Foreign nationals intending to work in Canada are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the employment conditions and specific visa they require.
The unemployment rate in Canada is approximately 6.5% (in 2023). However, job seekers still have good prospects for finding work in Canada. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Service Canada (SC) aim to attract skilled workers.
Employment in Canada is governed by the Canada Labour Code and the employment laws of the various provinces and territories. There is considerable variation in the rules on overtime pay, working hours and annual leave, so it is not possible to make any generalisations.
Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents need a work permit for (most) paid employment in Canada. Employers looking to hire a foreign worker must obtain permission from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) once the HRSDC has confirmed that they may recruit a foreign national to fill the vacancy.
Foreign nationals seeking employment in the public or private sectors may apply for jobs through the various online portals. The Swiss-Canadian Chambers of Commerce based in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia publish vacancies and requests for employment.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) is responsible for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and certification.
The Canadian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce provides guidance on becoming self-employed or setting up a company. Swiss citizens may also contact Switzerland Global Enterprise. Swiss nationals can also obtain further information from the Swiss Business Hub, which assists Swiss and Liechtenstein small and medium-sized enterprises in developing their business in Canada and provides information on Switzerland as a business location to Canadian companies.
Innovation and Partnerships
Consular Directorate CD
Effingerstrasse 27
3003 Bern
Phone
Helpline +41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33
