$100k Engineering Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship

You’re scrolling through job posts right now. You see Canadian engineering salaries—$80k, $90k, even $100k+, and you think, “That’s what I want.” You’ve got the degree. You’ve got the experience. But you’re stuck in a country where engineers earn a fraction of what they could make in Canada.

And then there’s the big question: Will anyone actually sponsor your visa?

Here’s what I want you to know: Yes, they will.

Canada isn’t like other countries. They’re actively looking for skilled engineers. They have programs specifically designed to bring in foreign talent. And unlike the US, Canada’s immigration system is actually more predictable and often faster.

I’ve helped dozens of engineers make this move. Some from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, and the Philippines. Many of them are now earning $100k or more in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

In this guide, I’m going to show you:

• Which engineering jobs actually pay $100k+ in Canada
• The exact visa programs that get you there (Express Entry, PNPs, and LMIAs)
• Step-by-step process to land a sponsored job
• Real companies that hire foreign engineers
• How to avoid scams and wasted time

This isn’t theory. This is the actual roadmap. Let’s go.

The Truth About $100k Engineering Salaries in Canada

First, let’s talk numbers. Not every engineering job in Canada pays $100k. But many do, especially if you have experience.

Engineering Jobs That Hit $100k+ in Canada

Here’s a breakdown of what different engineering roles actually pay:

Engineering Role	Entry-Level Salary	Mid-Level (3-5 Years)	Senior-Level (8+ Years)
Software Engineer	$65k – $80k	$90k – $120k	$120k – $160k+
Petroleum Engineer	$70k – $85k	$100k – $130k	$130k – $180k+
Data Engineer	$70k – $85k	$95k – $125k	$125k – $150k+
Electrical Engineer	$60k – $75k	$85k – $105k	$105k – $130k
Mechanical Engineer	$60k – $75k	$80k – $100k	$100k – $125k
Civil Engineer	$55k – $70k	$75k – $95k	$95k – $120k
DevOps Engineer	$70k – $90k	$100k – $130k	$130k – $160k+
Cloud Architect	$85k – $100k	$110k – $140k	$140k – $180k+

Key insight: Software engineering, petroleum engineering, and specialized tech roles (DevOps, cloud, data) hit $100k faster than traditional engineering fields.

Which Cities Pay the Most?

Location matters. Here’s where engineers earn the most:

1. Toronto, Ontario

• Highest number of tech jobs
• Average software engineer salary: $95k – $125k
• Cost of living is high, but opportunities are everywhere

2. Vancouver, British Columbia

• Tech hub with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, SAP
• Average software engineer salary: $90k – $120k
• Beautiful city, but expensive housing

3. Calgary, Alberta

• Oil and gas industry center
• Petroleum engineers: $100k – $150k+
• Lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver

4. Ottawa, Ontario

• Government tech jobs and security clearance work
• Average engineer salary: $85k – $110k
• Stable, secure positions

5. Waterloo, Ontario

• Known as Canada’s Silicon Valley
• Home to startups and tech companies
• Software engineers: $90k – $115k

Understanding Canadian Visa Options for Engineers

Here’s where it gets practical. Canada has several pathways for skilled workers. Let me break down the ones that actually work for engineers.

1. Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program)

This is the most popular route. It’s a points-based system where you compete against other applicants.

How it works:

• You create an online profile
• You get scored on factors like age, education, work experience, and English skills
• If your score is high enough, you get invited to apply for permanent residence
• Processing time: 6-12 months

Typical scores needed: 470-500 points (the cutoff changes every few weeks)

Why engineers do well: You get major points for having a bachelor’s degree or higher, skilled work experience, and being under 30 years old.

The catch: This doesn’t require a job offer, but having one gives you 50-200 extra points. So while you can apply without a job, getting sponsored makes your application much stronger.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Each Canadian province has its own immigration program. They can nominate you for permanent residence if you have skills they need.

Popular PNPs for engineers:

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• Tech draws specifically for software engineers and IT professionals
• Requires a job offer from an Ontario employer

British Columbia PNP (BC PNP)

• Tech pilot program for in-demand tech jobs
• Faster processing than Express Entry

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

• Great for petroleum and mechanical engineers
• Strong oil and gas industry connections

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

• Often has lower score requirements
• Good for engineers with 1-2 years of experience

Why PNPs matter: They give you 600 extra Express Entry points. That basically guarantees you’ll get invited.

3. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Work Permits

This is the traditional “employer sponsorship” route.

How it works:

• A Canadian employer wants to hire you
• They prove to the government that no Canadian can do the job
• You get a closed work permit (tied to that specific employer)
• You can work immediately while applying for permanent residence

Processing time: 2-6 months for the work permit

The advantage: You can start working and earning that $100k salary right away. You don’t have to wait for permanent residence.

The challenge: Employers have to pay fees and do paperwork. Not all companies want to do this for junior engineers. But for experienced engineers (especially in tech), many companies will.

