Working in Canada

Before you immigrate, you should learn as much as possible about working in Canada. Your preparations should include updating your résumé and talking to friends, family and potential employers about the job situation in the part of Canada in which you wish to settle.

Read this section to find answers to some of your questions about finding a job and working in Canada.

Note: There is no guarantee that you will find work in your preferred occupation. You should know that, in order to work:

you may need to have your credentials (degrees and diplomas) assessed and recognized;
you may have to be licensed;
you may need to take additional courses;
you may need to successfully complete examinations; or
you may need to take a job-specific language test.
The immigration selection process does not require you to have a credential assessment, recognition of your credentials and licensing. But, they are important steps to help you find work in Canada.


Will I be able to work in Canada?

Regulated and Non-Regulated Occupations
Some professions and trades are regulated to protect public health and safety. Approximately 20 percent of the Canadian work force, including nurses, engineers, physicians, electricians and teachers, work in regulated occupations.

Regulation varies by province and by territory and occupation.

Regulatory bodies in each province and territory:

set entry requirements for individual occupations;
recognize credentials, training or experience; and
issue licences required to work in regulated occupations.
Licensing may involve:

having your credentials (degrees and diplomas) assessed and recognized;
taking additional courses;
successfully completing examinations;
working, under supervision, for a specified period of time; or
taking a job-specific language test.
Note: Licensing in regulated occupations usually requires many years of education, training, practical experience, and the successful completion of examinations. The fees charged to write examinations can be expensive.

Information about some regulated professions

What you should know if you intend to work as a:

professional engineer
registered nurse
Information on other professions, by province, is available at:
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials

Non-Regulated Occupations

If your occupation is not regulated, you do not need a licence to work.

In non-regulated occupations, employers decide on the requirements for the positions they have available. Some may ask you to successfully complete examinations, demonstrate your practical skills, or take courses before they offer you employment.

For more information on regulated and non-regulated occupations in Canada

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
Work Destinations at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Workopolis



Will my degrees and diplomas be recognized in Canada ?

Assessment of Credentials

An assessment of your credentials compares your degrees and diplomas to Canadian standards.

Having your credentials assessed will help you determine if your qualifications will be transferable to work in Canada.

However, an assessment does not guarantee that:

your credentials will be recognized by a regulatory body or employer;
you will be issued a licence to practise by a regulatory body.
You will have to pay a fee for an assessment.

Several credential assessment services will do assessments while you are outside of Canada. However, you must be aware that some employers and some regulatory bodies may ask you to complete additional assessments once you are in Canada.

Assessment of credential services, by province:
Alberta
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)


British Columbia
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)


Manitoba
Academic Credentials Assessment Service-Manitoba (ACAS)


Quebec
Comparative Evaluation for Studies Done Outside Quebec


Ontario
World Education Services-Canada


Saskatchewan
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
Saskatchewan provides this service through an interprovincial agreement with Alberta.


New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island
You may contact any of the credential assessment services listed above.


Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Yukon
You may contact any of the credential assessment services listed above.
Other assessment services
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
Comparative Education Service
For more information on assessment of credentials, contact:

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials