Truck drivers are more necessary than ever. Through 2025, Canada will require more than 17,000 new truck drivers per year to balance out the supply & demand. This is your chance to enter the market & grow in your profession, to put it another way. Here’s how you can immigrate to Canada as a truck driver. 

Is There An Actual Demand For Truck Drivers In Canada?

There will always be a need for eligible truck drivers because Canada depends on freight trucks to transport its goods. In fact, according to data from Trucking HR Canada, the overall number of trucking job openings across the Canadian economy is predicted to increase to 55,000 by 2024. 

With the introduction of the new NOC codes on November 16, 2022, which included a teer code for transport truck drivers, IRCC declared that truck drivers became eligible for the Canada Express Entry system. This encourages those who want to become truck drivers & immigrate to Canada. This profession class will now be changed from semi-skilled to skilled under the new system. 

What Are Available PR Programs For Truck Drivers In Canada? 

In order to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver, you must know what are the available PR for truck drivers in Canada. 

If you like driving trucks, you can move to Canada in the following ways:   

  1. Express Entry Program 

The Canadian government organizes & processes applications for skilled professionals who want to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver & get Canadian permanent residence status via an online system known as Express Entry. The system manages FSW, one of three major federal economic programs.  

The applicant must first meet the requirements of FSW to be eligible to be placed in a pool for applicants for immigration. They might complete an online Express Entry profile identifying their skills & qualifications. Further, the Express Entry system uses a CRS to rank the applicants against other applicants in the pool on a points-based system considering a variety of factors, including work experience, age, education, language proficiency, family members, & details on any job offer. The IRCC holds periodic draws every two weeks & invites an ITA for Canadian PR. 

  1. Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry  

There are two ways to apply: 

  • The applicants contact the province/ territory & apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream. They further get a nomination through their account, which they accept electronically. If the province/ territory agrees to nominate them, they create an Express Entry profile. 

Or

  • The applicants create an Express Entry profile & show the province/ territories they are interested in. They apply to their Express Entry stream if they are nominated; they will offer it to them through their account & accept it electronically. If a territory & province sends a ‘notification of interest’ to their account, they can contact them directly. 

You must meet the province/ territory’s eligibility requirements in either case. Moreover, you need to create an Express Entry profile & demonstrate that you meet all of Express Entry’s minimum requirements, including being qualified for one of the immigration programs it manages. 

  1. PNPs: Non-Express Entry 

You can apply to the province/ territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. You should meet the eligibility requirements of the area that nominates you. Once set, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to IRCC. Moreover, application processing times are longer through Express Entry. 

For truck drivers wishing to settle down & grow their careers in Canada, it’s an excellent alternative. You can move to a specific Canadian territory/ province via PNP: Non-Express Entry. In addition, there are distinct PNP streams available for some specialized & in-demand jobs.   

Depending on each territory/ province, one needs different qualifications to become a truck driver. However, they usually have prerequisites like a diploma from a secondary school, proof of required driving skills, & required license. Well, your chances of being nominated under the PNP rely on the province’s needs because the program is province-specific. To ensure they move to a province with the most work opportunities, prospective applicants must keep an eye on relevant job postings in the provinces they are interested in & stay current with those province’s demands. 

  1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program 

This is an employment-driven program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals who can fill the labor & skill shortage in a specific province/ territory. Before seeking foreign talent, employers can explore the local market in Canada to fill the labor gap. 

Moreover, foreign workers who are successful under this program might require an LMIA, which proves that your Canadian employer can hire an immigrant as a temporary foreign worker. 

The TFWP enables Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill provincial & territorial labor needs. A TFWP offers the temporary holder status & the opportunity to gain Canadian PR. Moreover, an LMIA could be sometimes required. 

ESDC issues LMIA to assess the impact of recruiting a foreign national in Canada. In addition, with skilled professions, spouses are eligible for work permits, thus making the transition to a new life in Canada easier. 

In order to be eligible for the program, candidates must: 

  • Have a job offer from a Canadian employer. 
  • Have a valid passport.
  • Demonstrate their proficiency in English/ French. 
  • Prove their intention to leave Canada after the work permit expires. 
  • Have no criminal history & pose no threat to Canada’s national security. 
  • Demonstrate that you will be able to sustain yourself while in Canada & pay for yourself & your family member’s return trip.
  • Be healthy. 

Canada Truck Driver Visa Requirements 

Here are the truck driver requirements: 

  • Birth certificate  
  • IELTS certificate  
  • Passport valid for at least two years 
  • Driving license- 3 years
  • Employment letter 
  • Experience letter  
  • Training certificate in truck driving 
  • Bank statement 
  • Income tax returns 
  • Paystubs for six months 
  • School/education certificates  
  • Reference letter 
  • WES assessment 

Why Work In Canada As A Truck Driver?     

If you intend to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver, you must know the reasons as to why Canada is the best place. Here are the reasons: 

  • The government regulates the maximum driving hours per day 
  • Paid vacation days while traveling 
  • An annual compensation between $50,000 & $70,000
  • Due to the high demand, the job is secure
  • Additional private insurance offered by many employers 

Conclusion 

Immigrating to Canada as a truck driver offers a promising opportunity for individuals seeking a stable career path & a better quality of life. With Canada’s growing economy & demand for skilled workers in the transportation industry, there are ample job prospects for truck drivers. In addition, Canada’s welcoming immigration policies & programs, like Express Entry & PNP, offer streamlined pathways for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency. 

Thus, by navigating the immigration process diligently & leveraging their skills & experience, truck drivers can embark on a new chapter in Canada filled with possibilities for personal & professional growth.