Employment Services to Help Newcomers Work in Canada

Dreaming of continuing your career in Canada is exciting! But searching for a job in a new country is challenging, especially for newcomers who can face hurdles. The best advice is to take advantage of free, government-funded pre-arrival employment services. You’ll avoid the stress of navigating your job search and get the guidance you need to work in Canada.

A successful job search takes hard work, patience, and perseverance. For newcomers looking to join Canada’s workforce, preparing to work in Canada and planning your job search approach is vital. Discover how pre-arrival employment services can help you gain a competitive advantage to continue your career in Canada!

If you are already in Canada, click here to find free newcomer services near you! 

Why are Pre-arrival Employment Services Vital for Newcomers?

There is much to know and do to set yourself up for success when you move to Canada. Deciding where to live, how to join the job market, or how to adapt to life in Canada is overwhelming. But, the faster you do, the sooner you’ll be successful in Canada!

Pre-arrival employment services can reduce the time to research what you require to work in Canada. What could take months to research can be a matter of hours when you use pre-arrival services. You’ll orient yourself faster with pre-arrival employment services to help you:

• Understand the Canadian and local job markets

• Search for a job that matches your skills and experience

• Write a Canadian-style resume that employers will notice

• Help you get international credentials recognized so employers see the value of your experience

• Learn about Canadian workplace culture and join the workforce with confidence

• Find a mentor from your professional background who can share their experience, and much more!

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) surveyed newcomers for this 2023 Settlement Outcomes Report. The report revealed that 68% of newcomer survey respondents were aware of settlement services. Of those, 95% said the services were useful. Using settlement services will help you achieve your employment goals.

Newcomers who use pre-arrival services report a greater understanding of how to conduct a successful job search. This includes identifying how to deal with job search challenges they may face.

Are Pre-arrival Services Free?

Yes, many pre-arrival employment services are funded by IRCC. Providing free pre- and post-arrival support is the best and fastest way to welcome, embrace, and support newcomers who choose to build a new life in Canada. With faster integration, you’ll contribute to Canada’s economy and achieve your professional goals more quickly.

Who is Eligible for Pre-Arrival Services?

You’re eligible for free IRCC pre-arrival employment services if you:

• Have official permanent residence (PR) approval from IRCC

• Live outside of Canada

• Provide one of the IRCC documents:

• Letter saying you can get pre-arrival services

• Confirmation of permanent residence letter

• Passport request letter that indicates permanent residence visa issuance

• Letter asking for your medical exam results

• Single-entry permanent resident visa

• Letter to inform you that you can pick up your permanent resident visa.

Unfortunately, pre-arrival services are unavailable to temporary residents who plan to visit, study, or work in Canada on a visa or permit.

How Can Newcomers Get Pre-arrival Employment Services?

Many organizations in Canada provide free pre-arrival employment services to help newcomers prepare to work in Canada. You can get career guidance and direction no matter what province or city you settle in. With guidance, you’ll have the confidence you need for an effective job search. But, where do you start?

Get Started with PreArrivalCanada.ca

This is the best place to begin your search for employment services. With one simple registration, PreArrivalCanada.ca gives you access to a wide range of settlement and employment programs you may be eligible for if you have been approved to immigrate to Canada. Only three simple steps:

One: Find out if you are eligible for free pre-arrival services by answering a few questions.

Two: Explore a list of nationwide settlement, employment, and industry-specific employment programs.

Three: Complete the registration form and receive pre-arrival employment services from the programs that you select.

While PreArrivalCanada is your best starting place, here are other organizations and employment services to consider!

BCCA Integrating Newcomers (BCCA-IN)

The construction industry is predicting an 80,000 shortfall in workforce numbers over the next decade due to retirements and industry growth. So, it’s fair to say Canada’s construction industry is actively hiring.

If you have construction experience, BCCA-IN can help you build your Canadian construction career faster. You’ll receive one-on-one coaching from a dedicated career coach if you are eligible for this free construction-focused employment services program.

