Explore server jobs in Canada offering visa sponsorship. Find out about the requirements and benefits involved.
Canada is a land of opportunity and one of the magnificent places to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. Compared to other profession options in this industry, server jobs just happen to be one of the most in-demand professions, as restaurants, cafes, hotels, and catering services demand skilled professionals.
Thus, for those who are going to apply for a visa sponsorship job in Canada, working as a server will walk you through everything right from job roles and requirements to application processes and benefits.
Why Apply for Server Jobs in Canada?
Growing Hospitality Industry
Due to the pluralistic population in the country, Canada’s hospitality industry has always seen an all-time high because of the increasing tourism business. Therefore, this growth created a high demand for servers who could converse well with customers. Be it a plush restaurant offering fine dining in Toronto or a small Café at the heart of Vancouver; there is always scope for good servers who could add to the fine dining experience.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of serving in Canada is that it can be a stepping stone to permanent residency. Several immigration streams, including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, give work experience in the hospitality sector the nod. Under the right circumstances of job and employer, your serving job could very well be a path to staying in Canada more permanently.
Competitive Salaries and Tips
Servers in Canada are paid competitively, and tips can go a long way in increasing your take-home pay. The base payment may be smaller since it varies with each province; the tips and the culture of giving tips in Canada are excellent since there will be an increase of 10 to 20 percent addition on the bill. This adds up quite a bit, most times helping balance out the high cost of living in some cities.
Visa Sponsorship Server Job Overview
What is Visa Sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship, in simple terms, is when a Canadian employer is willing to sponsor your work visa to have legal working rights in Canada. This usually consists of the employer proving they couldn’t find the right person in Canada to fill the position, thereby justifying their reason to bring in foreign talent.
Types of Work Visas
There are several popular types of work visas that are considered for server jobs in Canada.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): It is a program that allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers for temporary jobs. As a server, you come under the category for applying for a work permit.
International Mobility Program: In contrast with the TFWP, this program does not rely on an LMIA, which simplifies the process for an employer who wants to retain the services of a foreign national. This program is generally utilized in certain categories, such as intra-company transfers or international agreements.
Provincial Nominee Program: Most the provinces have streams targeting hospitality workers. Once qualified, nomination for permanent residency inclusive of a work permit by the province could be accorded.
Job Requirements for Servers in Canada
Educational Qualifications
While the attainment of formal education is not usually necessary to become a server in Canada, having a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification offers some advantage. Some employers may favor having candidates with a diploma in hospitality management or any other related field, although that again remains at the discretion of the organization concerned.
Skill and Experience
Customer Service:
To be affable, attentive, and responsive to customer needs is the basic essentiality in this job.
Communication:
Superior verbal communication ability is much needed especially, in a country like Canada where communication rules in both areas of English and French.
Multitasking:
Servers work multi-task presumably all through. They are taking people’s orders, serving the food, and working on the bill payment at the same time.
Experience:
Experience will be a plus. If you worked relatedly before to this or even held a server position, you can tell us the cuisines you had to deal with, in what kind of establishment, or which category of customers.
Certifications
In Canada, there are a set of certifications that servers may be required to get, including:
Smart Serve (Ontario): This is a legal requirement for anyone serving alcohol in Ontario. The program requires a brief course on the responsible serving of alcohol.
Serving It Right (British Columbia): The equivalent program in British Columbia has similar requirements.
Food Safety Certification: Most employers require a basic food safety certification demonstrating a server understands proper food handling and sanitation.
How to Find Server Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
Online Job Portals
A number of online job portals show the availability of server jobs in Canada, which offer visa sponsorship. Among them are:
Job Bank Canada: The official government job website sometimes posts hospitality jobs offering visa sponsorship.
Indeed: A very good job search engine where you can filter jobs that include visa sponsorship.
Workopolis: Another famous Canadian job portal having a number of job postings in the hospitality sector.
Networking
Networking plays an important role in searching for a job as a server with visa sponsorship. By networking with industry professionals, joining social media groups related to their field, and attending job fairs, opportunities may come along. Sometimes, jobs are not advertised publicly; rather, they’re filled by word of mouth.
Agencies for Recruitment
In Canada, there are a number of agencies that work towards placing foreign workers in hospitality jobs. Some of these have tied relationships with employers willing to sponsor visas. They can take you through the application process to ensure that you satisfy all requirements.
Visa Sponsorship Application Process
Step 1: Get a Job Offer
Your first step is finding a job offer from a Canadian employer. This job offer must indicate that the employer is willing to sponsor your visa.
Step 2: Application of LMIA by the Employer, if applicable
If your job comes under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, your employer will have to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This document proves that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position and that no Canadian worker is available to do the job.
Step 3: Apply for a Work Permit
After the LMIA is approved, if required, your next step would be to apply for a work permit. You will be invited to submit your job offer, LMIA if required, and other necessary documents to IRCC.
Step 4: Travel to Canada
Book a trip in the case of an approved work permit. Your work permit will be issued upon arrival in Canada at the port of entry.
Benefits of Working as a Server in Canada
Cultural Exposure
Working as a server in Canada exposes you to diverse cultures and cuisines. Canada’s multicultural environment means you get to meet all kinds of people; thus, this increases one’s cultural awareness and adaptability.
Skill Development
Serving jobs help you develop big-sized and precious skills: communication, time management, and teamwork. These skills are not only useful in the hospitality sphere but also could be applied in any other career path.
Career Building
It is a wide-open field from server to a plethora of career possibilities that could become available within the hospitality industry. In a few years and with additional training, for example, you can rise up to restaurant manager, certified sommelier, or entrepreneur position.
Social Integration
Working as a server means getting quickly integrated into Canadian society. You will get involved with the locals every day, improving your language and exploring traditions and customs of Canadian people.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Adapting to the Work Environment
Work environment: Working conditions can be quite different from what you are used to. The serving staff in Canada is supposed to be proactive, friendly, and customer-oriented. You might need to adapt very fast by observing colleagues and asking for feedback.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions in Canada are quite inclement, especially if you aren’t used to cold states. You can adjust to this through investment in warm clothes and psyched preparation for the winter months.
Cultural Understanding of Tipping
While tipping is common in many countries, the percentage and expectations can vary. In Canada, it is considered 15-20%. Learn the local customs to ensure you serve well and get good tips.
Conclusion
With server jobs in Canada, one gets a very great opportunity to nurture their career in the hospitality industry along with international experience. Landing a visa-sponsored job as a server is achievable once the right kind of preparation is in place.