
A recent survey has suggested that by 2024, the Canadian trucking industry will have fewer than 48,000 long-haul truckers. This is great news for truck drivers as it will create an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to immigrate to Canada for this type of work.
Additionally, the Canadian trucking industry continues to face high demand and job vacancies for long-haul truck drivers.
The Canadian government has also supported all of these developments by providing work visas to eligible foreign employees seeking work as truck drivers in the country.
Prerequisites for Truck driver job in Canada (with visa sponsorship)
Let’s take a look at the requirements for getting a truck driver job in Canada.
Advertisements
This will help you know what is required to get a visa sponsored truck driver job as a foreigner in Canada.
They include the following:
- Truck driver jobs in Canada include permanent, full-time, overtime, weekend, day, night, and overnight jobs.
- A high school diploma is preferred, but not essential for this position.
- Heavy vehicle driving experience is a plus, but not essential.
- The proficiency to communicate in basic or functional English is necessary.
- Licenses, certificates, memberships, courses, and other credentials will be needed for this job.
- It is necessary to have a valid driver’s license (Class 1 or A), as well as the Air Brake Endorsement (Z).
- Types of Trucks and Equipment: Tractor Trailer, Flatbed, Refrigerated, Highway, Straight Truck (4,600kg+ or 10,000lbs+ with 3+ axles).
- Security and Safety: Basic security clearance, background check, driving record check (summary), medical exam and drug test required.
- Transportation and Travel Information: Willing to travel throughout Canada and the United States. Willing to travel during the day, evening or night, including overnight routes, and willing to travel for extended periods of time.
- Other: Candidates must have legal permission to work in Canada and be willing to operate in a two-person long-distance truck driving team.
Required Skills:
- Ability to operate and drive straight or articulated trucks for transportation of products and supplies.
- Loading and unloading of cargo, tarpaulins and ensuring cargo security
- Ability to plan your itineraries and schedules.
- You should be able to use atlases and other planning tools to plan your trip.
- Receive information and forward it to the central dispatcher.
- Ability to drive in line or as part of a two-person squad.
- They should also be able to examine the vehicle’s condition and inspect tires, lights, brakes, refrigerator compartment and other equipment.
List of top provincial programs in Canada for truck driver jobs
Here is the overview of the leading programs to find a visa sponsored truck driver job in Canada:
British Columbia
The British Columbia is a provincial program organized for truck drivers in Canada
A full-time long-distance job opportunity is the gold standard for candidates in British Columbia’s entry and intermediate category, which has over 400 positions on the job board.
Long-distance drivers can live permanently in the province.
Learn more about British Columbia immigration by visiting their website at https://www.immigration.ca/british-columbia-immigration/.
Quebec
With 837 jobs currently available, Quebec leads the province in terms of truck driver opportunities.
According to information on the Quebec government employment website, job prospects for truck drivers are “excellent” with their platform.
Visit the Quebec website at https://www.immigration.ca/en/quebecimmigrationprovincial.html.
Ontario
In July 2019, the NOC code for Haulage Truck Driver (7511) was added to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream along with three other occupations.
This means that experienced truck drivers who have a job offer in Ontario can follow a defined path to permanent residency in Canada.
Learn more about immigration at https://www.immigration.ca/en/ontario-immigration.html.
Alberta
Long-distance truck drivers are another in-demand job through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, with over 500 job listings on the job board.
Both the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Alberta Express Entry are open to truck drivers.
Manitoba
Employers interested in hiring truck drivers in Manitoba should use the Federal Employment Impact Assessment process. The Province of Manitoba’s nominee program only allows companies to hire outside of the LMIA process if certain criteria are met, such as:
B. Recruitment efforts and compliance with provincial labor laws.
Visit the Manitoba immigration website at https://www.immigration.ca/en/manitoba-immigration.html to learn more.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador, a province in the Canadian province.
The Labor Market Outlook 2025 in Newfoundland and Labrador report highlights trucking as an occupation that will require significant immigration to meet demand for vacancies. For the NLPNP Skilled Worker and Express Entry programs, trucking companies must submit an application for accreditation as an employer.
Saskatchewan
For those already working in Canada on a work permit, Saskatchewan’s immigration service has a separate truck driver subcategory.
The profession also qualifies for the province’s Express Entry and Professions In Demand categories, each targeting specific professions.
Nova Scotia
Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 7511) are one of two target jobs in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program’s Professions In-Demand stream. This provides drivers with a clear route to permanent residency.
You may hope to get a visa sponsored truck driver job in Canada through this program.
Wages for Truck Drivers in Canada
Hourly wages for truck drivers are now competitive with national and regional averages.
According to data from job banks and Statistics Canada, the median wage for truck drivers is slightly below the national average but can rise to more than $8 above that average and $32 an hour in certain circumstances.
Wages for truck drivers are expected to increase as demand in the labor market is expected to increase in the coming years.
Conclusion
If you are considering a truck driver job with visa sponsorship in Canada for foreigners then you have come to the right page. This article highlights these opportunities and the different programs that offer them.
Advertisements
Be the first to comment