Welder jobs in Canada with LMIA visa sponsorship are one of the most practical routes for skilled tradespeople who want to work abroad. Steel fabricators, pipeline and energy contractors, shipyards and manufacturers all need qualified welders, and the trade is listed in the Express Entry trades category for 2026.
“Immediate employment” in job ads means the employer wants someone to start as soon as the permit is issued – it never means the visa process is skipped. This guide covers welding job types, real wages from Job Bank, visa and PR routes, employers and agencies, documents, embassy contacts and the mistakes that cause refusals.
🌍 More Available Jobs
In this guide
Welder Jobs in Canada at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation code | NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators (TEER 2) |
| Typical pay | Job Bank national median about $30.00/hour (≈ $62k/year) |
| Main work permit route | Employer-specific work permit with an LMIA |
| PR options | Express Entry (trades category), PNP, RCIP, AIP |
| Key requirement | Proven welding experience; a weld test is common; provincial certification may be required |
| Best for | MIG, TIG, stick and pipe welders with 2+ years of experience |
1. Types of Welder Jobs Available in Canada
Structural and Fabrication Welder
Works in fabrication shops on beams, columns and plate for buildings and bridges. Shops often follow CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) procedures and give practical weld tests.
Pipe Welder
Welds pressure piping for oil sands, pipelines, power plants and mining. Usually the highest-paid welding work, with rotations and camp accommodation on remote sites.
Manufacturing and Production Welder
Welds parts for trailers, agricultural equipment and machinery in plants across Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Shipbuilding and Repair Welder
Shipyards in BC, Québec and Nova Scotia hire welders for naval and commercial projects.
Maintenance Welder
Repairs equipment in mines, mills and processing plants – often combined with millwright or fitter duties.
2. Welder Salary Ranges in Canada (2026)
Welding wages vary widely by province, union status and whether you work in a shop or on industrial sites. Job Bank figures below are national; annual estimates assume 2,080 hours.
| Level | Hourly | Approx. yearly (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level / production welder | Below median | Varies by province |
| Experienced welder (national median) | $30.00 | ≈ $62k |
| Pipe and industrial welders | Above median, plus overtime and site allowances | Check Job Bank “high” wage for Alberta and BC |
Source: Job Bank – wages for welders (NOC 72106), 2023–2024 Labour Force Survey, updated November 19, 2025.
3. Visa Types for Foreign Welders in Canada
Most foreign welders 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 |
Whether a welding job is high-wage or low-wage depends on the provincial median wage threshold. Construction employers (NAICS 23) are exempt from the low-wage refusal-to-process rule, while many manufacturing employers are not – so the employer’s industry matters. Ask the employer which LMIA stream it is using.
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 Welder Jobs With Visa Sponsorship – Contacts and Addresses
These are real, well-known employers of welders 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Group | Edmonton, AB | Careers page | Steel fabrication and construction |
| Walters Group | Hamilton, ON | Official website | Structural steel fabrication |
| Canam | Saint-Georges, QC | Official website | Steel joists and structures (French useful in Québec) |
| Ledcor | Vancouver, BC | Careers page | Industrial and pipeline construction |
| PCL Construction | Edmonton, AB | Careers page | Industrial construction and modules |
| Aecon | Toronto, ON | Careers page | Energy, utilities and nuclear |
| Black & McDonald | Toronto, ON | Careers page | Mechanical and industrial services |
5. Employment Agencies to Find Welder 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 72106) and the LMIA decision letter or offer number
- Reference letters with duties, dates and hours, plus pay slips
- Welding certificates, weld test records or CWB tickets if you hold them
- Trade school diploma and a list of processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW) and positions you are qualified in
- 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 Welder – How to Apply
- Confirm your NOC 72106 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 72106 is in the Trade occupations category of Express Entry for 2026 (12 months of full-time experience in the last three years needed – official list).
| 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 |
Welders (NOC 72106) are in the Express Entry trade occupations category. Experienced welders can also apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program with a job offer or a provincial certificate of qualification. Welding is a Red Seal trade (Red Seal program), and many provinces let foreign welders challenge the exam after an assessment.
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
- Experience: most employers want 2–5 years of verifiable welding experience and will test you before hiring.
- Certification: requirements differ by province; some jobs require CWB tickets or a provincial certificate of qualification.
- Safety: WHMIS and site safety training are needed on Canadian worksites – employers usually arrange these after arrival.
- 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
- Claiming pipe-welding experience you cannot demonstrate in a practical weld test.
- 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
Industrial welders often work rotations in remote areas. Ask whether camp accommodation, travel to site and overtime are included, and get everything in writing. Plan a base city with settlement services for your family.
| 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
Welder jobs in Canada with LMIA visa sponsorship are realistic for experienced welders who can pass a weld test and document their work history. Target fabricators and industrial contractors directly, and plan your PR route through the Express Entry trades category or a provincial stream.
Next step: compare your duties with NOC 72106, check Job Bank wages in your target province and apply on the official careers pages above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do welders need a Red Seal to work in Canada?
Not always. Rules depend on the province and employer. Welding is a Red Seal trade and certification improves pay and PR options, but many employers hire based on experience and a practical test.
Are welders eligible for Express Entry category-based draws?
Yes. Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) are in the 2026 trade occupations category. You need at least 12 months of full-time experience in the last three years and must meet a program such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
How much do welders earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of about $30 per hour. Pipe and industrial welders in Alberta and BC can earn more, especially with overtime.
What does “immediate employment” mean in welding job ads?
It means the employer wants you to start quickly once you have a valid work permit. The LMIA and work permit steps still apply.
Which province hires the most welders?
Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and BC have the most welding jobs, linked to energy, manufacturing and construction.
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: Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Canada With Work Permit 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.