The Best LMIA Jobs in Canada
— by Adnan Kamal
The LMIA is quite a handy and positive piece of document that can further the possibility for you as an applicant to work in Canada or Immigrate to Canada. Formerly known as Labour Market Opinion (LMO); A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is basically a document that a Canadian Employer needs to procure if they intend to hire a foreign worker. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is responsible for the process of assessing and verifying an offer of employment. This is primarily done to ensure that there is no negative impact on the Canadian Labour Market.
How does this work? This document shows that a job vacancy is available and this vacancy can only be fulfilled by a foreign worker. This document must also show that any pre-existing Canadian (PR or Citizen) does not qualify for this vacancy. This is known as a ‘positive’ LMIA and is sometimes also referred to as a confirmation letter.
Not often true, but generally obtaining a positive LMIA has higher chances if the job is located in major Canadain Cities. A specialized position with a high salary has a higher chance of a positive LMIA. With this being said, let’s take a look at some of the best LMIA jobs in Canada.
LMIA Jobs in Canada
Farm Supervisor: Agriculture is one of Canada’s key sectors for high revenue generation. Due to an expanse in this booming industry and labour shortages, there is a constant need for experienced farm workers and supervisors. The farming industry of Canada like animal production, horticulture, aquaculture and grain are responsible for over 2.3 million jobs.
To fill these shortages of an ever-growing booming industry there are programs in place such as the; Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Atlantic Immigration Pilot and some PNP streams.
Average Salary: $35,939 – $49, 286 CAD
Care-givers: Canada is home to more individuals above the age of 65 years than those who are 15 years old and under. 27% of Canada’s population is made up of Boomers (1946-1965). 16% of the population is now above the age of 65 years and it is estimated that in another decade more than 20% of Canadians will be over the age of retirement.
This has opened up opportunities for more care providers at home and for children due to the steady decline and increase in population ages and birth rates. Care-giver programs for home support and child care workers allow you to live and work in Canada as long as you fulfill the mandatory requirements. 24 months of Canadian Work Experience is needed to be eligible to apply for permanent residency after coming to Canada through this program.
Average Salary: $31,955 – $58,000 CAD
Software Engineers: The technology sector has seen an increase in job hiring over the years. Due to the pandemic and the working sector being digitized, there is a growing need to fill labour shortages across the country. The technology sector is responsible for 1 million jobs in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.
Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity are some of the key professions in Canada. This being said, Alberta and British Columbia are the best provinces for Software Engineers as their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) list Software engineers in their in-demand occupations. British Columbia to fill its labour shortages in 2019 started its own Tech Pilot Program.
Average Salary: $75,596 – $102,000 CAD
Truck Drivers: Canada is home to many key industries that rely heavily on logistic support and transportation (agriculture, oil and gas, minerals and metals etc). Truck Drivers are pretty much in demand in every province in Canada, and this makes this one of the best LMIA jobs to go after.
Wait! It gets better because there has risen a dire need to get more drivers to Canada and for this reason, the Government has waived off the requirement of LMIA for drivers in specific key industries.
Average Salary: $45,825 – $77,903 CAD
Web Designers: Coronavirus pandemic has opened up the need for more online platforms and the need for specialized Tech Professionals. This need will only increase over the years to come as more companies shift to a digitized space.
Pathways such as Global Talent Stream are in place to allow expedited work permit processing for specialized professionals and individuals with highly qualified talent. Other options include the BC Tech Pilot Program and Express Entry System.
Average Salary: $45,825 – $77,903 CAD
Electrician: The construction sector is in need of labourers and this includes a growing demand for electricians. There are 6 provinces in Canada that have a demand for Electricians; Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, The Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Programs such as The Federal Trades Program (Express Entry), various PNP programs and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program are some options to permanent residency. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot may be a great option as it is not mandatory to have a LMIA; this results in faster processing and you get to enjoy the coastal small-town life.
Average Salary: $66,300 – $84,008 CAD
Civil Engineer: Another great profession that is needed in Canada and many also stand to enjoy attractive work benefits besides good pay. Civil Engineers are in-demand in provinces such as Manitoba, New Brunswick & Saskatchewan.
This is a highly skilled and in-demand profession and this allows you to apply through multiple streams and pathways as you only need the required experience, qualifications and English Proficiency (CLB standards). A job offer is not always required through such programs as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry).
Average Salary: $66,843 – $102,000 CAD
Registered Nurses: There has been a great need for experienced and qualified healthcare professionals, where nurses have been at the top of the list. Registered Nurses are not only a high in-demand occupation but they are also highly sought after positions.
Working as a registered nurse opens you up to choices of working in the private sector or for the government. This entails high pay and many great benefits.
What’s great about this? Well, let’s say you have studied at a DLI in Canada and you’re left with Canadian Student Loan. Quite a Stressful right? But you could be eligible for a student loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 CAD over 5 years.
Average Salary: $80,126 – $94,322 CAD
Oil & Gas Drillers: As mentioned earlier, Canada has an abundant resource of natural minerals and its mining sector has created more than 1.7 million jobs for Citizens, PR holders and Foreign workers. Another reason why this is a top LMIA job is that Canada has the fourth-largest oil reserves in the world and exports its energy resources across the world.
Provinces such as Alberta & British Columbia have a high demand for Oil & Gas Drillers and their PNP programs don’t require you to obtain a work permit. So if you receive a nomination through a province, you automatically get 600 CRS points on top of what you already have and that is a guaranteed invitation to apply in the next Express Entry Draw.
Average Salary: $67,394 – $103,594 CAD
Construction Managers: Provinces such as Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan have plentiful opportunities in Canada for construction workers. These provinces also have construction managers listed as in-demand occupations under their PNP programs.
The rise in demand also comes from a rise in the need to accommodate the 1.23 million people that will be invited to apply for permanent residency by the end of 2023 as per the Immigration Levels Plan.
Average Salary: $92,240 – $142,000 CAD