Want to Work in Vancouver? Here are Three Ways You Can Make It Happen

September 22, 2021

British Columbia has something to offer just about anyone looking to make Canada their new home, and for many, Vancouver is the place where it all starts. BC’s most populous city is home to more than 2.5 million people, and with nearly half that number made up of immigrant residents, it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country.

There are several ways those who are looking to work in Vancouver, or one of the many surrounding areas, can immigrate.

1. By Getting a Canadian Work Permit

In most cases, you will need a Canadian work permit if you want to work in Canada. Some people choose to navigate the work permit process before arriving in Canada by searching out LMIA available jobs in Vancouver, securing an employment offer, and applying for a Canadian work permit.

The Job Bank is the largest Canadian resource for job postings and labour market information. To hire a temporary foreign worker, employers must first complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment. The document essentially provides proof that the business could not find any Canadian or permanent resident to fill a labour shortage for a skilled position.

There are a few exceptions to the LMIA requirement for temporary foreign workers. For example, citizens of Mexico, the United States, and the UK may be LMIA-exempt, thanks to trade agreements with Canada. Residents of these countries may also benefit from priority 2-week visa processing.

Other exemptions exist for specific situations with other free-trade agreement partners and unique work situations where a foreign national brings skills that are deemed culturally, socially, or economically beneficial to Canada. However, for most immigrants looking to work in Canada, a permit will be required.
You can search for LMIA jobs in Canada by clicking here.

2. By Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident

It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the easiest way to come to Canada to work is by obtaining permanent residency first. Several Canadian immigration streams do not require candidates to have a job offer. Instead, these programs consider the applicant’s ability to contribute to the Canadian economy by evaluating and ranking factors such as education, work experience, skills, and language proficiency.

All three streams of the Express Entry program allow candidates to apply for permanent residency without a job offer, provided they meet minimum eligibility requirements. Qualified, interested candidates can apply for:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTC)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
In addition to these federal programs, all Canadian provinces oversee their own Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs), some of which also do not require an applicant to have a job offer before arriving in Canada, including:
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
• Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
• Alberta PNP through Express Entry
• Prince Edward Island PNP through Express Entry
• Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)

Once a candidate is approved for Canadian permanent residency, they can live and work in Canada without a permit.
Want more information on immigrating to BC? Read: Immigration to Canada: Focus on Pathways to British Columbia.

3. By Studying in Canada

Canada is home to some of the most renowned educational institutions in the world – and many are in Vancouver. Upgrading your academic credentials can provide many career benefits in Canada. There is significant demand for skilled workers, trades, and international graduates. Should you want to obtain permanent residency in the future, educational attainment factors highly into many of the most popular immigration programs.

International students can work while studying in Canada, part-time while classes are in session, and full-time during breaks. Work permits and LMIA are not required for either on or off-campus jobs. Instead, the conditions listed on your study permit will indicate that you can work while studying in Canada.

It is important to note that the study permit only allows candidates to work while attending a qualifying institution. Once you graduate, you must apply for a work permit through one of the available streams, including the option to apply for a post-graduate work permit.

Also check out: Things You Need to Know About Living in Canada on a Student Budget

Whether you have a job lined up or are still looking, the immigration consultants at Five Stone Immigration can help pave the way to your goal of achieving a rewarding career in Canada.