Truck Driver Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship – Apply Now

Are you searching for truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship? Canada’s logistics and transportation industry is growing rapidly, and employers are actively hiring skilled foreign drivers to meet the demand. This creates a golden opportunity for international applicants who want to work in Canada as a truck driver while enjoying visa sponsorship benefits.

Why Canada Needs Truck Drivers

The Canadian economy depends heavily on trucking to move goods across vast distances. With thousands of drivers retiring and fewer young workers joining the industry, Canada faces a serious shortage of truck drivers. According to industry reports, Canada will need more than 50,000 new truck drivers by 2025.

This shortage has opened doors for foreign workers to apply under immigration and work visa programs with sponsorship from Canadian employers.

Benefits of Truck Driver Jobs in Canada

Working as a truck driver in Canada comes with many advantages, including:

• Visa Sponsorship – Employers assist with your work permit.
• High Salaries – Average wage ranges from CAD $25 to $35 per hour.
• Job Security – High demand ensures steady work.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency – Many truck driver jobs qualify for PR through immigration programs.
• Family Relocation Support – Some employers offer assistance for dependents.

Requirements for Truck Driver Jobs in Canada

To qualify for a truck driver job with sponsorship, applicants typically need:

• Valid driver’s license (Class 1/A for long-haul trucking).
• Clean driving record.
• Minimum high school education.
• Work experience in heavy truck driving.
• Ability to communicate in English or French.

Visa Sponsorship Programs for Truck Drivers

If you’re coming from outside Canada and want to work as a truck driver there, you’ll typically use one of the following immigration and work-permit pathways:

a) Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) + LMIA

Under the TFWP, a Canadian employer can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to justify hiring a foreign worker when they can’t find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the role.

Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit and move to Canada for the job. Many truck driving employers use this route.

b) Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Several provinces have immigration streams designed for in-demand occupations, including truck driving. If a province issues a nomination (PNP), it can significantly speed up the permanent residency process.

Some provinces actively recruit foreign truckers, citing their labour shortages.

c) Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

If you secure a job offer from a company in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador), the AIP can provide a relatively streamlined route to permanent residency.

d) Express Entry and Skilled Worker Streams

Depending on your qualifications, driving experience, and overall profile (education, language skills, work history), truck driving jobs may help qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker stream under Express Entry—or for a provincial nominee stream that feeds into Express Entry.

Some provinces list truck driving as an “in-demand” occupation, which can improve your immigration score or give you additional provincial support.

Provinces and Companies Actively Hiring Foreign Truck Drivers

High-demand provinces

From current information, the provinces most actively recruiting foreign truck drivers are:

How to Apply — Practical Steps for Foreign Applicants

If you’re serious about pursuing truck driving employment in Canada and securing visa sponsorship, here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Get your documents ready

   • Your CV/resume in a Canadian format, highlighting truck-driving experience, vehicle types driven, certifications, and safety record.

   • Copies of your driving license, commercial driver’s license, endorsements and certificates, any clean driving records or letters of reference.

   • Passport, background checks, and (if you have them) English or French language test results.

   • If possible, find out whether your home-country driver’s license can be recognized or exchanged for a Canadian license, or whether you’ll need to pass a Canadian road test.

2. Search for companies actively hiring foreign truck drivers

   • Check out large Canadian trucking/logistics firms that advertise visa-sponsored jobs or LMIA support (see the list above).

   • Use job portals and job boards that explicitly mention “visa sponsorship”, “LMIA support”, or “foreign workers” in their postings.

   • Don’t ignore regional or smaller firms: Sometimes smaller employers in high-need provinces (especially rural or Atlantic Canada) are more willing to sponsor foreign hires.

3. Apply and communicate clearly

   • In your cover letter or email, clearly state that you are seeking visa sponsorship or LMIA support, and explain your willingness to relocate and adapt.

   • Highlight your qualifications, certifications, safety record, driving experience, and any international or cross-border experience.

4. Understand the immigration pathway your employer can support

   • Once a Canadian employer is interested, ask them whether they will support an LMIA application under the TFWP, or whether they participate in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

   • If your employer is willing to support LMIA, you’ll apply for a work permit using that. If they are part of a PNP, you may also explore applying for permanent residence via provincial nomination.

5. Be realistic about timing and costs

   • Visa processing and work permit approval can take several months. Make sure you budget for travel, licensing tests, orientation training, and initial living expenses in Canada.

   • Watch out for potential scams. Some applicants report paying high fees to unscrupulous “consultants” or recruiters, and not receiving the promised support. Always verify that your prospective employer is legitimate, that LMIA support is genuine, and that you retain control of your finances and travel plans.

