Cleaner jobs in Canada with LMIA visa sponsorship are searched by thousands of people every month, often with the promise of “free accommodation”. Light-duty cleaners are on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s list of prioritized occupations, and hotels, hospitals and facility-services companies do hire cleaners from abroad.
However, the rules changed a lot in 2024–2026: low-wage LMIAs are not processed in metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or more (with exemptions for hospitals and some other sectors), and employers must ensure affordable housing – which is not the same as free housing. This guide explains the real picture.
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Cleaner Jobs in Canada at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation codes | NOC 65310 – Light duty cleaners; NOC 65312 – Janitors and heavy-duty cleaners (TEER 5) |
| Typical pay | Job Bank national median about $19.74/hour (light duty) and $21.27/hour (janitors) |
| Main work permit route | Employer-specific work permit with a low-wage LMIA |
| Accommodation | Employer must ensure suitable, affordable housing (under 30% of before-tax income); free housing only if the contract says so |
| PR options | PNP semi-skilled streams, RCIP, AIP |
| Best for | Hotel housekeeping, hospital and facility cleaning staff |
1. Types of Cleaner Jobs Available in Canada
Hotel Room Attendant / Housekeeper
Cleaning guest rooms in hotels and resorts – resorts in the Rockies sometimes provide staff housing.
Hospital and Healthcare Cleaner
Infection-control cleaning in hospitals and nursing homes. Hospitals (NAICS 622) and nursing care (NAICS 623) are exempt from the low-wage refusal rule.
Commercial and Office Cleaner
Offices, malls and airports, usually through facility-services companies.
Janitor / Heavy-Duty Cleaner
Floor machines, industrial cleaning and building maintenance.
Camp and Remote Site Housekeeper
Work camps in mining and energy regions, usually with room and board on site.
2. Cleaner Salary Ranges in Canada (2026)
Cleaner wages are usually close to provincial minimum wages, with higher pay in unionized hospitals and large hotels. National Job Bank medians; annual estimates assume 2,080 hours.
| Level | Hourly | Approx. yearly (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Light duty cleaners (65310) – median | $19.74 | ≈ $41k |
| Janitors and heavy-duty cleaners (65312) – median | $21.27 | ≈ $44k |
| Unionized hospitals / remote camps | Above median | Varies; check each offer |
Source: Job Bank – wages for light duty cleaners (NOC 65310) and Job Bank wage search for janitors (NOC 65312), updated November 19, 2025.
3. Visa Types for Foreign Cleaners in Canada
Most foreign cleaners start with an employer-specific work permit: the employer gets a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC, then you apply to IRCC.
| Visa / permit | Who it is for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-specific work permit (LMIA) | Job offer from an employer with a positive LMIA | Yes | IRCC work permits |
| LMIA-exempt permit (IMP) | Intra-company transfers, CUSMA, Francophone Mobility | Yes | IRCC – IMP |
| Express Entry (PR) | FSWP, FSTP or CEC candidates | No | IRCC – Express Entry |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PR) | Workers nominated by a province | Often | IRCC – PNP |
| RCIP / AIP (PR) | Offer from a designated employer in a rural or Atlantic community | Yes | IRCC – RCIP |
Cleaner jobs are low-wage positions. The employer must pay round-trip transportation, ensure affordable housing, provide private health insurance until provincial cover starts and stay within the cap on low-wage foreign workers (10% for most employers, 20% for hospitals and nursing care). “Free accommodation” is a benefit some employers choose to offer – it is not a legal requirement.
Low-wage LMIAs are not processed in metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or more (updated quarterly), except in exempt sectors such as construction, food manufacturing, hospitals and nursing care – see the official list.
