Are you a truck driver? Canada’s job market has a lot of vacancies for you! Since 2021, the country has been experiencing a shortage of truck drivers. They need to hire more than 17,000 new truck drivers annually till 2025 to bridge the gap between supply and demand.
Since truck drivers are more in need now than ever, this is your chance to strike the market and heighten your career. Here’s an overview of how you can move to Canada as a truck driver.
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Canadian Immigration Streams for Truck Drivers
If being a truck driver is something you enjoy, you have a few Canadian immigration options:
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The TFWP is a temporary work visa that’s granted to foreigners looking for short-term employment in Canada. It was created by the Canadian government to allow employers to hire foreign workers if they are unable to find Canadian citizens to fill their job positions. Under this visa, you can work in Canada for no longer than 6 months and you’re allowed to work for only one employer. However, extensions can be granted if you have decided to change employers, wages, jobs, or other conditions related to your work. To qualify for a TFWP, you should:
Have a valid passport
Have a job offer from a Canadian employer,
Prove your proficiency in English or French,
Prove your intent to leave Canada after the expiration of your work permit,
Have no criminal record and prove you’re not a danger to Canada’s national security,
Prove that you’ll be able to finance your stay and return travel and that of any family member you bring along, and
Be in good health.
Your employer must have an LMIA; a Labor Market Impact Assessment document that details that the employer was unable to find suitable talent in the country. If you meet the above requirements, you can submit your TFWP application.
Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is the fastest way to move to Canada and get your permanent residency as a skilled worker. To apply, you need to create your Express Entry profile and fill out all the information. You’ll be given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and placed in a pool of candidates according to multiple factors; age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and more.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program is a branch of Express Entry through which you can move to a specific province or city in Canada. It’s a great option for truck drivers interested in settling in Canada and growing their careers. There are eleven provinces and territories that participate in this program. So, rest assured that you’ll have no trouble landing a job offer that conforms to the labor needs of a participating province or territory.
In some cases, there are dedicated PNP streams for skilled and in-demand work. For example, Saskatchewan has a Long-Haul Truck Driver Project that aims to help trucking firms bring foreign truck drivers to Canada. And the best part about this program is that you have a chance at acquiring Canadian PR. It’s a comparatively faster way to come to Canada while securing a job and also gives you an additional 600 points on your CRS score!
Moving from An English-Speaking Country
Are you coming to Canada from a predominantly English-speaking country? Then you have an even greater chance of making a smooth move! If you’re from the US, you have the upper hand because the two countries have a unique relationship. Both are tied to each other not just physically, but socially and economically as well. The average US citizen can travel to Canada freely regardless of the nature of the trip.
For truck drivers, that’s especially the case because over 5 million trucks cross the Canada-US border annually. If you’re interested in moving to Canada as a truck driver, the process is very simple for you. Canada and the US both hold the same basic requirements for the job position. You just need to secure the right Canadian license.
Similarly, if you’re coming from Australia or the UK, the process is very straightforward. However, some extra practice might be needed if you want to be comfortable driving on the right side of the road. You will also need to change your current license for a valid Canadian license. You’ll be asked to pass a knowledge test, a road test, and drive for a predefined number of hours before you can get your Canadian license.
Career Growth Opportunities
There are a lot of perks that come with working as a truck driver in Canada:
A great salary — around $50K to $70K annually — with a high potential to earn more
Some employers also offer extra insurance coverage
You can typically negotiate your work hours and frequency of trips over a specified period
You can have paid days off and make the most of your time in a new country
Since the demand is so high, you’ll have job security
Canada has some amazing sights that you can take in while you’re on the job!
How Do I Look for Trucking Jobs in Canada?
Now that you understand the process and perks that come with truck driving in Canada, you might be rushing to look for vacancies. Just a simple Google search will show you thousands of openings. You can also use job portals where you’ll find new openings daily. Here are some worthy mentions:
Driverlink — a top Canadian online job portal specifically for truckers.
Indeed Canada — a widely popular platform with millions of job openings from thousands of different job boards.
LinkedIn — a leading online social network for job seekers.
How Can I Get Assistance with This Process?
If you don’t know where or how to get started, UIS Canada can help you out! We’re confident in our expert team of IRCCs to provide you with the tailored immigration assistance needed to make a hassle-free move! Our consultants are available 24/6 to sort out your concerns and queries! Reach out to us today!
