Top Canadian Employers Actively Sponsoring Visas — Open Roles, Benefits and How to Apply
Canada’s top employers continue offering visa sponsorships every year to fill labour shortages through LMIA work permits, PNP pathways, and fast-track immigration programs.
Why Canadian Employers Sponsor International Workers Every Year
Canada faces consistent, long-term labour shortages, especially in technology, healthcare, construction, transportation, manufacturing, and hospitality. Because of this, companies sponsor international workers through:
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LMIA-based Work Permits (TFWP)
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Global Talent Stream (2-week visa processing)
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
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Rural & Northern Immigration Streams
These programs renew annually, making employer sponsorship evergreen.
Top Industries in Canada Sponsoring Foreign Workers
Below are the fields with the strongest employer-led sponsorship:
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Technology (developers, cloud, AI, cybersecurity)
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Healthcare (nurses, lab techs, support workers)
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Manufacturing & skilled trades (electricians, welders, mechanics)
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Transportation (truck drivers, logistics managers)
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Hospitality & tourism (hotels, food service)
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Agriculture (seasonal and permanent)
Top Canadian Employers Actively Sponsoring Visas
The companies listed below hire internationally every year through LMIA or Global Talent Stream.
1. Amazon Canada (Tech, Logistics, Warehousing)
Roles often sponsored:
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Software developers
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Cloud engineers
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Data engineers
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Warehouse associates
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Operations managers
Benefits: relocation support, visa sponsorship, competitive salaries.
2. Shopify (Software & Product Development)
A major Global Talent Stream employer.
Sponsored roles include:
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Full-stack engineers
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Product designers
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AI/ML engineers
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DevOps engineers
Processing is fast due to GTS eligibility.
3. Loblaw Companies Limited (Retail, Warehousing, Supply Chain)
Sponsorship roles include:
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Warehouse workers
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Supply chain analysts
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Store supervisors
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Truck drivers (LMIA)
4. Scotiabank & RBC (Banking & Fintech)
Highly skilled sponsorship roles in:
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Data science
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Cybersecurity
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Software development
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Finance analytics
Banks frequently use GTS for high-tech roles.
5. Magna International (Automotive Manufacturing)
One of Canada’s largest manufacturers.
Sponsored roles:
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Welders
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Mechanical assemblers
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CNC operators
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Industrial electricians
Magna is known for strong LMIA support.
6. Maple Leaf Foods & Olymel (Food Processing)
Sponsor annually for roles such as:
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Meat cutters
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Packaging workers
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Production labourers
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Maintenance technicians
These companies are among Canada’s top LMIA employers.
7. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Hospitality)
Often sponsor foreign workers for:
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Housekeeping
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Kitchen assistants
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Servers
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Guest service agents
Canada’s tourism industry hires seasonally and permanently each year.
8. Tim Hortons & McDonald’s Franchise Groups
Thousands of LMIA approvals every year.
Common sponsorship roles:
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Food counter attendants
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Cooks
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Shift supervisors
These roles are ideal for entry-level applicants.
9. Provincial Health Networks (AHS, Fraser Health, Nova Scotia Health)
Healthcare sponsorship roles:
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Registered nurses
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Healthcare aides
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Lab technicians
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Radiology technicians
Most provinces offer PNP fast-track PR for sponsored healthcare workers.
Table: Canadian Employers & Typical Sponsored Roles
| Employer | Industry | Sponsored Roles | Visa Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Canada | Tech & Logistics | Developers, managers, warehouse staff | GTS, LMIA |
| Shopify | Tech | Engineers, designers, AI roles | GTS |
| Scotiabank | Finance | Cybersecurity, data science | GTS |
| Magna | Manufacturing | Welders, electricians | LMIA |
| Fairmont Hotels | Hospitality | Housekeeping, front desk | LMIA |
| Maple Leaf Foods | Food Processing | Meat cutters, production | LMIA |
| Health Authorities | Healthcare | Nurses, lab techs | PNP, LMIA |
| Trucking Companies | Transportation | Truck drivers | LMIA |
How to Apply for Visa Sponsorship in Canada (Step-by-Step)
✔ Step 1: Search for LMIA-approved employers
Use JobBank Canada filters for “LMIA Approved”.
✔ Step 2: Apply to companies with clear sponsorship history
Look for keywords such as:
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“LMIA available”
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“Visa sponsorship offered”
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“GTS eligible role”
✔ Step 3: Attend remote interviews
Most employers conduct virtual assessments.
✔ Step 4: Receive your job offer + LMIA details
Employer submits the LMIA or GTS application.
✔ Step 5: Apply for your work permit
Processing:
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2 weeks for Global Talent Stream
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4–12 weeks for LMIA permits
✔ Step 6: Travel to Canada and begin employment
Official Government Links (Safe, Non-Affiliate)
Canada Work Permit – https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration
LMIA Employers – https://www.jobbank.gc.ca
Global Talent Stream – https://www.canada.ca/global-skills-stream
PNP Pathways – https://www.canada.ca/provincial-nominee-program
FAQs
1. Which Canadian employer sponsors the most foreign workers?
Food processing companies, hotels, trucking firms, and manufacturing plants.
2. Do tech companies offer fast-track visas?
Yes—through the Global Talent Stream, processing takes 10–14 days.
3. Are sponsorship jobs available every year?
Yes. Labour shortages are ongoing across multiple Canadian sectors.
4. Can visa sponsorship lead to PR?
Yes—PNP and Express Entry provide PR pathways for sponsored workers.
5. Do you need experience to apply?
Most roles require experience, but food, hospitality, and entry-level jobs may allow beginners.
Conclusion
Canadian employers consistently sponsor visas for skilled workers, entry-level applicants, and specialized professionals across healthcare, technology, trades, logistics, and hospitality. These programs operate every year, offering reliable pathways to work permits, relocation support, and permanent residency opportunities.
