10 Restaurant Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship: Where to Find High-Paying Positions

If you’re dreaming of working in Canada but don’t have permanent residency or citizenship, finding a job with visa sponsorship could be your ticket to a new life. The restaurant industry, with its growing demand for workers, offers numerous opportunities for foreign nationals to secure high-paying positions while obtaining the sponsorship they need. In 2024, many Canadian restaurants are looking to fill gaps left by labor shortages, and they are increasingly willing to sponsor foreign workers to keep their kitchens running smoothly.

But how do you go about finding these jobs? What kinds of positions are available, and where should you be looking? If you’re interested in restaurant jobs in Canada that offer visa sponsorship, this guide will walk you through the best roles, cities, and strategies to land a high-paying position.

Why Restaurants in Canada Are Sponsoring Workers?

In recent years, Canada’s restaurant industry has faced significant labor shortages. The pandemic, coupled with an aging workforce, has left many restaurants struggling to find enough skilled and unskilled labor to meet customer demand. This shortage is particularly acute in regions with strong tourism industries and high restaurant turnover.

To address these gaps, many restaurants have turned to immigration to fill roles. Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and other immigration pathways allow employers to hire foreign nationals to meet their staffing needs. These programs make it easier for restaurants to sponsor workers from abroad, offering them the chance to come to Canada with a work visa.

CHECK OUT: High-Paying Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship for Non-Canadians

10 Restaurant Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship

For job seekers outside Canada, this is a golden opportunity. Whether you’re a chef, line cook, or food service worker, securing a restaurant job with visa sponsorship is more attainable than ever.

1. Executive Chef

As the top role in the kitchen, executive chefs are in high demand across Canada, especially in high-end restaurants, resorts, and large hotels. Restaurants are willing to sponsor executive chefs from abroad who bring specialized skills and unique culinary experiences to the table. If you have experience managing kitchens, creating menus, and leading teams, this is a role where visa sponsorship is often available.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 70,000 to CAD 120,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Look to cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where fine dining is a booming industry, and restaurants are eager to bring in international talent.

2. Sous Chef

As a sous chef, you’ll work alongside the executive chef and play a key role in running the kitchen. With the right experience and culinary skills, many restaurants are open to sponsoring sous chefs to fill their staffing needs. This role is often a stepping stone to becoming an executive chef, and it’s a great way to start your culinary career in Canada.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 50,000 to CAD 75,000 per year
• Where to Find It: High-end restaurants and hotels in Vancouver, Toronto, and Whistler are actively seeking sous chefs. These cities are known for their vibrant food scenes and offer visa sponsorship opportunities to qualified candidates.

3. Pastry Chef

If you specialize in creating stunning desserts, baked goods, and pastries, then working as a pastry chef could be your entry point into Canada’s culinary industry. With high-end bakeries, restaurants, and hotels always looking for skilled pastry chefs, many are willing to offer visa sponsorship to bring in talent from abroad.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 45,000 to CAD 65,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Fine dining restaurants and boutique bakeries in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver are excellent places to start your search. These cities boast thriving culinary arts sectors, and businesses are keen to hire pastry chefs who can elevate their dessert menus.

4. Line Cook

Line cooks are the backbone of every kitchen, preparing dishes to the chef’s specifications and ensuring quality across the board. While it’s often considered an entry-level position, skilled line cooks are in high demand, especially in high-volume or high-end restaurants. Many establishments sponsor line cooks to meet their staffing needs, particularly if they have specialized skills.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 32,000 to CAD 45,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Restaurants in major cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver are constantly looking for line cooks. Seasonal tourist destinations such as Banff and Whistler also offer visa sponsorship for this role, especially during peak seasons.

5. Restaurant Manager

For those with experience in both front-of-house operations and team management, working as a restaurant manager is a high-paying role that often includes visa sponsorship. In this position, you’ll oversee daily operations, manage staff, handle customer service, and ensure the restaurant runs smoothly.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 55,000 to CAD 85,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver offer great opportunities for restaurant managers. Chain restaurants and luxury hotels are especially keen to hire managers with international experience and are often willing to sponsor foreign nationals to fill these roles.