BCCA-IN can help you if you’re a technical professional such as a tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. With a BCCA-IN career coach, they can:

• Provide construction-related job-hunting tips and tools

• Source live job leads for you to begin applying for work

• Conduct a detailed skills and education assessment to help you understand relevant career paths
• Connect you to provincial professional associations and licensing authorities, and more!

Many professions and trades within the construction industry are regulated. When you work with a dedicated career coach, they can steer you in the right direction and help you understand how to obtain the required licenses.

While you’re still in your home country, you’ll learn to access the right tools, resources, job leads, and referrals to build your career faster. With connections to settlement services, construction associations, and employers across Canada, you’ll receive support no matter where you settle.

ACCES Employment 

Here’s an overview of three of the employment programs:

Canadian Employment Connections

This program provides virtual pre-arrival services to help internationally trained professionals prepare to join the Canadian job market. With a focus on in-demand jobs, you’ll discover the skills you need to land roles across six Canadian sectors, including Engineering, Financial Services, Human Resources, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, and Supply Chain.

Connecting Canada Program

Do you want to settle in a smaller urban or rural community in Canada? This can be a great alternative to settling in large cities like Toronto and Vancouver. While most immigrants are familiar with these cities, they are expensive. With the Connecting Canada Program, pre-arrival immigrants can learn about different communities to settle in and engage with local employers eager to hire immigrant talent.

Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-Arrival (ECP)

Are you an entrepreneur? Or do you want to explore how entrepreneurship can provide you with exciting opportunities?

Small businesses in Canada generate more than 100,000 jobs a year! If you want to pursue your entrepreneurial dream, ACCES Employment can equip you with the skills and knowledge to make your dream a reality. You’ll gain access to coaches and consultants who can share their experience and advice.

The ECP program provides entrepreneurship training, support, and resources to start your business.  When you participate in the ECP program, you can make an informed decision about starting a business in Canada.

Planning for Canada

With Planning for Canada employment services, you’ll discover how to boost your employability. You’ll receive one-on-one support from a facilitator who can prepare you for professional success. This organization can help you update your resume to meet Canadian standards and learn new skills, including industry-specific language, or Canadian workplace etiquette.

While you can find a job in Canada with your existing foreign credentials and work experience, you may need your credentials assessed before you apply for jobs. This makes it easier and faster to get a job when you arrive. Planning for Canada employment services provides the information, resources, and contacts to guide you through the credential recognition process.

Active Engagement and Integration Project (AEIP)

When you participate in the AEIP, you’ll benefit by getting a custom settlement plan that includes how to approach your job search in Canada. Employ counsellors will determine your unique needs, and you’ll learn about Canada’s labour market and effective job search strategies. You’ll discover local employers, services, and how to present yourself confidently to employers.

Using free pre-arrival employment services can help you join Canada’s workforce and continue your career. You’ll discover a positive, rewarding experience as you achieve your important goals and dreams!

Whether you are moving to Canada by yourself or with family members, there is much to know and do to set yourself up for success. From deciding what province and city to settle in, to preparing for the job market, to getting familiar with a new city. It can take some time before you are comfortable with your new environment. Taking advantage of services can help you adapt faster. Here are some examples of pre-arrival employment services and the benefits you’ll gain!

Pre-arrival Employment Services

Mentoring

A mentor can help you navigate the Canadian job market. A mentor will share their job-search experiences, point out common mistakes, and help you avoid them. This can save you valuable time, build confidence, and prepare you to succeed in job interviews.

When you take advantage of pre-arrival employment services, you can:

• Find a mentor from your professional background

• Get job search assistance (write your Canadian-style resume, research the job market,

• Prepare to get your credentials recognized, and more.

Building Professional Relationships

Networking and building relationships with people in your field can help you find a job faster. Networking can help you discover Canada’s “hidden job market”. These jobs are not broadly advertised, resulting in less competition. However, you have to access the professional network. Pre-arrival employment services can help you build the right relationships and connections to find a job faster.

WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor and Content Director, Prepare for Canada

Corinna researches and writes content to help newcomers make informed decisions about housing, employment, banking, and aspects of settling in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada. Her writing combines research, practical guidance, and clear language to support newcomers on their journey.

© Prepare for Canada 2026