Desk of Contents
Even for those who’re a international truck driver who has expertise and credentials from their house nation, you usually must have your credentials acknowledged by a provincial or territorial authority earlier than you begin driving a truck in Canada. We’ll undergo the essential steps for somebody who desires to maneuver to Canada to turn out to be a truck driver.
The principle distinction right here is that you must be accepted by one in every of Canada’s immigration streams and that usually means having a job supply ready for you in Canada. Most foreigners involved in driving a truck will have already got some expertise. So, the query turns into whether or not you will get any of your credentials accepted in Canada.
Fundamental necessities for foreigners to drive truck in Canada
Bear in mind, nonetheless, you’ll have to be accepted by Canadian immigration authorities beneath no matter stream you select to use. In view of this, the easiest way in is thru a provincial nominee program (PNP), if one exists. For instance:
- In BC you possibly can apply by the Entry Degree and Semi-Expert class for work as a long-haul truck driver as a path to everlasting residency. To qualify, it’s essential to:
- Have a full-time, everlasting job supply
- Have been beforehand working in your employer for no less than 9 consecutive months, which suggests it’s essential to already be in Canada on a short lived work allow.
- Be licensed or licensed to do your job
- Earn a wage in step with current provincial wage charges for that job
- Meet language (English proficiency) and schooling (secondary college accomplished) necessities
- Have the ability to help your loved ones
- Have authorized standing in Canada
- To begin, go to BCPNP On-line to register and begin creating your profile.
- In Alberta, the Alberta Benefit Immigration Program (AAIP) has a number of streams for employees. The Alternative Stream is for international employees already dwelling in Alberta, working full-time and with a everlasting job supply from a certified employer. You could additionally:
- Have a optimistic LMIA (Labor Market Impression Evaluation) or an LMIA exemption
- Not be a refugee claimant
- Not be dwelling in one other province or territory
- Have legitimate short-term authorized standing in Canada
- Be an eligible occupation in Alberta – truck drivers are eligible. Taxi drivers and limousine drivers are ineligible in keeping with the Alberta authorities.
- You’ll want CLB rating of 4 in all English Language (or French) abilities. This interprets to: IELTS 4.5 for listening, 3.5 for studying, and 4.0 for talking and writing.
- Have accomplished secondary schooling that’s equal to Alberta highschool ranges together with an academic credential evaluation (ECA) from a acknowledged Academic Credential Evaluation Service Supplier.
- Have a minimal of 12 months of labor expertise as a truck driver in Alberta within the final 18 months OR have a minimal of 24 months of labor expertise in Canada or overseas within the final 30 months.
- In Saskatchewan, the province’s Lengthy-Haul Truck Drivers program affords you the opportunity of everlasting residence similar to BC and Alberta however is a bit of simpler on the necessities. You might want to have labored as a full-time short-term international employee for simply 6 months earlier than making use of for PR standing as soon as your organization affords you a everlasting full-time job. As well as, it’s essential to:
- Have a 1A Saskatchewan drivers license
- Have a everlasting full-time job supply from an accredited Saskatchewan employer
- Have a CLB English take a look at of 4 or greater (See IELTS equal scores straight above within the Alberta program)
- Have a sound SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program) Job Approval Letter
- Go right here to open an account with SINP On-line and begin the method.
- In Manitoba, employers trying to rent worldwide employees as long-haul truck drivers should now meet some upgraded necessities, together with:
- Acquire a optimistic LMIA inside the final 12 months
- Have beforehand used Canada Job Financial institution to promote the place at regular wages
- Adjust to Necessary Entry Degree Coaching (MELT) as structured by Manitoba Public Insurance coverage
- Rent worldwide truck drivers from nations with requirements much like North America
- Adjust to Manitoba’s Employee Recruitment and Safety Act (WRAPA)
- Show to Manitoba’s Employer Providers that the worldwide truck driver has NOT needed to pay to acquire their job at any level within the recruitment course of
- Present a very good report of hiring worldwide truck drivers up to now
Truck drivers themselves in Manitoba should:
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- Be between 21 and 50 years outdated
- Have labored a minimal of three years in a jurisdiction with comparable requirements to Manitoba
- Present reference letters and different proof of employment
- Have a sound English take a look at (like IELTS) with CLB 5 requirements (that is harder than BC, Alberta, or Saskatchewan)
- Be absolutely vetted in a video-conference video by the employer who desires to rent you
- Absolutely disclose any paid consultant serving to you at any level within the recruitment and immigration course of.
In different phrases, Manitoba may not be your finest first alternative until you are feeling you’re as much as their harder requirements.
