Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 250 thousand Ukrainian refugees have fled to Canada. Find out more about what jobs are available in Canada and what salaries Ukrainians can expect

Legal advice on education and employment for Ukrainians abroad

Get

Ukrainians who reside in Canada under the CUAET program have the right to legal employment. Currently, the Canadian labor market offers a wide range of vacancies, both with and without language skills.

So, will Ukrainian refugees be able to find a job in Canada and what salary should they expect? Let's find out in today's article.

To learn more about the countries with the highest number of employed Ukrainian refugees, please follow the link.

Is it difficult to find a job for Ukrainians in Canada?

The employment process in Canada largely depends on work experience and English language proficiency. Currently, the country is in demand for manufacturing specialties, care workers, IT specialists, agricultural workers, and truckers. 

If you are planning to move to Canada, it is better to choose small towns that offer an optimal ratio of salaries and cost of living. In addition, it is worth analyzing the saturation of the local labor market with vacancies in your specialty. For example, if you are an agricultural specialist, this will not be relevant in large cities.

The level of English proficiency directly affects the level of salary and position in the company's hierarchy. In addition, without knowledge of English, you will not be able to obtain local certificates, licenses, rights, etc. In Canada, you will have to compete not only with locals but also with migrants from all over the world. 

In the previous article, we talked about the Alberta Opportunity Stream program in Canada.

What jobs are available to Ukrainians in Canada?

In Canada, Ukrainians can find a job regardless of their knowledge of English. Job seekers who do not speak English can work in factories, warehouses, cleaning and other technical positions.

Experienced builders, butchers, truckers, and beauty industry professionals will find it quite easy to find work in Canada. Office professionals with a high level of English are also in demand. IT professionals with a good portfolio and experience in the Western market will also be able to find a job quickly.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

Employment in Canada for Ukrainians with a CUAET visa

To invite Ukrainians, like other migrants, to work in Canada, the employer must obtain a special permit. In order not to depend on the employer, migrants should use the Express Entry Canada scoring system. If there is a significant shortage of specialists in the industry, it will be quite easy to find a job.

Refugees from Ukraine and their family members who are in Canada under the CUAET program are temporary residents and have the right to official employment. Ukrainians can obtain visas and work permits regardless of an invitation from an employer or the Express Entry Canada points system. This became possible due to the simplified procedure of “open work permits”. This allowed refugees to first come to Canada and then look for work locally.

This procedure does not affect wages in any way. The salary level will depend solely on the position and the chosen province. For example, in the Atlantic provinces, salaries are somewhat lower. But in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, they are much higher. It depends on the level of development of the local economy and the cost of living.

Estimated salaries for Ukrainians in Canada

Officially employed persons in Canada can count on proper wages. The lowest minimum wage per hour is currently in the province of Saskatchewan - 14 Canadian dollars, and in the province of Alberta - 15 Canadian dollars. For federally regulated industries, such as the local postal service, Canada Post Corporation, the minimum wage will be slightly higher.

In addition, wages may be calculated based on productivity. For example, truckers have additional allowances for mileage, incentive systems, etc.

Responsible employers make every effort to maintain the loyalty of their employees in the long run. To do this, they use bonuses, corporate events, periodic salary reviews, etc.

If you found an offer with a rate of 25-30 Canadian dollars per hour immediately after moving, you are very lucky. Highly qualified professionals can apply for positions with an income level of at least $40 per hour. Top managers and other senior management positions often have annual rates.

Typically, salaries in Canada are reported before taxes. Every year, part of the taxes paid can be refunded. In addition, it should be borne in mind that this country has a differentiated system of income tax rates. That is, the higher your annual salary, the more tax you will have to pay. 

You can get help with employment abroad on the Visit Ukraine portal. Our experienced lawyers will provide a full range of services and help you go through all stages of employment, providing an individual approach and expert support at every step. You can order the support of a specialist by following this link. Read more about the service here.

We remind you! Today, Ukrainians have several types of visas available to them to enter Canada, including tourist, business, and visitor visas. Read more about how to apply and successfully complete all the steps to obtain a visa.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

In order to organize a trip, ensure a safe move and successful employment in a new country, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2024, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.