Jobs for New Immigrants in Canada: Where to Start and How to Get Hired

Starting a career in a new country takes time, but Canada has many free services designed to help newcomers find work. Some people start in a job in their own field; others take a first job in retail, warehouse or food service while they get their credentials recognized or improve their English or French. This guide explains the first steps, common entry points and the free help available.

First Steps Before You Apply

1. Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You need a SIN to work in Canada. You apply for it through Service Canada.
2. Check your work authorization. If you are not a permanent resident or citizen, make sure your permit allows you to work and note any conditions, such as a specific employer or occupation.
3. Open a Canadian bank account. Most employers pay by direct deposit.
4. Prepare a Canadian-style resume. Canadian resumes are short and do not include a photo, your age or your marital status.

Get Your Credentials Recognized

If you worked in a regulated profession, such as nursing, engineering, teaching or a skilled trade, you usually need a licence or certificate from the regulatory body in the province where you want to work before you can practise. The process can take months, so it is worth starting early. The Government of Canada has information on foreign credential recognition, and an educational credential assessment can show employers how your education compares to Canadian standards.

Common First Jobs for Newcomers

• Warehouse and logistics – picking, packing and shipping orders. Many roles offer full-time hours and shifts at different times of day. Amazon, for example, announced in September 2026 an average hourly base wage of $26.27 for its Canadian operations employees; this is an average, and each posting shows its own rate.
• Retail – store associate, cashier or stocker. Walmart Canada’s store postings in October 2026 listed minimum hourly rates between $15.85 and $19.05, depending on the province and the role.
• Food service – team member, baker or kitchen staff in restaurants and cafés, often with flexible shifts.
• Customer service – a good option if you speak English or French well, and a valuable skill if you also speak other languages.
• Delivery – if you have a valid Canadian driver’s licence and a vehicle. Programs such as Amazon Flex work with independent contractors who deliver with their own vehicle.

These jobs can give you Canadian work experience and references, which many employers in professional fields value.

Free Help for Newcomers

• Settlement services – the Government of Canada funds free services for newcomers, including help with job searching, resumes, interviews and understanding the Canadian workplace. You can find services near you on canada.ca.
• Language training – free English or French classes are available to eligible newcomers, such as LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) and, in Quebec, French-language programs offered by the province.
• Provincial employment services – such as Employment Ontario or WorkBC, which offer free help to anyone looking for work.
• Bridging programs – some colleges and organizations offer programs that help internationally trained professionals get back into their field in Canada.
• Mentoring and networking – many settlement agencies run programs that connect newcomers with professionals in their field.

Know Your Rights at Work

Every worker in Canada has the same basic protections, whatever their country of origin. Your employer must pay at least the minimum wage of your province or territory, follow the rules on hours, breaks and overtime, and provide a safe workplace. Human rights laws also protect you from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, national or ethnic origin, religion or sex.

Watch Out for Scams

• Real employers do not ask you to pay for a job or a job offer.
• Be careful with offers that promise high pay for little work, or that ask for your SIN or bank details before you have been hired.
• If you use an immigration consultant, check that they are authorized to give immigration advice.
• Apply on the employer’s official website whenever possible, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Tips to Get Hired

• Adapt your resume to Canadian standards and to each job you apply for.
• Explain your international experience in terms Canadian employers understand: the size of the team, the results you achieved and the tools you used.
• Practise interview answers out loud, especially examples of teamwork and customer service.
• Volunteer in your community to build local experience, references and contacts.