Finding a Job in Canada as a Foreigner During a Pandemic
Immigrating to Canada during a pandemic may seem like the wrong choice to make for some
when in reality, the best time to move to Canada for work is now.
If one of your primary concerns for immigrating to Canada during COVID-19 is
due to uncertainty on whether or not you’ll be able to find a job, then look no further!
In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s still a good idea to find
a job and work in Canada during a pandemic.
Table of Contents
COVID-19 Situation in Canada
Luckily for Canadians, the federal and provincial governments have
come together and cooperated when it came to following COVID-19 public health initiatives.
This kept them on the lower end of the chart for COVID-19 deaths than the U.S. and Europe.
Although Canada did take a while to recognize the seriousness of
COVID-19, the government took instant action and didn’t doubt the threat it could place on the entire country.
This helped Canada control COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic,
with most provinces complying to all the rules and regulations health officials had for the entire country.
What It's Like to Work in Canada During the Pandemic
At the start of the pandemic, Canada lost more jobs than ever before.
The good news is that the labour market was able to recover most of these losses by the end of summer 2020.
While most jobs have been recovered, Canada is still in the process of recovering completely.
To help speed up the process, the federal government has responded by enhancing the Employment Insurance (EI) program, implementing a Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
which provides $500 dollars for two weeks if workers have contracted COVID, and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
which covers up to 65% of an employee’s wages for qualifying eligible employers.
So let’s say you were to work in Canada during the pandemic; not only will you receive the benefits mentioned above, but you’ll also be eligible for
other excellent employment benefits that only Canada can offer.
As of today, all employees working in Canada are eligible to receive these benefits to reassure them that it’s more than okay to work during these challenging times.
COVID-19's Impact on Migrant Workers
The losses of migrant workers due to COVID-19 have been quite alarming.
Due to the rapid deaths of immigrant and local workers in Canada,
most federal and provincial governments have decided that the best solution to recovering the countries working population
Would be to increase the number of immigrants they accept in 2021 and the coming years.
This is great news for foreigners who plan to migrate to Canada for work,
mainly because the chances of working in Canada are much higher than they were before.
Commonly Asked Questions
Foreigners may choose from a wide range of work permits. To work in Canada, you’ll need to start with a work permit if you haven’t received your permanent residency or citizenship.
You can also apply for permanent residency if a Canadian employer has hired you.
Although it may be challenging to find jobs specifically for immigrants in Canada, foreigners can
still come to Canada to find work and become a permanent resident through other immigration programs
that doesn’t require you to secure a job offer before moving to Canada, such as qualifying for the Express Entry pool.
From there, immigrants can then find jobs that would best suit their work experience and skills without the pressure of needing to find work right away.
Technically speaking, you may search for work with a visitor’s visa, but you can only apply for a work permit if you’ve secured a job offer first.
To do this, you will need to head back to your home country and apply for a work permit from your local Canadian visa office.
The easiest way to get a job in Canada is to apply for jobs through a job search site from your home country or get help from a
Canadian employment agency to help you find jobs within your level of expertise and experience.
They can quickly help create a well-written Canadian resume to send to employers and help you through interviews with potential employers.
Like any other Canadian business, temporary foreign workers will be treated with similar employment termination rules and regulations.
Whether a temporary foreign worker or a regular employee, if the company chooses to lay you off from the job due to the pandemic, termination is inevitable.
What temporary foreign workers can do is find a new job during the first month of being laid off to replace their previous position.
Absolutely!
Ever since the pandemic, there has been a common misconception that making big decisions such as immigrating should be moved towards a better time of year where the world isn’t
Battling a pandemic, when it’s better to move now than later!
Canada is still ranked as one of the best countries to immigrate to due to its political stability,
low-crime rates, employment benefits, world-class healthcare, and overall good living conditions, making the country still worthy to migrate to in 2021.
Popular Canadian Immigration Programs During the Pandemic
The pandemic has pushed federal and provincial governments to create new immigration programs that specifically cater to immigrants during COVID-19.
But there are still 3 popular programs that most immigrant workers apply for no matter what the situation, such as:
The Express Entry is one of the most popular and fastest immigration programs for skilled workers seeking a better life in Canada.
If you’re a foreign worker who wishes to work in a specific province in Canada during the pandemic, you’ll need to apply through the Provincial Nominee Program.
Another popular mode of immigration to Canada would be the Family Class Sponsorship program.
This program lets a family member who has already been accepted into Canada as a permanent resident or citizen,
sponsor you to come to Canada and find a job during the pandemic.
Trending Jobs in Canada during COVID-19
Developers are starting to become a common job during the Pandemic.
With everyone indoors, this results in Canadians spending more time online than ever before.
Developers can help online businesses, troubleshoot bugs in platforms,
and build tools for employers to use for their workforce if they decide to transition to work from home.
Ever since the drop in sales for most non-essential businesses in Canada during the pandemic,
the need for additional sales representatives and account managers has
risen dramatically to get all the help they can when it comes to promoting their products and services.
Nurses and healthcare workers are considered the most popular job occupations during the Pandemic.
With a high influx of incoming COVID-19 patients being admitted into hospitals and clinics every day,
Canada has been experiencing a shortage of nurses and doctors,
resulting in such a high demand for foreign healthcare workers to fill up these shortages throughout the country.
With the demand for online shopping in Canada and essential retailers experiencing increased sales,
truck drivers are often needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foreign workers who have a license to drive commercial trucks are needed to refresh inventory daily.
Popular Canadian Immigration Programs During the Pandemic
When it comes to housing in Canada during the Pandemic, economists have predicted that
Canada’s home prices will drop by 7% in 2021 due to Covid-19, which brings the cost of purchasing an average home in Canada to around $50,000 Canadian dollars less than it was in 2020.
The good news for foreign workers who wish to move to Canada is that the overall cost of living within the country, which includes day-to-day necessities, food, and transportation still continues
to be more affordable than other top immigration destinations such as Australia and the USA even after being hit by a recession.
COVID-19 Travel Requirements for Immigration to Canada
Once you’ve received a job offer from your employer along with your permanent residency card,
the last step you’ll need to take is to arrive in Canada!
But it’s best to know exactly what travel requirements are needed before the big day, to make sure that your entrance to “The Great White North” goes smoothly.
Listed below are some important Canadian travel requirements to take note of.
- Anyone who arrives in Canada is required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
- All incoming travelers must test negative for COVID-19 72 hours before their flight to Canada from another country.
- Air travelers heading to Canada are required to submit all their information digitally through Canada’s ArriveCAN app before they board their flight.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines in a Canadian Workplace
When it comes to the safety guidelines in a Canadian workplace during COVID-19, all
immigrant workers must oblige and know exactly how to practice these policies at your new workplace.
To get you prepared beforehand, we’ve provided you with a list of guidelines you can practice in advance before starting your first day at a Canadian workplace during the pandemic.
- Stay at home if you start to feel sick.
- Always practice social distancing, such as staying 6 feet apart from the person you’re working with.
- Keep your masks on at all times.
- Practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands before and after lunch breaks, after entering the workplace, after touching surfaces and paperwork, and after attending team meetings.
- If you’re still unsure about the guidelines in a Canadian workplace during COVID-19, it’s always best to ask your supervisor for more information.
- Never let someone who’s in self-isolation to report to work before they complete their quarantine period.
Overall, there is still no better time to work in Canada and the process of finding jobs in Canada for foreigners during these tough times can be surprisingly easier than it used to be.
Many Canadian employers are in need of employees now more than ever, which gives foreign workers a better chance at working and immigrating to Canada this year than in the future.
