What Salary Is Needed for a Canada Work Visa?

Canada does not have a fixed salary requirement for all work visas. Instead, the salary offered must meet the prevailing wage or median wage rate for the specific occupation in the specific region where the job is located. This is determined by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) based on labor market standards.

Here is a breakdown of how the salary requirement works:

1. Employer-specific requirement

The employer must offer a wage that is either equal to or greater than the median wage for that job in the area of employment. The wage must be competitive and match the standards set in the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.

2. Based on National Occupation Classification (NOC)

The salary requirement depends on your occupation’s NOC code. Each NOC code has an associated average wage, which varies by province and region. For example, an IT professional in Toronto may have a higher wage threshold than one in a smaller city.

3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

If the job offer is under the TFWP, the employer may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In such cases, the wage offered must match or exceed the prevailing wage published for that occupation and region.

4. Global Talent Stream

For certain tech-related jobs under the Global Talent Stream, there are specific minimum wage thresholds based on job type and experience level, often higher than standard wage rates.

5. Low-wage and high-wage categories

Canada divides positions into low-wage and high-wage categories, which impacts the program stream and requirements. High-wage positions generally have more stringent compliance obligations for the employer.

6. Express Entry and immigration pathways

While a job offer is not mandatory for Express Entry, if you are applying with one, it must be for a full-time, non-seasonal position that meets standard wage levels in order to qualify for additional points or eligibility.

Conclusion:

The salary requirement for a Canadian work visa is not a fixed number. It varies based on your occupation, region, and visa stream. The key rule is that the wage must meet or exceed the median wage rate for the job in the area where you’ll be working, as defined by the Canadian government.