6. Plan for long-term settlement

   • Once you’re working in Canada, look for pathways to permanent residence. Truck driving is often listed as an in-demand occupation in provincial nominee lists, and stable, long-term employment may strengthen your immigration case.

Top Canadian Companies Hiring Truck Drivers with Sponsorship

• Bison Transport
• Challenger Motor Freight
• Canada Cartage
• TransX Group
• Manitoulin Transport
• XTL Transport Inc.
• Arrow Transportation Systems Inc.
• Trimac Transportation

These employers are known to hire international drivers and may provide visa sponsorship support.

Salary Expectations for Truck Drivers in Canada

On average, truck drivers earn between CAD $55,000 – $75,000 annually, depending on experience, route, and location. Long-haul drivers often earn more due to extended travel.

What Employers Typically Look For

If you’re hoping to secure a truck driving job in Canada from outside the country, here are common employer requirements:

• A valid heavy-vehicle commercial driver’s license (often Class 1, AZ, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated driving experience, especially in long-haul freight or heavy-duty rigs. Many employers prefer 1–2 years of recent truck-driving experience.
• A clean driving record and good safety practices. Pre-trip inspections, cargo securement, hours-of-service log compliance, and attention to transportation regulations are essential.
• Often, additional certifications or endorsements: air-brake certification, hazardous-materials handling, knowledge of Canadian cross-border driving regulations, or forklift/pallet jack experience.
• English or French language competency, depending on the location and company. Some provinces or immigration streams require minimum language test scores.
• Readiness to relocate, possibly to smaller or more remote regions, depending on where freight demand exists.

Employers may also look for good health, ability to pass a road test, and willingness to undergo orientation or training once hired.

Opportunities & Challenges

Opportunities

• Strong demand and relatively high pay: Some long-haul truck driving jobs in Canada can pay CAD 90,000 to CAD 135,000 per year, depending on route, company, and driver experience.

• Growing immigration support for drivers: Provinces recognize the ongoing shortage, and many employers are open to sponsoring foreign drivers, especially those who can bring additional skills or endorsements.

• Possibility of permanent residence: With time and good performance, foreign truck drivers can transition from temporary work permits to permanent residency through provincial nominee programs or Express Entry.

Challenges

• Visa processing delays and regulatory changes: Immigration rules and temporary foreign worker regulations can shift, so it’s essential to stay updated on IRCC policies and provincial nominee program rules.

• Potential for exploitation: Some foreign truck drivers have reported bad experiences with unscrupulous recruiters or employers who charge high fees, promise unrealistic support, or tie workers to harsh contractual terms. Always verify the legitimacy of the employer, ask for written agreements, and don’t rely solely on “consultants” or middlemen.

• Adjustment to Canadian roads and regulations: Canadian trucking can involve long distances, difficult weather (snow, ice, remote areas), and sometimes regulatory or licensing tests you’ll need to pass once in Canada.

• Competition and relocation: Although demand is strong, you may need to be flexible about location (e.g. moving to a less-populated or more remote province or region) and accept that living costs and working conditions may differ from what you’re used to.

Final Thoughts

If you are a skilled truck driver looking to work in Canada with visa sponsorship, now is the best time to apply. With high demand, competitive salaries, and immigration support, truck driving offers one of the fastest pathways to Canadian permanent residency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I get a truck driver job in Canada with visa sponsorship?

Yes. Many Canadian employers hire foreign truck drivers and provide visa sponsorship under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

2. What is the salary of a truck driver in Canada?

The average salary for truck drivers in Canada ranges from CAD $55,000 – $75,000 per year. Long-haul drivers can earn up to CAD $90,000 annually depending on experience and route.

3. Do I need work experience to become a truck driver in Canada?

Yes. Most employers require at least 1–2 years of truck driving experience in your home country or abroad. A valid Class 1/A license is also mandatory for long-haul truck drivers.

4. Which provinces in Canada hire foreign truck drivers the most?

Provinces with the highest demand for foreign truck drivers include:

• Saskatchewan

• Alberta

• Manitoba

• Ontario

• British Columbia

5. Can truck drivers apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada?

Yes. Truck drivers can apply for PR through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or after gaining Canadian work experience under Express Entry (CEC).

6. How do I find truck driver jobs with sponsorship in Canada?

You can apply through:

• Government Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca)

• Indeed Canada

• Workopolis

• Direct company websites like Bison Transport, Canada Cartage, and Challenger Motor Freight.

7. Can my family join me if I get a truck driver job in Canada?

Yes. Many visa sponsorship programs allow you to bring your spouse and children to Canada. Your spouse may also qualify for an open work permit.