Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario

Find a Job

Ontario has a strong economy and a lot of opportunity to offer newcomers. But finding a job takes hard work. It can also take time. It’s a good idea to prepare for your job search before you leave for Ontario. Getting ready for interviews, improving your English or French language skills, and getting in touch with a possible mentor all may help in finding a job.

This section connects you to sites where you can learn about job search strategies and get tools and resources to help. You can also browse through job listings and training opportunities. These links may be worth a look before you come to Ontario, and will definitely help once you’re here.

Don’t forget that to work in Canada you need a Social Insurance Number.

Finding a Job

Employment Ontario Information and Services for Job Seekers – Employment related services are available across the province. You can get employment counselling services, skills development information, apprenticeship training in a skilled trade and financial support. Use this link to learn more about each of the services available to you and find out how to access services in your community. Information is also available in 25 languages.

Explore the Working in Canada Tool to obtain information and referrals to help you prepare to work, specific to where you live (or plan to live) in Canada.

The Best Employers for New Canadians competition is funded by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program.

Employment Ontario Employment Service – An Ontario Government employment support program.

Finding work in Ontario as a newcomer – information to read before you arrive.

The Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) provides clear descriptions of the Essential Skills used in occupations in Ontario, as well as important work habits employers expect you to have.

About Ontario’s job market

Finding a job

Learn about the extra skills that Canadian employers want from their workers. To read more, select your language from the drop-down menu above. Information provided by Settlement.org

ONTARIO IMMIGRATION

Job search tools for newcomers

How to find job listings

Resources and places that can help you find work

English as a customized second language course

Job search workshops for newcomers

Employment resource centres in Ontario

Temporary Work in Ontario

Seasonal agricultural work

Finding an Internship

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity to gain work experience in your field of expertise through a temporary position. The Ontario Public Service (OPS) offers an Internship for Internationally Trained Professionals, which is an opportunity for newcomers to gain six months’ paid work experience in a variety of fields, from accounting to communications to environmental sciences.

Professions and Trades

See the Work In Your Profession section.

Did You Know?

Toronto’s is a major North-American centre for the financial services industry with many jobs that could use your skills and experience. Career Advisor, an interactive website developed by the Toronto Financial Services Alliance can help you access an in-demand career in the financial services sector.

Rights of workers in Ontario

Your rights as a worker in Ontario

Health and safety in the workplace

Fact sheets for workers about the workplace injuries and illnesses claims process and benefits – multilingual information

Ontario Workplace Gateway

Employment Standards Act – multilingual information available

Your rights if you have been fired or laid off

Ontario’s tap water is among the best protected in the world. You can have confidence our tap water is safe to drink. Visit Drinking Water Ontario for more information. To find out how to become a water or waste water operator contact the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office.

Rights for workers employed by temporary placement agencies

A sample of sites that list job openings

The Government of Canada’s Job Bank

SkillsInternational.ca job matching service

waterlootechjobs.com

The PetriDish

Learn more about the range of employment and career counselling services available to you, and find out how to access services in your community. For more information, call the Employment Ontario Hotline at 1-800-387-5656.

What is a temporary work permit and how can I get one?

Temporary work permits are used to give you permission to work for a specific period of time with an employer in Ontario. You must obtain this permit before entering Canada. Your Canadian employer will be required to consult with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You may also be interested in the Ontario's Multinational Employee Transfer.
How do I find a job in Ontario?

You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool. You may also benefit from labour market information that will provide you with current market trends. Employment Ontario funds a variety of services to help you in your job search. Jobs are also advertised in newspapers, on websites and through local employment agencies.
How can I get my education, professional credentials and skills assessed?

You can find information on education and credential assessment on our site and learn about Ontario's professional licensing bodies. You may also want to know about apprenticeship program to work in the trades and about bridge training programs to enter the Canadian market.
Where can I get job-specific training?

The Ontario government supports Bridge Training programs to help newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. Find out more about these job-specific training.
What jobs and professions are in demand in Ontario?

You can use the Working in Canada tool for wage information, job demand and skills requirements in Canada. You can also find labour market information for Ontario including current market trends.
What should I do if an employer wants to hire me to work in Ontario?

You must either be a permanent resident or have a work permit in order to work in Ontario. You are also required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It may also be necessary to have your international academic credentials assessed and recognized.
What are my rights in the Ontario workplace?

The Employment Standards Act, 2000, known as the ESA, is a law that sets minimum standards in employment for fair workplace practices in Ontario. You can find Employment Standards information on many languages. You may find the frequently asked questions and the Guide to the Employment Standards Act published on the Ministry of Labour's site very useful.
Where can I get information on professional associations and regulatory bodies?

In Ontario, each regulated profession has its own regulatory body. You will find informaton on regulated professions and their regulatory bodies on our site by choosing your profession in the left navigation bar.
Where can I go to improve my English?

Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you.
What programs are available if I want to upgrade or improve my education?

Adults who want to earn a high school diploma in Ontario may do so by attending classes through local school boards. Adults may also earn a high school diploma by studying at home through the Ontario Government's Independent Learning Centre. Universities and community colleges accept mature post-secondary students and will often offer continuing education programs.