Truck driver work permit in Canada and trucking jobs in Canada are most sought after opportunities in various Canadian provinces. With over 3,000 jobs in Canada currently listed on websites such as indeed, Job Bank and other websites, and the fact that trucking (truck drivers’) jobs in Canada are listed as ‘Essential Services’ in almost every province as well as the territory’s in-demand jobs lists and list of ‘eligible occupations’ for Express Entry streams, this is the best time for eligible truck driver (having driving experience in Gulf countries) to start their Canada work permit visa application and apply to immigrate to Canada in 2024.
Canada plans to welcome 465,000 new foreign skilled workers and immigrants in 2023, around 485,000 fresh skilled workers and immigrants in 2024 and finally 500,000 new immigrants in 2025. Considering the shortage of efficient truck drivers in the country, the Canadian government continues to accept and process visa applications even during pandemic to help close the gap in the labour market. The truck driver jobs in Canada with work permit tops the list of visa applications since the country needs experienced and efficient long haul truck drivers in coming years.
It is important to note that prospective candidates can only apply for Canadian truck drivers job with work permit, if their applications are endorsed by authentic Canadian employer, who has successfully secured positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Truck drivers can get work permit for Canada under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Most of the Canadian trucking companies employ young foreign skilled workers through this channel.
The TFWP only allows candidates who are able to prove to immigration officials that they are willing to work and stay in Canada till the end of visa or work permit. Moreover, interested candidates must have clean records, no criminal case registered in their names and no denial to enter into Canada or any another country in the past.
Interested candidates must fulfil all eligibility criteria as mentioned in ‘truck driver work permit Canada requirements’ in order to successfully migrate to Canada and achieve their goals and dreams. Some of the basic eligibility criteria are —
→ Work experience of two years as a Truck Driver in Gulf country
→ Must have Truck Driver visa and Gulf country license
→ Senior secondary education (10+2)
→ Proficiency in English – Speaking, Reading Listening and Writing, or Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5: Reading – 4 band, Listening – 5 band, Speaking – 5 band and Writing – 5 band
→ Visa application should be endorsed by a designated Canadian employer having positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) issued by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
→ Sufficient funds
It is believed that truck drivers in Canada receive ample opportunities and benefits, including salary in the bracket of $55, 000 to $70, 000 per year, as well as other perks, social benefits. It is important to note that long haul drivers are preferred by Canadian employers. The long haul truck drivers get good salary and a lot of other benefits from their employers. For such reasons skilled workers and immigrants would like to apply for truck driver jobs in Canada for foreigners.
The Canadian truck drivers have flexible work schedule. Sometimes truck drivers go on trips that require journey of several months or weeks. In such cases, long haul truck drivers can discuss working days and hours as well as number of off per week with their employers.
An advantage of truck driving jobs in Canada is sight-seeing. They can travel to various Canadian towns, forests, beautiful places, cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver among other preferred locations. They also get several opportunities to interact with people and social groups from diverse backgrounds.
After gaining experience and learning useful tips in truck industry candidates can also become a team driver. The team drivers (or team leaders) also get a chance to manage team of truck drivers.
The eligible truck drivers (candidates) can apply under two major immigration programs offered by the Canadian government. These programs are –
1) LMIA based Work Permit
2) Atlantic Immigration Programme
The famous immigration consultant based in Dubai, Key Global Immigration Services, specialises in processing visa applications for Truck Drivers under LMIA Based Work Permit, employer driven Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programme and employer sponsored Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The reputed consultant works with leading immigration lawyers based in Canada and facilitates pre-approved LMIA for Truck Drivers for various Canadian provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
LMIA Based Work Permit
Eligibility Criteria to Apply Visa under Work Permit:
• Minimum 2 years international truck driving experience, especially in Gulf countries, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore
• Clean driving abstract and clean criminal record
• 12th Grade education (minimum)
• IELTS Score – Speaking 5, Listening 5, Reading 4 and Writing 5 bands
The process of getting truck driver jobs in Canada with work permit follow below-mentioned steps –
Canadian employer apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Employer makes employment offer to eligible candidate.
Candidates (truck driver) apply for work permit.
Complete related procedures of work permit visa.
Receive work permit by Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA).
