Live and work in Canada, a country in North America that stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the border with the United States in the south. With an area of ​​almost 10 million square kilometers, Canada is the world's second-largest country. Despite its large area, Canada is a sparsely populated country but one of the most well-developed countries in the Western world.

Canada's labor market is solid and active and welcomes foreign workers with the right qualifications. Compared to the USA, it is much easier for a non-citizen to move to work in Canada due to its open economy and labor market. If you have good experience and education, the dream of moving to work in Canada is not far away.

The labor market when you are going to work in Canada

Most of the jobs when you want to work in Canada can be found in larger cities such as Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto. The labor market in Canada is mostly knowledge-based and they are constantly looking for workers from other parts of the world who can contribute with the right knowledge.

Your occupation can therefore be to your advantage when it comes to working in Canada. Namely, Canada is in need of developing skills in certain work areas in which the domestic workforce is in short supply.

They are therefore looking for immigrants who can contribute with this knowledge and thus move the country forward. Examples of such professions are engineer, psychology, doctor and teaching.

There is no shortage of raw materials industry in the country either. Here you can work in Canada in, among other things, the forest or oil industry. These jobs are not concentrated in the major cities alone but extend through all parts of the country.

Roughly speaking, you could say that the labor market is divided when you are going to work in Canada. Canada is a bilingual country with French in the eastern parts and English in the rest. Although those who live in the French-speaking part of the country usually speak good English, the jobs here usually require mandatory knowledge of French.

Canada is also divided into different provinces where there are different rules when it comes to working in Canada. But in the vast majority of cases, before you move to work in Canada, you need an employer who can vouch for them to hire you.

State

Since Canada is not part of the EU, you need to arrange a work permit to work in Canada. In order to get a work permit, you need to be able to show in one way or another that you can be of benefit to the country. For example, having a certain education, work experience or other qualifications that Canada can benefit from. As we mentioned earlier, Canada is constantly looking for labor from outside as long as you have something to contribute to the country.

If you do not have a work permit, you can also apply for various "special" visas. You may have previously worked or studied in Canada and now want to use your degree in the country. There is also a type of agreement between Canada and Sweden that allows Swedish students to live in the country and look for jobs in Canada for a limited time. In recent cases, you, therefore, do not need a completed work permit to be able to move to work in Canada.

There are also Swedish companies stationed in Canada as well as Swedish travel companies looking for Swedes for seasonal jobs. In these cases, you can contact the Swedish companies directly and through them get more information about what applies when you are going to work in Canada.

A tip is to also look for a job in Canada among one of our neighboring countries' travel companies, such as Norway or Denmark. Then it opens more doors to finding a job in Canada.

See all available jobs here!

Visa to work in Canada

Before you go to work in Canada, you need to apply for a visa. The application looks different depending on the reason. Are you going to work in Canada, study for a certain period or have you perhaps met love in the country? Is the plan to stay permanently or within a certain period? Depending on what the reason is, the conditions for visas look different.

As a Swede, the application for a visa takes place at the Canadian Embassy in London. You do not have to visit the embassy in person, it is enough to submit your application online. If you have already got a job in Canada and will therefore stay to work in Canada for a couple of years, the application, with a certificate from your employer, usually goes relatively quickly. Once you have received your visa, you just need to leave for your new country of employment.

Working holiday visa

If you have not already received a job in Canada and thus a work certificate for you to work in Canada, there are still opportunities to apply for a visa. You can, for example, apply for a so-called "Working holiday" visa. This is a visa that you can apply for between the ages of 18 and 30. The visa gives you the chance to go to Canada and look for a job there. You then have 12 months to be in Canada with the option to extend your stay by another 12 months.

The process for this type of visa is, in short, that you first apply to work in Canada. Once you get your application through, you have a little less than a month to submit your final application. Every year, a quota is set on how many of these visas can be issued in Sweden, so make sure to be out in good time so that the visas do not have time to "run out".

Federal skilled worker

Another type of visa you can apply for is a so-called "Federal skilled worker" visa. This is suitable for you who are over 30 years old and have good work experience. Here you will need to take a test to see if you are suitable for this visa. The test is based, among other things, on whether you have certain types of work skills that are in demand in Canada. What are your previous education, work experience, language skills in English and French, and other similar factors? Here, too, you first submit an application to apply to work in Canada.

Since Swedes are generally sought after because of their good language skills and work ethic, we have good opportunities to get this type of visa. As soon as you receive your visa, you are ready to go to work in Canada.

Accommodation when you are going to work in Canada

When you are going to work in Canada, you need to find a place to live. Whether you are going to stay for a longer period or for a shorter visit, accommodation options are good in Canada. The first thing you need to consider is where in Canada you want to live. If you have already got a job in Canada, the destination may already be chosen. Otherwise, you have to decide which part of Canada you want to live in and whether you want to live in a big city or in the countryside.

As most of the jobs are in the larger cities, it is also here that many choose to settle. The housing market is also large in the southern part of Canada, as many choose to live near the border with the United States.

If you want to live along the coast, you can find unique accommodations with Canadian architecture. As the country stretches over such a large area, the climate can also be decisive as this varies depending on which part of Canada you choose. Even the culture differs.

If you are going to stay to work in Canada for a longer period, it is preferable to rent your own apartment or a house. However, should you stay for a shorter period, there are plenty of hotels and hostels. There are many choices of accommodation for you who are going to work in Canada, whether you go through companies or individuals.

