Fancy making a move to the Great North? Well, then this article is for you.

With a secured job offer in your stipulated NOC occupation, you stand a chance of successful immigration to Canada. With over 100 immigration programs and visas to choose from, you can make your way to this gorgeous country that offers loads of potential.

If you’re considering a job in Canada as a truck driver, you’re on the right track. With the current in-demand shortage of truckers, you stand a chance of making a successful career as a truck driver with a decent wage in a country that offers a high quality of life.

You’d be delighted to know the abundance of opportunities that awaits you as a truck driver in Canada. The industry offers its drivers a chance to explore new opportunities, a decent salary and a content lifestyle.

According to Canada Job Bank, from 2019-2028, there’s 119,900 new job openings, leaving 96,600 new job seekers predicted to fill these trucker positions.

We do, however, urge foreign nationals to ensure that they’re able to secure a job offer before immigrating to Canada. Searching for jobs in Canada for foreigners is no walk through the park.

Understandably so, prospective candidates are encouraged to conduct the necessary research on the various Canadian provinces before choosing to live and work in Canada. You can find out more about regional prospects for the demand for truck drivers specific to region or territory here.

But before we dive into the nitty gritty details about the plentiful immigratin pathways for truck drivers, and how you can apply for a trucker job in Canada, let’s first have a look at the requirements.

In this article, you will discover your eligibility to apply as a truck driver in Canada, the immigration programs available for truckers, as well as the overall steps involved in the application process.

Step 1: Know the Employment Requirements

So, if you’re thinking of venturing forth into the trucker industry, then you should know what the requirements are before you apply for the job. Below, we outline the employment requirements for truck drivers in Canada:

  • You should have completed secondary school.
  • You can expect to have on-the-job training.
  • You should have completed a driving course of three months from a designated school or college.
  • For a truck with a straight body, you may require a Class 3 or D licence.
  • For longer combination vehicles, you may require a Class 1 or A licence.
  • You may need to have an air brake endorsement: this allows the driver to operate vehicles with air brakes.
  • You may be required to present a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification if you’re going to transport hazardous, dangerous goods.
  • Any other additional licensing that may be required, depending on the type of truck.

The table below is derived from Canada Job Bank and it shows the provinces that are regulating the truck driver occupation:

Location Job title Regulation Regulatory body
Alberta Oil And Gas Transportation Services Regulated Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office, Government of Alberta
British Columbia Driver (oil And Gas Industry) Regulated Worksafe BC
Ontario Propane Truck Operator Regulated Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Ontario Tractor-trailer Commercial Driver Regulated Ontario College of Trades
Québec Line Truck Driver Regulated Emploi Québec
Québec Truck Driver Regulated Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
 

Bear in mind that employment requirements may differ as eligibility depends on the province or program you’re applying to for the job. You may want to check if the occupation is regulated in the chosen province.

Step 2: Conduct Thorough Research on the Job Prospects in the Province.

The last thing you want to do is end up as a truck driver in a Canadian province that doesn't require your skills. You can avoid this by conducting thorough research on the employment opportunities available within the province, researching the current economic state and standard of living before applying for a job.

While you’re at it, you should also research the program criteria. Note that the program criteria and employment requirements function independently from each other. Therefore, you should ensure that you’re able to meet both sets of criteria.

Step 3: Check which Immigration Programs are Available for Truck Drivers

At this point, you’re able to meet the employment requirements and you’ve chosen your province or territory, now you need to know which programs are suitable for you. As a truck driver wanting to live and work in Canada, you need to know which programs you can apply to.

While there are a number of programs to choose from, these are the most suitable programs for truck drivers applying for a job in Canada:

1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program:

This program was introduced by the Canadian government for those who wish to seek out jobs in Canada for foreigners. It allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals who are able to fill the skill shortage in a province or territory. The employer should first explore the local Canadian market before seeking out an immigrant to fill the labour gap. Because of this, your employer will need to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document will serve as proof that your employer is authorized to hire a foregin national as a temporary worker.

2. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is targeted at skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to gain permanent residency in Canada. Even better, if you’re a foreign worker or an international graduate who is attending a Canadian institution, but wish to live and work in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, then this program is for. However, before applying, double-check the requirements to ensure eligibility.

3. Provincial Nomination Provincial (PNP):

Immigrants who wish to live and work in Canada should have the right skill types, education and work experience for the job. The skills that you possess should be high in-demand in the province you choose to settle in. Bear in mind that various provinces in Canada have their own fair share of needs, which makes the standard and processes specific to the province or region.

Apply to the Express Entry System as a Truck Driver

The express Entry system is an online points-driven system that comprises three immigration pathways:

  1. Canadian Experience Class
  2. Federal Skilled Program
  3. Federal Skilled Trades Program

Under Express Entry, candidates with the most points will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) before they can start applying to the Express Entry programs. Should you qualify for the programs under Express Entry, you will most likely have the option of applying for a temporary work permit.

This is how you can apply for the PNP as a truck driver through the Express Entry - the process is two-fold:

1. Select a province or territory and expect to be nominated accordingly. Once you’ve been nominated by a province/territory, your application will be assessed by an immigration officer to check if you meet the program criteria. You may be contacted for additional information.

Top tip: Different provinces have their own set of challenges so we urge candidates to conduct thorough research before choosing a province. You want to consider factors such as employment opportunities, cost of living and safety and security before choosing a province.

2. The second way to apply is to create an Express Entry profile

that indicates to the provinces/territories that you would like a nomination from them. You will be contacted through your Express Entry profile to inform you to contact them and apply through their stream. You will receive your nomination electronically through your account if you’re nominated.

Top tip: Candidates should always double-check which territories/provinces have the PNP so they can apply under the correct province.

Step 4: Know the Application process.

Now that you’re eligible for the job and program, you would have your ideal trucker job lined up in a province of your choosing. In addition to this, you would need to know what are the steps involved to apply.

Below are the steps to apply for your trucker job irrespective of the program you choose:

  1. Step 1: Find Your NOC (truck drivers: NOC 7511)
  2. Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
  3. Step 3: Find a Job and Secure a Job Offer
  4. Step 4: Know Which type of Work Permit is Required
  5. Step 5: Gather all Supporting Documents and Fill in all Required Fields
  6. Step 6: Pay the Fees and Submit Your Application

Just a reminder: before you submit your application, always double-check that you haven’t omitted any fields and that you have the necessary supporting documents attached to your application. Thereafter, you can mail your application to the stipulated address contained within the instructions guide.

What Are You Waiting For? Your Truck Driver Job in Canada Awaits You…

As you can see, the trucker industry doesn’t have to be all that bad, especially if it's in Canada - a country that enables consistent employment opportunities with a decent salary. While the wage is subject to the province, you can expect to earn between $16.00 and $33.08 per hour, while you get to explore various parts of Canada.

Still uncertain about the way forward? Consider partnering with one of the regulated bodies or companies which we have reviewed for guidance and support.

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