What is the Labour Market Impact Assessment?
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an important document that the Canadian employer receives to validate immigration of a foreign skilled worker (truck driver) in Canada. LMIA is a positive response issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and it allows the Canadian employer to hire foreign skilled worker, immigrant, long haul truck drivers for trucking industry in Canada. It is important to note that employer must showcase that no Canadian national (citizens or residents) are available for truck driver positions or job vacancies. The processing time for an LMIA application can take up to two months after the request is received by the authorities.
There are certain situations when the work permit is issued without LMIA and these situations are mentioned below –
• In case of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreements
• A reciprocal agreement that the Canada government has entered into with the foreign national’s homeland (country)
• If an international student received co-op placement
• For charitable work in Canada
Atlantic Immigration Programme (AIP)
The employment driven Atlantic Immigration Programme (AIP) and has been declared a permanent immigration gateway from 2022. This pathway fulfils labour market needs in four Canadian provinces – Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Eligibility Criteria to apply work permit visa under Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programme (AIPP):
• Minimum 1 year of international Truck Driving experience in last 3 years. Candidate must have worked as truck driver in any Gulf countries, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore
• Clean driving abstract and clean criminal record
• 12th Grade education
• IELTS Score – Speaking 4, Listening 4.5, Reading 3.5 and Writing 4 bands
Under its Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, the federal government of Canada will welcome as many as 105,500 new economic class immigrants in 2023; about 110,000 new immigrants in 2024; and around 117,500 in 2025.
Canada immigration is a legal process. Hence, the authorities require certain documents of applicants for processing. The set of documents required for visa application is mentioned below –
• Work permit application form – Family information form (IMM 5645)
• Passport size photographs
• Processing fee
• Medical exam report
• Police verification report
• Valid passport
• A copy of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which is provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
• Employment letter
• Proof of candidates’ qualification for job vacancy
• Work experience letters
• Language proficiency (IELTS) score
• Evidence of financial stability
Designated Canadian employers pay good hourly wages to truck drivers. The average wage for truck drivers is $32 (Canadian Dollar) an hour according to data of Job Bank and Statistics Canada. With increasing demand of truck drivers in various Canadian provinces, especially in Atlantic Canada, experts hope that truck drivers will get good salary packages as well as other social and welfare facilities.
Truck Driver Hourly Wages in Numbers
| Low | Med. | High | Avg. hour wage | |
| Canada | 14 | 20.4 | 32 | 23.26 |
| Alberta | 18 | 26 | 39 | 26.83 |
| British Columbia | 15 | 24.95 | 35.14 | 23.27 |
| Manitoba | 13 | 20 | 29 | 21.74 |
| New Brunswick | 12.5 | 17.26 | 27 | 20.56 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 13.5 | 20 | 35 | 23.74 |
| Nova Scotia | 12.82 | 18 | 25.64 | 20.97 |
| Ontario | 13 | 20 | 29 | 22.73 |
| Prince Edward Island | 12 | 16.5 | 27 | 19.03 |
| Québec | 13.5 | 18.6 | 26.67 | 22.48 |
| Saskatchewan | 15.38 | 23.63 | 35 | 24.96 |
→ According to experts Canada will require 48,000 long haul drivers by 2024. Due to ageing Canadian population the Canadian employers always look out for young foreign skilled workers who fulfill all eligibility criteria of Canada immigration
→ According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, the ageing population in Canada poses various challenges to trucking industry. That’s why trucking industry requires young foreign skilled workers who can work and serve trucking companies for longer duration.
→ The federal government requires candidates having clean driving records and work experience in Gulf countries
→ A long haul or journey truck drivers are very much in demand in Canada
Getting Canada work permit is a difficult process. In order to save time, resources and energy of interested candidates, experts suggest to follow guidance of reliable immigration consultants such as Key Global Immigration Consultant. The consultant specialises in employer driven programs, facilitating LMIA approved valid job offers and Arranged Employment Offers. In order to ‘help people live good life’, the consultant offers personalized counseling to candidates and make detailed assessment of personal and professional details of applicants before offering them best suited immigration programs. For honest, transparent and authentic immigration process contact us now at Call us: +971-564039333 (UAE) / +91-9871097333 (IND)