4. Intra-Company Transfers

If you work for a multinational company with offices in Canada, you might qualify for an intra-company transfer.

Examples:

• You work for Accenture in India, they transfer you to their Toronto office
• You work for Schlumberger in Nigeria, they move you to Calgary

Why it’s easier: No LMIA required. No job market test. Faster processing.

Step-by-Step Process to Land a $100k Engineering Job with Sponsorship

Let me walk you through exactly what you need to do.

Step 1: Assess Your Express Entry Score

Before you even apply for jobs, check if you qualify for Express Entry.

Go to Canada’s CRS calculator online and input:

• Your age
• Your education level
• Your work experience (years)
• Your English test scores (IELTS or CELPIP)
• Whether you have a job offer

If your score is 450+: You have a strong chance without a job offer. Still apply for jobs to boost your score.

If your score is 350-450: You need a job offer or provincial nomination to have a realistic shot.

If your score is below 350: Focus on improving your IELTS score or gaining more work experience before applying.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Get these ready before you start applying:

1. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Canadian employers need to know your degree is legitimate. Get your credentials evaluated by:

• WES (World Education Services) – Most popular, costs around $200-300
• IQAS – If applying to Alberta
• ICAS – Alternative option

This takes 4-8 weeks, so start early.

2. English Language Test

Take either:

• IELTS (General Training) – Aim for CLB 9 (7.0+ in each section)
• CELPIP – Popular with people already in English-speaking countries

Higher scores = more Express Entry points.

3. Professional Engineering License (P.Eng)

You don’t need this to apply for jobs, but some employers prefer it. You can start the application with:

• PEO (Professional Engineers Ontario)
• APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta)

You can often begin this process from outside Canada.

4. Updated Resume

Format it the Canadian way:

• No photo
• No personal details like marital status or religion
• Focus on measurable achievements (“Reduced processing time by 30%”)
• Use keywords from job descriptions
• Keep it to 2 pages maximum

Step 3: Target the Right Companies

Not every company sponsors foreign workers. Focus your energy on these types:

Large Tech Companies (They Regularly Sponsor):

• Shopify
• Amazon Canada
• Microsoft Canada
• Google Canada
• IBM Canada
• Oracle Canada
• SAP Canada
• Cisco Canada

Engineering & Consulting Firms:

• Hatch
• SNC-Lavalin
• Aecon
• WSP
• Stantec
• AECOM Canada

Oil & Gas Companies (For Petroleum/Mechanical Engineers):

• Suncor Energy
• Canadian Natural Resources
• Cenovus Energy
• Imperial Oil
• Shell Canada

Startups & Mid-Size Tech:

Check these job boards for companies open to sponsorship:

• LinkedIn (filter for “sponsorship available”)
• Indeed Canada (search “LMIA sponsorship” or “visa sponsorship”)
• Glassdoor (read company reviews about sponsorship)
• AngelList (tech startups, many sponsor)
• Hired.com (tech roles, upfront about visa sponsorship)

Step 4: Apply Strategically

Here’s the hard truth: You’ll apply to 100+ jobs. You’ll hear back from maybe 10-15. You’ll get interviews with 3-5. You’ll get offers from 1-2.

Make your applications count:

Customize every application. Copy-pasting the same resume doesn’t work. Adjust your resume for each job. Use the exact keywords from the job posting.

Write a cover letter. Yes, really. Most people skip this. That’s why you should do it. Explain why you want to work in Canada specifically and what value you bring.

Apply early. Job posts get hundreds of applications. Apply within the first 2-3 days of posting.

Network on LinkedIn. Find engineers who work at your target companies. Send them a short, polite message asking about their experience. Don’t immediately ask for a referral—build a connection first.

Step 5: Ace the Interview

Canadian interviews are professional but friendly. Here’s what they’re looking for:

Technical skills: Be ready for coding tests (software engineers), case studies, or technical problem-solving questions.

Cultural fit: Canadians value teamwork, humility, and communication. Don’t just talk about yourself—talk about how you helped your team succeed.

Visa clarity: Be upfront. Say something like: “I’m currently in [country], and I’m looking for an employer who can support LMIA sponsorship. I already have my ECA completed and I’m confident I’ll qualify for Express Entry.”

This shows you understand the process and aren’t expecting them to figure it out for you.

Step 6: Negotiate Your Offer

You got the offer. Congrats! Now negotiate.

What to ask for:

1. Salary: If the offer is below $100k and you have 5+ years of experience, negotiate up. Research salary ranges on Glassdoor and Levels.fyi.

2. Relocation support: Some companies offer $5k-10k to help you move.

3. Visa fee coverage: Ask if they’ll cover your LMIA application fees and immigration lawyer costs.

4. Timeline: Get clarity on when they’ll start the LMIA process.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Canadian employers expect it.