6. Dishwasher

Though considered an entry-level job, dishwashers are essential to restaurant operations. Restaurants facing labor shortages are increasingly sponsoring dishwashers from abroad, providing a simple yet solid entry point into the Canadian job market.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 30,000 to CAD 38,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Fast-paced restaurants in Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal are the most likely to sponsor dishwashers, particularly if they are struggling to find local staff.

7. Barista

With Canada’s growing coffee culture, the role of a barista has evolved into a specialized position, particularly in artisanal cafés. Skilled baristas who can craft a perfect latte art or brew complex coffee blends are in demand. While it may seem like a modest job, some high-end coffee shops are willing to sponsor foreign baristas to fill these roles.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 30,000 to CAD 40,000 per year (plus tips)
• Where to Find It: Cities like Vancouver and Montreal are hubs for coffee culture and are most likely to offer sponsorship to experienced baristas looking to bring their skills to Canada.

8. Food and Beverage Server

In Canada’s busy restaurant scene, food and beverage servers play a key role in delivering excellent customer service. While many server positions are filled locally, some high-end or high-volume restaurants are willing to sponsor foreign servers, particularly those with multilingual skills or experience in luxury dining environments.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 28,000 to CAD 40,000 per year (plus tips)
• Where to Find It: Tourist-heavy regions such as Banff, Whistler, and Niagara Falls often seek food and beverage servers, especially during peak seasons. These areas are also more likely to offer visa sponsorship for foreign workers.

9. Head Bartender

Head bartenders in upscale cocktail bars and luxury hotels are highly valued for their creativity, knowledge of mixology, and ability to manage a bar team. If you have experience crafting high-end cocktails or managing a bar in a high-volume setting, this role can come with a generous salary and the possibility of visa sponsorship.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 40,000 to CAD 60,000 per year (plus tips)
• Where to Find It: High-end restaurants, hotels, and cocktail bars in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal often seek skilled bartenders and are willing to offer visa sponsorship for the right candidate.

10. Catering Manager

As a catering manager, you’ll be responsible for planning and executing large events like weddings, conferences, and corporate functions. This role is ideal for someone with a strong organizational background and experience in managing large-scale food and beverage services. High-end hotels and event venues are often willing to sponsor foreign catering managers who bring valuable experience to the table.

• Average Salary (2024): CAD 55,000 to CAD 80,000 per year
• Where to Find It: Major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are home to numerous event venues and hotels that require skilled catering managers and are more likely to offer visa sponsorship.

How to Secure a Restaurant Job with Visa Sponsorship in Canada

Finding a restaurant job in Canada that offers visa sponsorship isn’t just about applying to the first job you see. It’s important to approach the process strategically.

1. Research Employers Who Sponsor Foreign Workers

Not all restaurants offer visa sponsorship, so you’ll need to focus your search on establishments known for hiring foreign workers. Look for large restaurant chains, luxury hotels, and fine dining establishments, as these businesses are more likely to have the resources and need to sponsor foreign talent.

2. Leverage Canadian Job Boards

Job boards such as Job Bank, Indeed Canada, and Glassdoor often list positions that specify visa sponsorship. You can filter your search based on the type of visa support offered by employers.

3. Highlight Specialized Skills

If you have unique skills—whether it’s a specific culinary technique or experience in managing high-volume restaurants—make sure to highlight these in your applications. Employers are more likely to sponsor workers who bring specialized expertise that’s difficult to find locally.

Conclusion

The Canadian restaurant industry is brimming with opportunities for foreign workers in 2024, especially as labor shortages drive the need for skilled and unskilled positions alike. From executive chefs in fine dining establishments to dishwashers in bustling city restaurants, the variety of roles that offer visa sponsorship is vast. The key to securing one of these high-paying jobs lies in knowing where to look and how to position your skills effectively.