Canada is a popular destination for immigrants seeking new opportunities. While the country is known for its skilled worker programs, there are also pathways available for those with less formal education or experience. Due to recent labor shortages, Canada has introduced several immigration programs specifically designed for unskilled workers. If you work in fields such as driving, office support, farm labor, or retail, you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada and contribute your skills to our growing economy. We give you a breakdown of how to immigrate to Canada as an unskilled worker.
Pathways to Canada as an Unskilled Worker
Canada offers several pathways for unskilled workers to immigrate and build a new life. These programs recognize the valuable contributions of individuals in essential roles across various sectors. Whether you are a laborer, or work in food services, exploring these pathways may open doors to new opportunities in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs for Unskilled Workers
One of the pathways available for unskilled workers to immigrate to Canada is through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs are designed to address each Canadian province or territory's specific labor market needs. Some provinces have specific streams or categories dedicated to unskilled workers, allowing them to apply for a work visa and eventually become permanent residents (PR). Some of these streams include:
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) For Agriculture and Hospitality Workers, Truck Drivers, and Trade Workers
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for workers in the Food, Hospitality, Tourism or Food Processing industries
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) Rural Renewal Stream
The Atlantic Immigration Program
Unskilled workers can immigrate to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) if they meet the program's requirements. The AIP is designed to help employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador—hire foreign workers to fill labor shortages in both high-skilled and low-skilled jobs.
Unskilled or low-skilled positions eligible under the AIP fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 4 and 5. These roles often include food service workers, general laborers, cleaning staff, and other similar jobs.
To apply, you must have a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. These employers must be pre-approved under the AIP and demonstrate efforts to hire locally before extending the position to a foreign worker.
Applicants must also meet certain requirements, including demonstrating basic proficiency in either English or French, typically at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 or higher. Additionally, you will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. If you were educated outside Canada, your credentials must be assessed for equivalency through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Another requirement is proof of settlement funds to show you can support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada, unless you’re already working in the country. A settlement plan is also mandatory, helping you and your family adjust to life in Canada. Employers often assist with this process as part of the AIP.
The AIP is particularly attractive because it offers a direct pathway to permanent residency, making it a viable option for unskilled workers willing to settle in Atlantic Canada. Popular roles under the program include food and beverage servers, housekeepers, janitors, farm workers, truck drivers, and fish plant workers.
If you meet the requirements and secure a valid job offer, the AIP could be your gateway to immigrating to Canada as an unskilled worker while enjoying the benefits of permanent residency.
Canadian Work Permits for Unskilled Workers
If you are an unskilled worker who does not qualify for the PNPs, options are still available for you to fulfill the Canada unskilled worker visa requirements and achieve your unskilled labor working goals in Canada.
The following immigration pathways provide opportunities to obtain a Canadian work visa as an unskilled worker by allowing you to work in Canada temporarily.
Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP) allows employers in Canada to hire unskilled workers from abroad to fill temporary labor shortages. To be eligible for a TFWP, you will need a job offer from a Canadian employer and a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The LMIA is a document that shows a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that there are no qualified Canadians available to do the job. Once you have obtained a TFWP, you can work in Canada for the specified period.
IEC Working Holiday Program
The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Program is another option for unskilled workers. This program allows young adults from designated countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
While the IEC program does not specifically target unskilled workers, it provides a great opportunity to gain work experience in Canada and potentially secure a job offer for a longer-term work visa. The IEC Working Holiday program doesn’t require any educational qualifications.
Canadian Provinces Where Unskilled Workers Are Most In-demand
If you are an unskilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada, knowing which provinces have the highest demand for unskilled workers may be helpful. While opportunities are available throughout Canada, some provinces have a greater need for unskilled labor than others.
Alberta
One province where unskilled workers are in high demand is Alberta. Due to its booming oil and gas industry, Alberta requires a large workforce to support its economic growth. Unskilled construction, hospitality, and agriculture workers have a good chance of finding job opportunities in Alberta. The unskilled jobs on Alberta’s in-demand occupations list include:
Retail sales Associates
Retail shelf stockers
Store clerks
Retail order fillers
Call center agent
Home childcare providers
Seasonal farm workers (fruit pickers, packers, planters etc.)
Housekeepers
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is another province where unskilled workers are in demand. With its aging population and declining birth rate, Nova Scotia faces labor shortages in various sectors. Unskilled workers who have experience in industries such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing may find good job prospects in Nova Scotia. For Nova Scotia, the unskilled in-demand occupations list includes:
Light-duty cleaners
Food counter attendants
kitchen helpers
Food and beverage servers
General laborers
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island offers plenty of opportunities for unskilled workers with its growing tourism industry and agricultural sector. The province has various programs and initiatives to attract foreign workers, making it an attractive destination for those seeking employment in Canada. The unskilled occupations outlined as in-demand by the provincial PEC government include:
Construction trades helpers and laborers
Light duty cleaners
Laborers in processing, manufacturing and utilities
General laborers
Cleaning Staff
Fruit Pickers
Poultry Preparers and meat cutters
New Brunswick
New Brunswick has industries such as fishing, manufacturing, and construction that require a steady supply of unskilled labor. Focusing on Canada’s smaller provinces like New Brunswick allows you to tap into the job market where your unskilled worker experience is most in-demand. The unskilled occupations in -demand in New Brunswick includes:
Warehouse general laborers (packers, assembly line workers)
Helpers
Coffee Roaster
Cleaners
General laborers
Newfoundland and Labrador
This province is known for its rich natural resources and thriving industries such as oil and gas, mining, and fishing. Newfoundland and Labrador have various programs and initiatives to attract unskilled workers to fill job vacancies in these industries. The unskilled in-demand occupations for Newfoundland and Labrador include:
Home Support Workers
Fishmongers
Retail salespersons
Contact center agents
Livestock workers
Food and beverage servers
Fish and seafood plant workers
General Farm Workers