Canada has become one of the top destinations for skilled professionals seeking high-paying jobs with visa sponsorship. With worker shortages across major sectors like tech, engineering, finance, and healthcare, the Canadian job market is wide open to international talent.
In this article, we explore 10 top-paying roles that offer $120,000+ salaries and visa sponsorship opportunities for foreign workers in 2025.
Whether you’re a software developer in Nigeria, an engineer in India, or a nurse from the Philippines, these jobs can be your gateway to a prosperous life in Canada.
Why High-Paying Jobs in Canada Offer Visa Sponsorship
Canada’s economy is booming, but its workforce is aging. Many industries face critical talent shortages, especially in:
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Technology
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Healthcare
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Engineering
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Financial services
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Skilled trades
To address this, the government and companies actively support immigration programs such as:
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Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, FSTP)
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
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Global Talent Stream (GTS)
These allow Canadian employers to sponsor foreign professionals, fast-tracking their work permits and permanent residency.
How to Qualify for Visa-Sponsored Roles in Canada
To increase your chances of landing a visa-sponsored job in Canada:
- Have in-demand skills (especially STEM, finance, health)
- Get credential evaluations via WES (World Education Services)
- Secure a valid job offer from a Canadian company
- Meet language proficiency requirements (IELTS/CELPIP)
- Create a strong Express Entry or PNP profile
Now, let’s look at the top 10 jobs that meet these criteria and pay over $120,000 per year.
Top 10 Visa-Sponsored Jobs in Canada Paying Over $120,000
1. Software Engineering Manager
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Salary: $130,000 – $180,000 CAD
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Industry: Tech (AI, fintech, SaaS)
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Cities Hiring: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal
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Visa Pathway: Global Talent Stream (GTS)
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Qualifications: Full-stack or backend leadership, 7+ years of experience
Pro Tip: Companies like Shopify, RBC, and Hootsuite offer remote and hybrid roles with relocation.
2. Data Scientist / AI Specialist
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Salary: $125,000 – $160,000 CAD
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Industry: Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Healthcare
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Cities Hiring: Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary
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Visa Pathway: Express Entry or GTS
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Qualifications: Python, R, SQL, ML libraries, cloud platforms
Hot Employers: Amazon Canada, Scotiabank AI Lab, Deloitte
3. Senior Cloud Architect (AWS, Azure, GCP)
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Salary: $140,000 – $170,000 CAD
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Industry: Technology, Telecom, Finance
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Cities Hiring: Toronto, Waterloo, Edmonton
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Visa Pathway: Global Talent Stream
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Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect Pro, Azure Expert
Insight: Cloud roles are in short supply, making sponsorship common.
4. Financial Controller / CPA Manager
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Salary: $120,000 – $160,000 CAD
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Industry: Banking, Fintech, Real Estate
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Cities Hiring: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto
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Visa Pathway: Express Entry or Intra-Company Transfer
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Requirements: CPA certification, 7+ years in finance
Bonus: CFO-track positions often include relocation bonuses.
5. Registered Nurse (Specialized Units)
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Salary: $120,000 – $135,000 CAD
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Industry: Healthcare
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Cities Hiring: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario
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Visa Pathway: RNIP, PNP, Express Entry
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Specialties: ICU, oncology, neonatal, surgical
Tip: Get credentialed through the NCLEX-RN exam and apply through the Nursing PNP streams.
6. Petroleum Engineer
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Salary: $125,000 – $150,000 CAD
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Industry: Oil & Gas, Energy
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Cities Hiring: Calgary, Edmonton
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Visa Pathway: Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
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Qualifications: Bachelor’s in Engineering, industry experience
Fact: Oil-rich provinces offer fast-tracked immigration options for engineers.
7. Senior Construction Project Manager
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Salary: $130,000 – $155,000 CAD
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Industry: Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Infrastructure
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Cities Hiring: Vancouver, Toronto, Saskatoon
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Visa Pathway: PNP + Employer Sponsorship
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Certifications: PMP, P.Eng (optional)
Trend: Canada’s booming housing and infrastructure sector drives high demand.
8. IT Security Consultant / Ethical Hacker
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Salary: $125,000 – $160,000 CAD
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Industry: Cybersecurity, Finance, E-commerce
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Cities Hiring: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver
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Visa Pathway: Global Talent Stream
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Certifications: CEH, CISSP, CISM
Why It Pays: Canada faces a cybersecurity talent shortage of over 30,000 roles.
9. Pharmacist (Hospital or Clinical)
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Salary: $120,000 – $145,000 CAD
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Industry: Healthcare, Pharmaceutical
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Cities Hiring: Winnipeg, Regina, Toronto
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Visa Pathway: Express Entry + Licensing by PEBC
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Note: Must complete Canadian board exams
In Demand: Rural areas offer additional relocation and sponsorship incentives.
10. Senior DevOps Engineer
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Salary: $125,000 – $150,000 CAD
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Industry: SaaS, Cloud Platforms, Fintech
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Cities Hiring: Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo
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Visa Pathway: Global Talent Stream
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Skills: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD pipelines
Fun Fact: Many DevOps jobs allow 100% remote work with full PR support.
Companies Actively Hiring International Talent
Some Canadian companies and platforms regularly offer visa sponsorships:
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Shopify
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Scotiabank
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Google Canada
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Amazon Web Services Canada
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KPMG Canada
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Deloitte Canada
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IBM Canada
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SNC-Lavalin
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Loblaw Digital
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TELUS Health
Look for job postings that include “willing to sponsor“, “international applicants welcome“, or “LMIA supported“.
How to Apply and Get Hired
Here’s a step-by-step guide to maximize your chances:
Step 1: Build a Canadian-Style Resume
Focus on:
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Measurable achievements
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Clear formatting (no photos or graphics)
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Canadian spelling and terminology
Step 2: Apply on Trusted Platforms
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Job Bank Canada
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Indeed.ca
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LinkedIn Jobs (Canada filter)
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JobServe Canada
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GlobalHire.ca
Step 3: Tailor Your Cover Letter
Mention:
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Why you’re relocating
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How your skills fill a Canadian labor gap
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Your openness to provincial programs (PNPs)
Step 4: Prepare for Video Interviews
Be ready to talk about:
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Technical skills
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Work authorization
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Time zone and remote collaboration experience
Step 5: Submit an Express Entry Profile
A valid job offer boosts your CRS score significantly for PR (Permanent Residency).
Final Thoughts
Canada needs global talent — and is ready to pay top dollar for it.
If you’re skilled, proactive, and visa-ready, you can land a job that pays over $120,000, with sponsorship, relocation assistance, and even a path to citizenship.
Start building your resume, targeting these roles, and positioning yourself for long-term success in Canada. Your $120,000+ career in Canada starts now.