Truck Driver Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship (2024)

Truck drivers are in high demand across Canada due to the vital role they play in the supply chain and logistics industries. With the growing need for transportation of goods and the shortage of skilled drivers, Canadian employers are increasingly looking to hire foreign workers, providing visa sponsorship for qualified truck drivers. In 2024, several immigration and work visa programs are available to foreign truck drivers who wish to work in Canada.

This guide will explore truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship, how to apply, and the immigration pathways available for foreign truck drivers in 2024.

Why Truck Drivers Are in Demand in Canada

Canada’s vast geography and reliance on overland transportation make truck driving an essential profession. Many industries, from agriculture and retail to manufacturing, depend on the timely transport of goods across provinces and international borders. However, there is a shortage of skilled truck drivers in the country, which has led to Canadian employers seeking foreign workers to fill this gap.

1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for Truck Drivers

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is one of the main pathways for foreign truck drivers to work in Canada. Under this program, Canadian employers can hire foreign nationals to fill labor shortages when no Canadian workers are available. Truck driving is one of the occupations that frequently receives sponsorship through the TFWP.

Key Details:

• Who is eligible? Experienced truck drivers from foreign countries who have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
• How it works: Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrates that there is a shortage of local truck drivers. Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit.
• Job offers: Truck drivers must secure a valid job offer from a Canadian trucking company that is willing to sponsor the LMIA.

How to Apply:

1. Find an employer in Canada offering truck driver positions with visa sponsorship.
2. Ensure the employer applies for and receives a positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
3. Apply for a work permit once the LMIA is approved, along with other required documents such as your passport, driver’s license, and proof of experience.

Benefits:

• Work permits under the TFWP allow foreign truck drivers to work in Canada legally for a designated period (usually tied to the employer).
• Once in Canada, there are opportunities to transition to permanent residency through various immigration programs.

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Truck Drivers

Several Canadian provinces actively recruit foreign truck drivers through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP allows provinces to nominate foreign workers for permanent residency based on the labor needs of their region. Many provinces, especially those with a high demand for truck drivers, have special streams for foreign workers in this occupation.

Key Provinces Offering Truck Driver Sponsorship:

• British Columbia (BC): BC’s Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category includes truck drivers and offers pathways to permanent residency.
• Ontario: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) often includes truck drivers in its in-demand occupations list.
• Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has a stream specifically for long-haul truck drivers under its Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry categories.
• Alberta: Truck drivers are included in Alberta’s Rural Renewal Stream, which targets labor shortages in rural areas.

How to Apply:

1. Apply for a truck driving job in one of the provinces that offer sponsorship under PNP.
2. After securing a job offer, the employer may support your PNP application by providing the required documents.
3. Once nominated by the province, you can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Benefits:

• Provincial Nomination leads to permanent residency, allowing truck drivers and their families to settle in Canada long-term.
• Truck drivers can apply for permanent residency without the need for an LMIA, depending on the provincial program.

3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) for Truck Drivers

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is another popular pathway for foreign truck drivers. The AIP targets labor shortages in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Truck driving is one of the key occupations eligible under this program.

Key Details:

• Who is eligible? Foreign truck drivers with a valid job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
• How it works: Employers in Atlantic provinces can hire foreign truck drivers without needing an LMIA if the company is designated under the AIP.
• Job offers: Truck drivers need to secure a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an AIP-designated employer.

How to Apply:

1. Find a truck driving job with a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
2. Apply for permanent residency through the AIP after securing the job offer and meeting the eligibility requirements (work experience, language skills, etc.).
3. Truck drivers can live and work in the Atlantic provinces while waiting for permanent residency approval.

Benefits:

• A streamlined process for permanent residency.
• No need for an LMIA, which simplifies the sponsorship process for employers.
• Immediate access to settlement services in the Atlantic provinces.

4. Canada’s Express Entry System – Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For experienced truck drivers who meet certain criteria, Canada’s Express Entry system offers another pathway to permanent residency. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) within Express Entry is designed for skilled workers with work experience, language proficiency, and other qualifications that can contribute to the Canadian economy.

Key Details:

• Who is eligible? Skilled truck drivers with work experience, language proficiency (English or French), and sufficient points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
• How it works: Truck drivers who qualify under the FSWP can create an Express Entry profile and be invited to apply for permanent residency based on their CRS score.

How to Apply:

1. Check your eligibility for the FSWP by assessing your work experience, language ability, education, and other factors.
2. Create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool of candidates.
3. If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), submit your application for permanent residency.

Benefits:

• A direct route to permanent residency without the need for employer sponsorship.
• Truck drivers with high CRS scores may receive faster invitations to apply for permanent residency.

5. Truck Driving Schools in Canada with Job Placement

For foreign nationals interested in gaining Canadian experience before entering the workforce, enrolling in a Canadian truck driving school can be a strategic way to secure a job. Many truck driving schools in Canada offer training programs followed by job placement opportunities with visa sponsorship for foreign graduates.

Key Details:

• Who is eligible? Foreign nationals interested in obtaining Canadian truck driving licenses (Class 1 or Class A).
• How it works: After completing training, many schools have partnerships with Canadian employers who sponsor work permits for their graduates.

How to Apply:

1. Enroll in a Canadian truck driving school and complete the required training program.
2. Obtain a Canadian truck driving license.
3. Work with the school’s job placement service to find an employer willing to sponsor a work visa.

Benefits:

• Gain Canadian experience and credentials, which improve job prospects.
• Opportunities for job placement and visa sponsorship after graduation.

Conclusion

With the demand for truck drivers in Canada expected to rise in 2024, there are numerous visa sponsorship opportunities for foreign nationals. Whether through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Programs, or specialized immigration streams like the Atlantic Immigration Program, foreign truck drivers have various pathways to work and settle in Canada. By securing a job offer from a Canadian employer and meeting the necessary immigration requirements, you can embark on a rewarding career in Canada’s trucking industry.