Canada is actively hiring welders from overseas right now — and some employers will sponsor your work visa to get you there. If you have welding experience and want to earn between CAD $25 and $55 per hour, this guide shows you exactly which companies are hiring, which provinces pay the most, and how to apply with visa sponsorship.
Why Canada Needs Welders So Badly Right Now
Canada does not have enough skilled tradespeople. According to the BuildForce Canada report, the construction and industrial sectors will need to hire over 299,000 new workers by 2032 to replace retiring tradespeople alone. Welders are near the top of that list.
At the same time, the oil sands in Alberta, the mining sector in British Columbia, and shipbuilding projects in Nova Scotia are all expanding. These industries cannot slow down just because local workers are not available. That is why employers are now willing to sponsor foreign workers through programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Express Entry Federal Skilled Trades stream.
This is a real opportunity. But you need to know where to look and what qualifications employers want.
How Much Do Welders Earn in Canada?
Salary depends on your welding certification, the province you work in, and the industry. Here is a realistic breakdown:
- Entry-level welder (1–2 years experience): CAD $20–$28/hr — about CAD $41,600–$58,200/year
- Intermediate welder (3–5 years experience): CAD $28–$38/hr — about CAD $58,200–$79,000/year
- Certified pressure welder / pipeline welder: CAD $40–$55/hr — about CAD $83,000–$114,000/year
- Underwater welder / specialist: CAD $55–$70/hr — highly specialized, fewer positions
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, the median hourly wage for welders in Canada is CAD $28.85/hr, but that number is pulled down by entry-level positions. Experienced welders with Red Seal certification or AWS/CWB qualifications regularly earn above CAD $40/hr, especially in Alberta and British Columbia.
Which Provinces Pay Welders the Most?
- Alberta: CAD $30–$55/hr — oil sands, pipeline, and industrial fabrication drive up wages
- British Columbia: CAD $28–$48/hr — LNG Canada project and shipbuilding
- Ontario: CAD $25–$42/hr — automotive, manufacturing, and construction
- Saskatchewan: CAD $26–$40/hr — potash mining and agricultural equipment
- Nova Scotia: CAD $24–$38/hr — Irving Shipbuilding federal contracts
If your goal is maximum earnings, Alberta is your best target province. Fort McMurray and Edmonton have a constant demand for welders, and many employers there have LMIA approval already in place — meaning they can move fast on hiring foreign workers.
What Is Visa Sponsorship for Welders in Canada?
When a Canadian employer says they offer “visa sponsorship,” it usually means one of two things:
- They have already obtained a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Canadian government. An LMIA proves no Canadian worker was available for the job. With an approved LMIA, you can apply for a work permit.
- They are willing to go through the LMIA process to hire you specifically, which takes several weeks to months.
An LMIA is not a visa itself. It is a document that supports your work permit application. Once you have a job offer with a valid LMIA, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a Closed Work Permit tied to that employer.
Can Welders Apply Through Express Entry?
Yes. Welders fall under NOC 72106 (Welders and Related Machine Operators) in Canada’s National Occupational Classification system. This code is eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) inside Express Entry.
To qualify, you need:
- At least 2 years of full-time work experience as a welder in the past 5 years
- A valid job offer from a Canadian employer OR a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province
- Meet the language requirement — CLB 4 in English or French (listening and speaking) and CLB 3 in reading and writing
- Pass a medical exam and police clearance
If you qualify, you enter the Express Entry pool and can receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residence — not just a temporary work permit. This is the best long-term immigration pathway for skilled welders.
Companies Hiring Welders With Visa Sponsorship in 2025
Below are real companies and sectors that regularly hire foreign welders. Always verify current openings directly on their websites or through authorized recruiters.
1. Irving Shipbuilding — Halifax, Nova Scotia
Irving Shipbuilding holds one of Canada’s largest federal contracts — the National Shipbuilding Strategy worth over CAD $60 billion. They are building Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and later the Canadian Surface Combatant fleet. Irving actively recruits welders and pipefitters. Starting wages are around CAD $28–$38/hr with overtime available. They work with immigration consultants to support foreign worker applications.
2. Suncor Energy — Fort McMurray, Alberta
Suncor operates one of the largest oil sands facilities in the world. Maintenance welders and shutdown welders are in constant demand. Wages for experienced pressure welders reach CAD $45–$55/hr. Suncor uses staffing agencies including Ketek Group and Petrolia Energy Services, many of which hold active LMIA approvals for welding positions.
3. LNG Canada — Kitimat, British Columbia
The LNG Canada project in Kitimat is one of the largest private infrastructure investments in Canadian history. Shell, Petronas, PetroChina, and Mitsubishi are partners. The construction phase and future operational phase require thousands of trades workers. Welders with pressure vessel or pipe welding experience earn CAD $38–$52/hr here. The remote location adds isolation pay and accommodation benefits on top of the base wage.