4. List of Companies Offering Cleaner Jobs With Visa Sponsorship – Contacts and Addresses
These are real, well-known employers of cleaners in Canada. We list the head-office location and the official careers page – the only safe place to apply. Being on this list does not mean a company is hiring or sponsoring foreign workers right now; each posting states its own requirements.
| Company | Head office | Official website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDI Integrated Facility Services | Montréal, QC | Official website | Commercial and institutional cleaning |
| Bee-Clean Building Maintenance | Winnipeg, MB | Careers page | Building cleaning across Canada |
| Dexterra Group | Toronto, ON | Careers page | Facilities and remote camp services |
| Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | Toronto, ON (Canadian operations) | Careers page | Hotel housekeeping; some resorts offer staff housing |
| Marriott International | Bethesda, MD (hotels across Canada) | Careers page | Hotel housekeeping |
5. Employment Agencies to Find Cleaner Opportunities – International Recruitment
Agencies can connect you with employers, but only the employer (with ESDC) and IRCC handle LMIAs and permits. We list head-office cities and official websites; contact branches only through these sites.
| Agency | Head office | Official website | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randstad Canada | Toronto, ON | www.randstad.ca | Construction, industrial, engineering |
| Adecco Canada | Toronto, ON | www.adecco.ca | Industrial, warehouse, trades |
| Hays Canada | Toronto, ON | www.hays.ca | Construction, engineering, IT |
| ManpowerGroup Canada | Toronto, ON | www.manpower.ca | Industrial, trades, logistics |
No recruitment fees: employers may not charge or recover recruitment fees from foreign workers (your rights). For immigration advice, use only a consultant on the CICC public register or a lawyer licensed by a provincial law society.
6. Visa Requirements for Employment – Requirements and Documents
Officers compare your CV, reference letters and job offer, so keep them consistent. Typical checklist:
- Valid passport
- Signed job offer (duties, wage, hours, NOC 65310) and the LMIA decision letter or offer number
- Reference letters with duties, dates and hours, plus pay slips
- Letters from previous cleaning or housekeeping employers
- Any training certificates (infection control, WHMIS)
- Police certificates and medical exam if required (IRCC medical exams)
- Biometrics at a visa application centre and fees paid online (IRCC fee list)
7. Steps to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Cleaner – How to Apply
- Confirm your NOC 65310 duties on the official NOC site and check Job Bank wages.
- Prepare a two-page Canadian-style CV with licences and achievements.
- Apply to real employers on Job Bank and the careers pages above.
- Interview and get a written offer stating wage, hours, duties, location, travel and housing.
- The employer applies for the LMIA and pays the fee.
- Apply online for your work permit, give biometrics and track processing times.
- Travel and work only for the employer and job on your permit, then start your PR plan.
Possible websites to apply for sponsorship visas
- Job Bank – official Government of Canada job board
- IRCC – apply for a work permit
- IRCC – Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Official careers pages of the employers listed above
8. Pathways That Can Give PR in Canada – Express Entry, RCIP and Others
Permanent residence lets you work for any employer and later apply for citizenship. NOC 65310 is not a targeted Express Entry category, so provincial streams and community pilots are usually more realistic (current categories).
| Pathway | How it works | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry (FSWP / FSTP / CEC) | CRS points for age, language, education, experience; job-offer points were removed in March 2025 | canada.ca/express-entry |
| Provincial Nominee Program | Provincial streams, many with a job offer | IRCC – PNP |
| Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) | Offer from a designated employer in 14 communities (e.g. Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Claresholm, Peace Liard) | IRCC – RCIP |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Designated employers in NS, NB, PE and NL | IRCC – AIP |
Cleaners are TEER 5, so Express Entry is not realistic. Some provinces have streams for semi-skilled workers in specific sectors, and the RCIP and Atlantic Immigration Program can accept some TEER 5 jobs with designated employers. Check each provincial site for current eligible occupations.
All PR programs are applied for online. IRCC contacts: the IRCC web form and the Client Support Centre, 1-888-242-2100 (from within Canada), per the official contact page. Each RCIP community lists its own contacts on pages linked from canada.ca.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
- Education: no degree needed; basic English or French is important for safety and PR.