- In Ontario, the In-Demand Expertise stream permits international employees each in Ontario and overseas to use for everlasting residence. You want a job supply in Ontario after which you must register with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s OINP Expression of Curiosity System, a web based portal. You present your profile on the portal, acquire an Invitation to Apply after which apply for a nomination by the Ontario program. You then are screened by IRCC and hopefully, they approve your utility for everlasting resident as a truck driver in Ontario. Your job supply should:
- Full-time and everlasting
- In an eligible occupation (transport truck drivers are eligible)
- Your job is NOT restricted to being exterior the GTA (Higher Toronto Space) like another occupations
- You should be paid the median wages degree
- Your place should be urgently wanted by your employer
- Your work should be based mostly in Ontario
The truck driver in Ontario should:
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- Have obtained an ITA from OINP
- Be certified in keeping with Canadian requirements
- Have 9 months expertise inside the final 3 years
- Have or acquire a sound business driver license in Ontario
- Have CLB 4 language necessities as proved by a take a look at like IELTS
- Have accomplished secondary college or its equal overseas and likewise present an ECA (instructional credential evaluation)
Quebec and the Maritime provinces have packages with comparable necessities apart from the apparent language necessities in Quebec (it’s essential to converse French).
*Please notice that this analysis was accomplished in early 2023, and PNP packages change on a regular basis. Do your personal analysis earlier than transferring ahead.
Step 1: Get a job supply in Canada.
You’ll have to discover a firm keen to rent you from overseas and make sure you meet their necessities. Nevertheless, this received’t be fairly as troublesome because it might sound, given the overwhelming demand for truck drivers which can be anticipated over the subsequent decade as retiring drivers and a rising economic system leaves many positions unfilled. Overview the job necessities that provincial nominee packages are demanding. So long as you adjust to these calls for, you have to be in good condition so far as any firm’s necessities. Additionally bear in mind to be sure to know what kind of driver’s license you want – Usually Class 1 for longer tractor trailers or Semis and Class 3 for smaller straight-body vans.
In the event you’ll be driving a truck with airbrakes, you’re going to wish an airbrakes endorsement from the provincial regulatory authority. You’ll additionally want a TDG (Transportation of Harmful Items) certificates for those who’ll be transporting issues like hazardous supplies or flammable merchandise. Nevertheless, these kinds of jobs normally require a number of years of expertise in Canada, so it’s not going you’ll begin with these kinds of jobs.
Tip: Another choice is to acquire a short lived work allow for less complicated trucking jobs you can begin with – like an city supply truck or a tow-truck, work for a couple of yr after which attempt to acquire a full-time everlasting job and start the method of making use of to a PNP or on to Specific Entry. Bear in mind for those who get a provincial nomination, your odds of getting accepted for everlasting residence by IRCC go method up.
Step 2: Register with and apply by a provincial on-line portal.
Bear in mind to take an English take a look at – as you’ll be overseas, we advise IELTS. See the above for the required scores. You’ll additionally have to get an ECA or instructional credentials evaluation in your secondary college. You’ll discover extra data on ECAs right here.
Step 3: Apply to IRCC
Along with your provincial nomination in hand, you then apply to IRCC for everlasting residence. As somebody doing an in-demand occupation like truck driving, your odds must be fairly good to acquire your PR card.
Step 4: Pack your baggage
When you’re in Canada, you’re going to must get your business driver’s license (Class 1/Class A in Ontario and Class 3/Class D in Ontario) in addition to any certification or different licensing required by the province. Then you definately’ll actually be good to go. See our first FAQ beneath for extra data on driver licenses from overseas.
Step 5: FAST card
A FAST (Free and Safe Commerce) Card provides business drivers faster entry at USMCA borders – Canada/US & US/Mexico. You must go a pre-screening course of which, when you’re accredited, permits for less complicated customs and immigration checks on the border.
Keep in mind that there are 2 FAST Card packages – one for the Canada/US border and one for the US/Mexico border. In the event you’re additionally going to be driving in Mexico, you’ll want to use for each playing cards, assuming you’re eligible to take action.
Canada/US FAST Card eligibility
Have Immigroup show you how to get your Quick Card, click on right here.
- Be a citizen or everlasting resident of Canada or the US
- Be no less than 18 years outdated
- Have a business driver’s license
- Be admissible to each Canada and the US (not have a legal report)
- Some everlasting residents may have a visa to enter Canada or the US – relying on their house nation
US/Mexico FAST Card eligibility
- Be a citizen or everlasting resident of Canada, the US, or Mexico
- Be no less than 18 years outdated
- Have a business driver’s license
- Be admissible to the US (no legal report)
- Some everlasting residents may have a visa to enter the US or Mexico – relying on their house nation
Go right here for our information on apply for a FAST Card.
FAQ
Can I get a truck driving job in Canada, if I’m nonetheless not licensed?
Some unethical operators may give you a job with out asking for a license, however that is uncommon and to be prevented. If anybody did and also you accepted, it might be a good way to finish up detained and deported ought to the police cease you for a visitors violation, for instance. So, though it’s unlikely that anybody will give you a job with out a license, don’t settle for any supply in the event that they don’t ask in your license.
Truck driving faculties abroad (assembly Canadian requirements)
You’ll nonetheless have to take a coaching course and go the examinations if you transfer to Canada. The one benefit is you may need extra expertise and data than somebody ranging from scratch. Nevertheless, keep in mind that each nation – and each province/territory in Canada – has barely or typically considerably completely different regulatory necessities. All the time assume you’ll have to review for and take sensible coaching in Canada to turn out to be a truck driver.
Can I get a visa sponsored as a truck driver in Canada?
Not precisely, however you will get a provincial nomination you probably have a job supply and meet the opposite necessities. See How one can Develop into a Truck Driver for foreigners above.
