The Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks has revealed that skilled chefs and cooks are in high demand in the country. It does not matter what part of the world you are from; your excellent culinary skills could be your ticket to immigrating to Canada as a chef or cook.
With Canada being a good tourist destination, the Canadian hospitality sector provides local Canadian dishes and foreign cuisines ranging from Italian to Asian, African, and so on.
Canada is a country that is welcoming to foreigners. Moreover, since it has learned to embrace foreign immigrants, it has also learned to embrace their cooking styles.
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How Can You Work in Canada as a Chef?
All Canadian provinces require more chefs, cooks, and other food service workers to come into their labour force.
Since there is a high demand for these positions but a shortage of workers, you stand a high chance of successfully immigrating to work in Canada as a chef.
If you are wondering how you can begin the immigration process to Canada to work as a chef, there are four basic steps that you must take:
- Search and apply for relevant positions to work as a chef or cook in Canada
- Apply for your Canadian work permit
- Get certification and Red Seal Endorsement
- Apply to a relevant immigration pathway
Search and Apply for Relevant Positions to Work as a Chef in Canada
Getting a job position as a chef in Canada is not necessarily the first step.
However, you may begin searching for relevant positions while you continue other immigration processes.
You will be surprised at how many vacancies are available in Canada for cooks and chefs. The country is recruiting persons who can take charge of food services in hospitals, retirement homes, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Many are needed to specialize in making foreign cuisines, while others are recruited for their expertise in preparing healthy and delicious meals.
Apply for your Canadian Work Permit
You can apply for your Canadian work permit with a relevant job offer. Note that your work permit is not the same as your visa.
The work permit permits you to work in Canada, while your visa only permits moving into the country. There are two major types of work permits in Canada:
- The open work permit
- The employer-specific work permit
An open work permit is a permit that makes you available to work for anyone in Canada. You can apply for this kind of work permit even if you still need to get a job offer.
However, you may not be able to get an open work permit if you have never had any reason to stay in Canada, as this work permit is usually for graduated students or persons awaiting the results of their application for pr.
The employer-specific work permit, as the name implies, allows you to work for only one employer.
This is the most common kind of work permit foreigners can apply for, and you need a job offer to get one.
Your employer-specific work permit states which you will be working for, a summarized job description, and the time frame you can work in Canada as negotiated between you and your employer.
Get Certification and Red Seal Endorsement
Certain occupations in Canada require you to obtain certifications or accreditations before you can begin work.
To immigrate to Canada as a chef, you must get relevant certification as regulated by the body of chefs and/or cooks in the province you will be working in. you should be careful to follow only the regulatory processes in your province.
This is because the certification process varies from province to province and profession.
However, irrespective of what province you will be working with, cooks and chefs are recognized as skilled traders and must obtain certification to work in Canada.
The Red Seal Endorsement is another kind of accreditation in Canada. Not all trades that require accreditation require a Red Seal Endorsement but working as chefs and cooks in Canada do.
With a Red Seal Endorsement, you prove that you have proficient skills you work in your profession. This endorsement can improve your chances of getting employed as a chef in Canada if you still need to.
To obtain the Red Seal Endorsement, you must take the Red Seal Examination and meet other criteria the governing body provides.
Apply to a Relevant Immigration Pathway
Applying to an immigration pathway finally makes you eligible to immigrate to Canada as a Chef. There are several immigration pathways you can employ depending on which is most convenient for your situation.
Some immigration pathways require you to have a valid job offer or Canadian work experience, while some do not.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are the most accessible pathways to immigrate to Canada as a chef.
You may or may not have a Canadian job offer or work experience to apply for these programs.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is an immigration program under the Express Entry that favors prospective immigrants who are skilled experts in certain trade occupations.
There is a list of occupations that qualify as a skilled trade in Canada, and working as a chef is one of them. Occupations are regulated by the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), and all jobs eligible for this program are referred to as ‘Skill type B.’
No specific level of education is needed to apply for the FSTP, giving you a chance at working in Canada even with your high school diploma.
Applying to FSTP grants, you not only the opportunity to work in Canada but also permanent residency.
This means that you can remain in Canada for the rest of your life, working as a chef, if you apply to this program.
The minimum requirements to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are as follows:
- Two years of relevant full-time work experience or its part-time equivalent. The work experience must be within the immediate past five years.
- A one-year valid job offer in Canada OR a certificate of qualification from any province or territory in Canada.
- Proficiency in English or French Language as applicable. Proof of proficiency in the English Language is determined using the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), While proficiency in French is measured with the Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC).
- Proof of sufficient funds to immigrate and settle in Canada
- Ability to demonstrate that you meet all of the minimum requirements
If you meet the minimum requirements, you can go ahead to create an online Express Entry profile. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assesses all express entry profiles.
Your profile is compared with these requirements and is used to award you CRS points. About two times a month, there will be an Express Entry draw when profiles with the highest CRS points are chosen.
Use the CRS tool to estimate your score
If you can make a CRS score that beats the competition, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Application for pr through the Federal Skilled Trades Program is processed in about six months.
FAQs on Working in Canada as a Chef
- Do you Require Accreditation to Work as a Chef in Canada?
- How much can you Earn as a Chef in Canada?
- Can I Work as A Chef in Canada with a High School Diploma?
- Where can I Work as a Chef in Canada?
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are interested in immigrating to Canada as a chef, this guide is for you. It has all the information you need to make the process as smooth as possible. Remember that Canada is an open country, so do not be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Finally, remember to enjoy your new home and the fantastic food!
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