- Experience: hotel or hospital cleaning experience makes your application stronger.
- Health: hospital jobs may require vaccination records.
- Language and education: approved English/French tests and, for Express Entry, an Educational Credential Assessment.
- Admissibility: clean record, medical clearance and honest forms – misrepresentation can mean a five-year ban.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification, Embassy Contacts and Verification
You do not apply for a Canadian work permit at the embassy: you apply online and give biometrics at an official visa application centre. Missions handle consular services; visa questions go through the IRCC web form. Contacts below are from Government of Canada pages (checked October 2026); for other countries see the official embassy list.
| Country | Mission | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | High Commission of Canada, Abuja | 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja | +234 (209) 461 2900 | Official page |
| India | High Commission of Canada, New Delhi | 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021 | +91 11 4178 2000 | Official page |
| Ghana | High Commission of Canada, Accra | 42 Independence Avenue, Accra | +233 (0) 302 21 15 21 | Official page |
| Philippines | Embassy of Canada, Manila | Levels 6–8, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City | +63 2 8857 9000 | Official page |
How to verify a job offer, LMIA or visa
- Ask for the LMIA decision letter and check the employer name, job, NOC, wage and location against your contract.
- Find the company yourself (official website, business registry) and check that emails use its own domain.
- Never pay for a job offer or LMIA; official IRCC fees are paid only on IRCC’s website.
- Report suspicious offers via IRCC’s fraud page.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Paying for “free accommodation” visa packages advertised on social media.
- Assuming any cleaning job can get an LMIA – location and sector rules apply.
- Paying for a “guaranteed” LMIA job.
- Using the wrong NOC code or copied job descriptions in reference letters.
- Submitting fake or exaggerated documents (five-year ban risk).
- Working outside the employer, job or location on your permit.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
If housing is provided, your contract must state the rent and deductions. Free settlement services can help with banking, SIN, language classes and finding better jobs once you hold PR.
| Benefit | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Provincial plans may have a waiting period; get private cover first | Provincial health ministry |
| Free settlement services | Jobs, language classes, housing help | IRCC newcomer services |
| SIN and benefits | SIN to work; eligible families may get the Canada Child Benefit | canada.ca – SIN |
Conclusion
Cleaner jobs in Canada with LMIA visa sponsorship exist, mainly in hospitals, resorts, remote camps and facility-services companies outside high-unemployment cities. Accommodation must be affordable and suitable, but it is only free if your employer offers it in writing.
Next step: check Job Bank for current cleaner postings, compare employers above and never pay for a job offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cleaner jobs in Canada come with free accommodation?
Not automatically. Employers of low-wage foreign workers must ensure suitable and affordable housing is available. Some resorts and camps provide free or subsidized housing, but only your contract can confirm it.
Can cleaners still get LMIAs in 2026?
Yes, but low-wage LMIAs are refused in metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or more unless the employer is in an exempt sector such as hospitals or nursing care.
How much do cleaners earn in Canada?
Job Bank shows national medians of about $19.74 per hour for light-duty cleaners and $21.27 for janitors.
Can a cleaner get permanent residence?
Possibly, through provincial semi-skilled streams, the RCIP or the Atlantic Immigration Program. Express Entry is generally not available for TEER 5 jobs.
Do I need experience?
Most employers prefer at least 6–12 months of cleaning or housekeeping experience.
Who pays for the LMIA?
The employer pays the $1,000 LMIA processing fee and cannot recover it, or any recruitment fee, from you. For low-wage positions the employer must also pay round-trip airfare and arrange private health insurance until provincial coverage starts.
Next guide: Registered Nurse Jobs in Canada With Visa Sponsorship →
Important: ConvertKind Jobs is an independent information website. We are not an employer, recruiter or immigration adviser, we do not offer jobs or visas and we never charge fees. Rules, wages and fees change often, so always confirm details on the official government websites linked in this guide or with a licensed immigration professional before you apply or pay anyone.