Do you want to live and work in Canada? Good news! The retail sector, especially grocery stores and supermarkets, has many job openings right now. There is a big labour shortage in Canada’s retail sector. Jobs like supermarket cashier or grocery store clerk are in high demand. These jobs are open for foreigners too. These are entry-level jobs. You do not need a university degree or high skills. Many foreigners can get these jobs with visa support from the employer.
This simple guide will explain everything step by step. We will use basic English so everyone can understand.
The Key: Understanding the LMIA Process
What is LMIA?
LMIA means Labour Market Impact Assessment. It is a paper from the Canadian government.
For supermarket cashier jobs (NOC code 65100), the employer needs a positive LMIA before they can hire a foreign worker.
The LMIA proves two important things:
- The job is really needed in Canada.
- No Canadian citizen or permanent resident wanted the job.
LMIA Categories: Low-Wage vs. High-Wage
There are two types of LMIA:
- High-wage jobs (good salary)
- Low-wage jobs (normal or minimum salary)
Almost all supermarket cashier jobs are low-wage LMIA.
Employer Rules (Very Important!)
- The employer CANNOT ask you to pay any money for LMIA or recruitment. It is illegal.
- The employer pays $1,000 LMIA fee themselves.
- Before applying for LMIA, the employer must advertise the job for 4 weeks on Canada Job Bank + 2 other places.
- They must try hard to find a Canadian worker first.
If any agent or employer asks you for money, say NO. It is against the law.
How to Get Your Work Permit
After the employer gets a positive LMIA, they will send you the LMIA approval letter + job offer letter. You use these papers to apply for your Canadian work permit.
This work permit is called “Closed Work Permit” or “Employer-Specific Work Permit”.
That means:
- You can only work for that one employer.
- You can only do that one job.
- You can only work in that city. If you want to change job or city later, you need new LMIA and new work permit.
Documents You Need
- Passport
- Job offer letter (signed)
- LMIA approval letter
- Police certificate (from your country)
- Medical exam (if asked)
- Proof you can support yourself at the beginning (sometimes not needed when you have LMIA job)
Salary and Geography: Where to Find Opportunities
How Much Money Will You Earn?
Your salary depends on the province and city.
The employer must pay you at least:
- The provincial minimum wage, OR
- The normal wage for cashiers in that area (whichever is higher)
Here are examples for 2025:
| Province/City | Minimum Wage (2025) | Normal Cashier Salary (per hour) | Big Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (Toronto) | Around $17.60 | $15.55 – $17.60 | Loblaws, Metro, No Frills |
| British Columbia (Vancouver) | Around $17.85 | $17.85 – $19.00 | Sobeys, Save-On-Foods |
| Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton) | $15.00 | $15.00 – $17.00 | Walmart, Costco, Superstore |
After tax and deductions (income tax, CPP, EI), you will get less money in your bank. You need a SIN number (Social Insurance Number) as soon as you arrive.
Best Places and Companies to Look For Jobs
Focus on big supermarket chains. They know how to do LMIA and hire many foreign workers every year.
Best companies that often sponsor:
- Loblaws (and all shops under Loblaw: No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart)
- Sobeys (and FreshCo, Foodland)
- Metro
- Walmart Canada
- Costco Canada
- Save-On-Foods (BC)
- Giant Tiger
Best cities with many openings:
- Toronto and GTA (Ontario)
- Vancouver and area (British Columbia)
- Calgary and Edmonton (Alberta)
- Montreal (Quebec – French helps but not always needed)
Worker Rights and Protection
Canada protects foreign workers. You have the same rights as Canadian workers.
Your rights:
- Same salary as Canadians for the same job
- Maximum 8 hours per day, 40–44 hours per week (depends on province)
- Overtime pay (usually 1.5 times normal pay)
- Rest days, vacation pay, sick days
- Safe workplace
- Health and safety protection
The employer must follow the job offer and LMIA rules exactly. Never pay recruitment fees. If someone asks for money to “help” you get the job, it is probably a scam. If you have problems at work (low pay, too many hours, bad treatment), you can complain to:
- Service Canada (1-800 number)
- Your provincial ministry of labour (free help)
You will not lose your visa for complaining. Canada wants to protect you.
Small Tip
When you apply for work permit from outside Canada, sometimes IRCC asks for “proof of funds” (show you have some savings). With a real LMIA job offer, they usually accept lower amount or skip this step.
Call to Action
Canada needs supermarket cashiers and grocery clerks right now. Many big companies are ready to sponsor foreign workers.
Start today:
- Make a good resume (simple, clear, one page).
- Create profile on Canada Job Bank (free).
- Apply directly on company websites (Walmart, Loblaws, Sobeys, etc.).
- Look for jobs that say “LMIA available” or “visa sponsorship”.
Share this guide with your friends and family who also want to work in Canada!
Dynamic Disclaimer
This information is only to help and teach you. Rules can change anytime. Always check the official government websites (www.canada.ca) before you apply for LMIA, work permit, or accept any job offer. Do not pay money to anyone for job or visa help. Good luck!