Rent

Housing prices vary, of course, depending on where you will work in Canada. As in all other countries, the rents are all the more expensive in the larger cities and the closer to the center you choose to live in. People from all over the world have taken the plunge to work in Canada and some of the more common cities to settle in are Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto. So the prices here tend to be quite high when compared to the prices in the sparsely populated countryside.

If you have just moved to Canada, housing in a collective is recommended. Partly because you then share, not only on the housing cost but also on bills such as electricity and water. But also because it is a golden chance to get to know new people from all parts of the world. Why not take the opportunity to exchange language skills with your roomies and learn a new language along the way.

A good place to look for accommodation is Craig's List, which is North America's equivalent of The Block. Here you choose which part of the country you are looking for and what type of accommodation you are looking for. Here you can find accommodation for both first-hand contracts, subletting, or shared accommodation. Another good forum is Facebook, there are lots of groups where you can share tips and advice from others who already live in Canada.

Canadians value personality and being polite highly. Therefore, make sure to be polite and personal in your application for accommodation. In this way, you will notice that it is easier for you to get a pacifier by creating trust.

Preparations

When you are moving to work in Canada, it can be good to be well prepared with what you can arrange at home. If you are going to be away for a longer period of time, longer than a year, you must notify the Swedish Tax Agency of your move. When you have registered your move, the tax authority will forward the information to other essential authorities such as the municipality, the county council, insurance companies and banks so that these are updated.

Even if you register to move, you of course still retain your Swedish citizenship and you can easily register in Sweden again. You must also notify the insurance fund that you are going to work in Canada if you are going to work in Canada for more than 12 months.

Remember to also notify those in your vicinity so they are updated about your move. If you have an apartment in Sweden, it can also be good to cancel it in time or find someone to rent it to. Remember that it is more difficult to keep track of your tenant when you are now going to work in Canada, so be careful who you choose so it is someone you trust.

Since you will be moving quite a distance, it can be an advantage not to move with too much luggage. Therefore, make sure you have somewhere to store your belongings during the period you will be working in Canada. If you are not sure if you are going to move back to Sweden again, it may be good to sell most of it.

If, on the other hand, you should bring something larger that will not fit on the flight, it is good if you check transport and customs fees. Also remember to check the validity period so that all your important documents are up to date, such as your passport, driver's license, and bank card. Namely, it is more difficult to renew these from the other side of the world.

To come up with Canada is known for its welcoming atmosphere, lively cities and not to mention its outstanding nature and wildlife. With majestic mountain ranges, cascading fjords, emerald-green lakes, and astonishing glaciers. In many places, nature is untouched and offers the same view as when the first people discovered the place. Something that you just have to be part of when you are going to work in Canada is meeting a polar bear. People around the world usually joke that in Sweden you share the streets with polar bears. In the town of Churchill, Manitoba, this is a reality. Once a year, when the sea ice melts, the polar bears go ashore in Churchill. And becomes part of the population's everyday life for a couple of months before the ice returns and the polar bears go out to sea again.

Speaking of amazing nature, nothing less than Niagara Falls is located in Canada and is definitely worth at least one visit when you are going to work in Canada. So make your way to eastern North America, at the border between Canada and the United States, and witness this spectacular tourist destination. Niagara Falls is a group of waterfalls in the Niagara River and is the most visited waterfall in the world. Given its magical atmosphere, it's no wonder that many films have had scenes shot right here.

Another magical experience that Canada's nature offers is also the "Rocky mountains". A mountain range that stretches from Canada down to the southern United States. This mountain range offers more than a thousand different peaks that stretch 4000 meters above sea level. This is a view that feels taken straight from a fairy tale. Visitors come here all year round and every year the Rocky mountains have millions of people visiting the mountains.

Culture Most of us has probably at some point read or at least heard about Anne at Grönkulla. A youth book read by young people around the world and written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The book takes place on a farm on the island of Prince Edward Island in Canada. The estate is called Green Gables and has become one of the most famous literary locations in Canada. Therefore, experience culture and literature in one when you live and work in Canada and visit the place where Anne på Grönkulla takes place.

Go to Quebec which belongs to the French part of Canada. To experience a compote of French delicacies, jazzy music where accordion and saxophone are prominent instruments. Cozy little cobbled streets filled with cozy cafes and art on every corner. A city whose culture really must be experienced when you are going to work in Canada.

If you happen to pass by Montreal, which is located in Quebec and is Canada's second-largest city, when you are going to work in Canada, you must not miss The Underground City. This is actually just as the name says, an underground city. Underground passages of 30 kilometers lead up to a city filled with shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, and even housing. Here you can spend hours shopping, enjoying good food or why not watch the latest released film.

Toronto

If you are going to live and work in Canada, it is almost a must to visit Canada's largest city, Toronto. Here you can mix art and cultural experiences by visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, going to concerts, experiencing the CN tower or why not swing by the famous St Lawrence market. Then spend a full day in Toronto island park. An island with beautiful nature where you can do everything from spending the whole day on the beach, experiencing nature on a hiking trip, having a picnic in magical parks to playing golf, fishing, taking a horse ride or visiting the amusement park with over 30 attractions.

Not to mention Toronto's offering of dining experiences. Here there are restaurants in all foodways. Everything from hidden little bars with homemade delicacies to world-class Michelin restaurants. In Toronto, you never have to go hungry.

There is an incredible amount to see and experience when you go to work in Canada, the world's second-largest country, full of offers and opportunities.