Step 7: The LMIA and Work Permit Process

Once you accept the offer, your employer starts the process:

Timeline breakdown:

Stage	Duration	What Happens
LMIA Application	2-6 months	Employer proves they need a foreign worker
LMIA Approval	N/A	You receive a copy of the approved LMIA
Work Permit Application	2-8 weeks	You apply for your work permit online
Biometrics & Medical	1-2 weeks	You visit a visa center for fingerprints
Work Permit Approval	N/A	You receive your permit
Travel to Canada	N/A	You fly and start working

Total time: 4-9 months typically

While working on your LMIA work permit, you can also apply for Express Entry to get permanent residence.

What Engineers Search For

If you’re looking for more information, here are the exact terms people search (and what they mean):

• “Software engineer jobs Canada LMIA” – Looking for employer-sponsored tech roles
• “Express Entry for engineers” – Checking if they qualify for permanent residence
• “Canada PR for engineers” – Researching permanent residence pathways
• “$100k engineering salary Canada” – Checking if salaries justify the move
• “LMIA approved companies Canada” – Finding employers known to sponsor
• “PNP for software engineers” – Looking at provincial nomination programs
• “Engineering jobs with visa sponsorship” – General search for sponsored positions
• “Highest paying engineering jobs Canada” – Researching which roles pay best

Red Flags: Avoiding Job Scams

Let’s talk about the scams you need to avoid.

Warning Signs of Fake Job Offers

1. They ask for money upfront

Real employers NEVER ask you to pay for your own LMIA or job offer. If someone asks for $2,000-5,000 “processing fees,” it’s a scam.

2. Guaranteed jobs

No agency can guarantee you a job. Anyone promising “100% job placement in Canada” is lying.

3. Too-good-to-be-true offers

If you get an offer for $120k as a junior engineer with 1 year of experience, be suspicious. Check if the company is real. Google their office address.

4. Pressure tactics

Scammers rush you. “You must pay within 24 hours or lose this opportunity!” Real companies don’t operate this way.

5. Poor communication

Legitimate Canadian companies have professional emails, clear websites, and detailed job descriptions. If communication is vague or full of errors, walk away.

How to Verify a Company Is Legitimate

Do these checks:

• Search the company on LinkedIn, do they have employees? Recent posts?
• Check their website, is it professional? Does it list real projects?
• Look them up on Google Maps. Do they have a physical office?
• Search “[company name] reviews” or “[company name] scam”
• Check with Engineers Canada or your provincial engineering association

Your Action Plan: What to Do This Week

You’ve read this far. That means you’re serious. Here’s what you should do in the next 7 days:

Day 1-2: Assessment

• Calculate your Express Entry CRS score
• Research which provinces need your engineering specialty
• Check current Express Entry cutoff scores

Day 3-4: Documentation

• Order your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Register for IELTS or CELPIP
• Update your resume in Canadian format

Day 5-6: Research

• Make a list of 30-50 target companies
• Join LinkedIn groups for engineers in Canada
• Connect with 10 people who made the move from your country

Day 7: Applications

• Apply to your first 5 jobs
• Set up job alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed
• Create your Express Entry profile (if your score is competitive)

Real Talk: Timeline Expectations

Let me be honest about timing. This isn’t a quick process.

If you’re skilled and experienced (5+ years):

• 2-4 months to get interviews
• 4-6 months to get a job offer
• 4-9 months for LMIA and work permit
• Total: 10-19 months

If you’re mid-level (2-4 years experience):

• 3-6 months to get interviews
• 6-9 months to get a job offer
• 4-9 months for LMIA and work permit
• Total: 13-24 months

If you’re junior (0-2 years): It’s harder. Consider gaining more experience first, or focus on Express Entry without a job offer. Getting LMIA sponsorship as a junior is tough.

Conclusion: Your $100k Canadian Dream Starts Today

You now know more about Canadian engineering immigration than 95% of people searching online.

You know which jobs pay $100k+. You know the visa pathways. You know the step-by-step process. You know which companies actually sponsor. And you know how to avoid the scams.

But here’s the thing: Information without action is useless.

Hundreds of people will read this post. Maybe 50 will calculate their Express Entry score. Maybe 20 will order their credential assessment. Maybe 10 will actually apply to jobs. And maybe 2-3 will actually land in Canada within 18 months.

Which group do you want to be in?

The engineers I’ve seen succeed all had one thing in common: they started. They didn’t wait for perfect timing. They didn’t wait until their English was perfect or their resume was perfect. They just began.

So here’s my challenge to you: Do one thing today.

Calculate your CRS score. Order your ECA. Update your resume. Apply to one job. Just one action.

Because that $100k salary, that Canadian lifestyle, that opportunity for your family—it’s not going to fall into your lap. You have to go get it.

And now you know exactly how.

Welcome to the beginning of your Canadian engineering career. Let’s make it happen.

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Have questions? Drop them in the comments. I respond to everyone. And if this helped you, share it with another engineer who’s dreaming of Canada. They’ll thank you later.