to cover this cost. If you're asked to pay for an LMIA to get a job, you're likely dealing with scammers.

6. Get a job offer

You'll need a job offer to obtain a work visa and work permit. Having a job offer is mandatory to be eligible for most provincial immigration programs and allows you to earn additional points in the Express Entry system if you're applying under one of the federal programs.

When a Canadian employer wants to make a job offer to a foreigner, they prepare a Formal Employment Contract and a Job Offer Letter and send it to IRCC and ESDC.

The job offer should include:

• The job title;
• Job description, including main duties and position requirements — necessary professional education, skills, experience, and licenses;
• Start date and, if temporary, end date;
• Pay details — both salary and other forms of compensation;
• Employer's name and address, future work location address, and contact information for the Canadian company representative who can describe the job offer.

Along with verifying the job offer's authenticity, ESDC will check that the conditions offered by the Canadian company to the foreigner meet Canadian standards. After ESDC approves the job offer along with the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (if required), IRCC will grant the future foreign worker a work permit for this employer.

7. Complete a medical exam

If you're applying for permanent or temporary residence and plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you need to complete a medical exam. Regardless of the length of stay, a medical examination is required for those planning to work in Canada in healthcare and education.

All dependent family members must also undergo a medical exam (even if they're not immigrating with you) — otherwise, you won't receive resident status.

You can't undergo a medical examination for Canadian immigration with just any doctor. You must see one of the panel physicians authorized by IRCC. You can find a doctor to conduct your medical exam on the government website. You need to select your current country, then choose a city and facility.

For more details, read the article "Medical Examination for Immigration to Canada".

8. Get a work permit

You need to apply for a work permit as soon as you have a written job offer, employment contract, and the LMIA decision letter your employer received from ESDC.

To apply for a work permit, you'll need the following documents:

• Passport;
• Two photographs (of you and accompanying family members);
• Job offer number or LMIA copy;
• Proof of eligibility to work (education documents, language test results, work experience outlined in your resume);
• Copy of Quebec Acceptance Certificate (Certificat d'acceptation du Québec, CAQ) if you plan to work in Quebec;
• Marriage certificate and birth certificates for family members;
• Certified English or French translation of all documents;
• Completed forms and application (depending on your country of origin).

You need to pay the work permit fee ($155 CAD, including renewals) and biometrics fee ($85 CAD per person or $170 CAD for families of two or more). As of 2025, these rates remain current.

You can apply for a work permit online on the government website, in paper form (at a visa center), or at the airport when entering Canada.

If your application is approved, you'll receive a letter stating that you're allowed to work in Canada. Bring this letter with you when you travel to Canada. You'll get your work permit from a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer when you arrive in the country.

Some categories of workers are exempt from obtaining a work permit:

• Highly skilled professionals working in occupations classified as skill level 0 or A under the NOC classification who will work for no more than 15 consecutive days every 6 months or up to 30 consecutive days once a year;
• Participants or organizers of international events;
• Academic researchers coming to Canada for a short period;
• Employees of foreign companies and some other categories that don't enter the Canadian labor market or take jobs from permanent residents and citizens.

9. Get a visa to enter Canada

To enter Canada, you'll need a Temporary Resident Visa. The cost of this visa is $100 CAD for one person or $500 CAD for a family of five or more. To get it, you need to have a job offer and a work permit. The visa is issued for up to six months and can be extended as long as your contract or job offer is valid.

After working in Canada for a year, you can apply for permanent residence through one of the immigration programs.

Preparation is key to your success

To find a good job in another country, you need to dedicate enough time and effort to this task. The main key to success will be thorough and consistent preparation.

We're ready to offer you help in building a successful career abroad. Book a consultation with our specialists who can assist you with labor market analysis, employer requirements, resume writing, and interview preparation.