4. PCL Industrial Constructors — Multiple Provinces
PCL is one of Canada’s biggest construction companies with projects across Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. They regularly post LMIA-backed roles for structural welders and combination welders. Wages range from CAD $28–$45/hr depending on location and project. Check their careers page directly at pcl.com.
5. Precision Drilling and Maintenance Contractors — Alberta
Smaller drilling support companies in Alberta — including names like Flint Energy Services, Clean Harbors Industrial, and North American Construction Group (NACG) — hire welders for field maintenance and repair work. These companies often move faster on LMIA applications than large corporations. Pay ranges from CAD $32–$50/hr.
What Welding Certifications Do Canadian Employers Want?
Having the right certification puts you ahead of other applicants. Canadian employers recognize these qualifications:
- CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) Certification — The gold standard in Canada. If you can test for this before arriving, do it. Some employers will pay for you to requalify on arrival.
- Red Seal (Interprovincial Standards Program) — Recognized across all Canadian provinces. Holders of equivalent foreign certifications can apply for Red Seal through a trade equivalency assessment.
- AWS (American Welding Society) Certification — Widely recognized in Alberta and BC, especially in oil and gas.
- ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Pressure Vessel Certification — Required for pipeline and boiler work. Earns the highest wages.
If your home country has a national welding certification, get a certified translation of your credential and bring your weld test records. Employers and provincial apprenticeship offices use these to assess your level before placing you.
Do You Need to Speak Perfect English?
No. You need functional English — enough to understand safety instructions, read a weld procedure specification (WPS), and communicate with a supervisor. The IELTS score required for Express Entry Federal Skilled Trades is relatively low compared to other immigration categories. A band 4.0 in listening and speaking is the minimum. Many welders from Nigeria, India, and the Philippines meet this without extensive preparation.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Welder Jobs in Canada With Visa Sponsorship
- Update your CV in Canadian format — One or two pages, list certifications first, then work experience with specific welding processes (SMAW, MIG, TIG, FCAW, SAW).
- Apply directly on company websites — Start with the companies listed above. Many list LMIA-approved positions under their careers section.
- Use Job Bank Canada — The official Government of Canada jobs portal at jobbank.gc.ca lists LMIA-approved jobs. Filter by NOC 72106 and your target province.
- Contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) — If you receive a job offer, an RCIC can guide your work permit application. Use only ICCRC-registered consultants. Fees range from CAD $1,500–$3,500.
- Create an Express Entry profile — Even while applying for jobs, set up your Express Entry profile at ircc.canada.ca. A job offer with LMIA adds 50–200 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- Get your credentials assessed — Use the Trades Equivalency Assessment (TEA) through your target province’s apprenticeship office to get Canadian recognition of your qualifications.
Average Timeline From Application to Landing in Canada
- Job offer + LMIA obtained by employer: 4–12 weeks
- Work permit application processing: 2–8 weeks (online applications are faster)
- Medical exam and police certificate: 2–4 weeks (do this early, in parallel)
- Total realistic timeline: 3–6 months from receiving a job offer to arriving in Canada
Express Entry permanent residence takes longer — typically 6–12 months from ITA to landing — but gives you full PR status, meaning you can work for any employer and bring your family.
What to Watch Out For — Scam Warning
Fake job offers targeting African and Asian workers are a serious problem. Protect yourself:
- No legitimate Canadian employer charges you a fee to process your job offer or LMIA. If someone asks for money to “process your work permit” before you have a real job contract, it is a scam.
- Verify any employer on the Canada Revenue Agency business registry or call the company directly using contact details from their official website.
- Use only IRCC’s official website (ircc.canada.ca) for immigration applications. Never pay a third party to “submit” your application for you without an RCIC registration number.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Right Move for You?
If you have welding experience, a recognized certification, and functional English, Canada offers one of the clearest pathways in the world from skilled work to permanent residence. The demand is real, the wages are strong — up to CAD $55/hr for pressure and pipeline welders — and multiple visa pathways exist specifically for trades workers.
The key is targeting the right province (Alberta and BC pay the most), the right companies (look for LMIA-approved postings), and the right immigration stream (Express Entry Federal Skilled Trades for PR, TFWP for faster entry).
Start your job search on the Government of Canada Job Bank today. Apply to at least five positions in your target province. While you wait, build your Express Entry profile. These two steps in parallel give you the fastest route to working in Canada.
Next, read these related guides to maximize your opportunities:
- Plumber Jobs in Canada With Visa Sponsorship: Earn CAD $35–$50/hr in Alberta and Ontario
- Canada vs Australia: Which Country Pays Skilled Tradespeople More in 2025?
- Express Entry for Skilled Trades: Step-by-Step Guide for Welders, Plumbers, and Electricians