If you're an international worker looking for a tech job in Canada, one question dominates your search: "Will this company sponsor my visa?"
The good news: Canada has some of the most tech-friendly immigration policies in the world. The bad news: not every company sponsors, and the process is more nuanced than a simple yes/no.
Here's everything you need to know.
Understanding Canadian Work Authorization
Types of Work Permits
| Permit Type | Requires Employer Sponsorship | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) | No | 1-3 years | International students |
| GTS (Global Talent Stream) Work Permit | Yes (LMIA) | Up to 3 years | Skilled tech workers |
| Regular LMIA Work Permit | Yes (LMIA) | Varies | General skilled workers |
| IMP (Intra-Company Transfer) | No LMIA needed | Up to 3 years | Transfers from foreign offices |
| Open Work Permit | No | Varies | Spouses, certain programs |
Path 1: PGWP (No Sponsorship Needed)
If you graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), this is your easiest path:
Eligibility: - Completed program of 8+ months at a DLI - Applied within 180 days of graduation - Valid study permit at time of application
Duration: - 8 months to 2 years program = PGWP matches program length - 2+ year program = 3-year PGWP
Key advantage: You can work for ANY Canadian employer. No sponsorship needed.
Source: IRCC
Path 2: Global Talent Stream (Fastest Sponsorship)
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is the fastest way to get sponsored. Processing times are as short as 2 weeks.
How It Works:
- Employer applies for LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
-
GTS-aligned LMIAs processed in ~8-10 business days
-
LMIA approved → You apply for work permit from outside Canada
-
GTS work permits processed in ~2 weeks
-
Total time: About 3-4 weeks (vs. 3-6 months for regular LMIA)
Eligible Occupations (Category B)
Tech occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List:
| NOC Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 21311 | Computer Engineers |
| 21211 | Data Scientists |
| 21231 | Software Engineers and Designers |
| 21232 | Software Developers and Programmers |
| 21234 | Web Developers and Designers |
| 21233 | Web Designers and Developers |
| 21222 | Information Systems Specialists |
| 21230 | Computer Systems Developers and Programmers |
| 22220 | Computer Network Technicians |
Source: ESDC Global Talent Stream
Path 3: Innovation Stream (LMIA-Exempt)
In 2024, IRCC introduced the Innovation Stream for select high-growth companies:
Eligible Companies (as of late 2024):
- Companies in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)
- Eight companies initially designated
- Mostly tech sector
Advantage: No LMIA required—employers can grant work permits directly.
Source: CIC News 2024
Companies Known to Sponsor (Tech Sector)
Based on LMIA data and community reports:
Big Tech (Strong Sponsorship Track Record)
| Company | Sponsorship | Common Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | GTS, LMIA | Strong track record | |
| Amazon | Yes | GTS, LMIA | High volume |
| Microsoft | Yes | GTS, LMIA | Vancouver office |
| Meta | Yes | GTS, LMIA | Limited Canada hiring |
| Apple | Yes | GTS, LMIA | Limited Canada roles |
Mid-Size Tech
| Company | Sponsorship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Sometimes | Prefers PGWP/PR |
| Stripe | Case-by-case | Check with recruiter |
| Databricks | Yes | Vancouver |
| SAP | Yes | Montreal, Vancouver |
| Autodesk | Yes | Toronto, Montreal |
Consulting & Finance
| Company | Sponsorship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deloitte | Sometimes | GTS for specialized roles |
| McKinsey | Yes | High bar |
| RBC | Sometimes | Prefers PR/citizens |
| TD Bank | Sometimes | Security clearance roles often restricted |
How to Find Sponsoring Companies
1. Public LMIA Data
The Canadian government publishes quarterly data on employers with positive LMIAs:
ESDC Positive LMIA Employer List
This dataset shows: - Employer name - Location - Number of LMIA positions approved - Occupation categories
Pro tip: Search for "computer" or "software" in the occupation field.
2. Job Bank TFW Search
Job Bank Canada has a dedicated portal for Temporary Foreign Workers:
- Shows jobs where LMIA is "requested" or "approved"
- Filter by occupation and location
- Indicates which employers are actively sponsoring
3. Community Intel
| Resource | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| r/ImmigrationCanada | Real experiences | |
| Blind | App | Company-specific info |
| Posts | Search "LMIA" + company |
Red Flags: Companies That Don't Sponsor
Some companies explicitly don't sponsor new hires:
| Company | Policy | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Veeva Systems | No sponsorship | Need existing work auth |
| Atlassian (Canada) | PGWP OK, no direct sponsor | Use PGWP window |
| Many startups | Case-by-case | Often prefer PR/citizens |
| Government/Crown | Varies | Often require citizenship |
How to check: Look at job postings for phrases like: - "Must be eligible to work in Canada" - "No visa sponsorship available" - "Canadian citizens or permanent residents only"
The LMIA Process (Employer Perspective)
Understanding what employers go through helps explain reluctance:
Standard LMIA Requirements:
- Advertise the position for 4+ weeks in Canada
- Interview Canadian candidates first
- Prove no qualified Canadians available
- Pay prevailing wage or higher
- Submit application with supporting docs
- Pay LMIA fee (CA$1,000 per position)
Why Some Companies Avoid It:
- Time: 3-6 months for regular LMIA
- Cost: CA$1,000 fee + legal costs (often CA$3,000-5,000)
- Risk: Application can be denied
- Complexity: Documentation requirements
Why Big Tech Does It:
- GTS makes it fast (2-3 weeks)
- Large HR/legal teams handle paperwork
- Talent pool is worth the investment
- Often have designated recruiters for international hiring
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) with Tech Streams
Many provinces have fast-track immigration for tech workers:
| Province | Program | Processing | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC | BC PNP Tech | Fast-track | 29 priority occupations |
| Ontario | OINP Tech Draw | Express Entry aligned | Toronto hub |
| Alberta | AINP Tech Pathway | Fast-track | Calgary/Edmonton growing |
| Quebec | PEQ/PSTQ | Complex | Montreal AI hub |
BC PNP Tech (Most Popular)
Eligible occupations include: - Software developers - Computer programmers - Web developers - Data scientists - IT project managers
Benefit: Applications processed as a priority (typically faster than regular PNP).
Source: BC PNP Tech
Strategy: Getting Sponsored
1. Timing Your Search
| Your Status | Best Strategy |
|---|---|
| International student | Get PGWP, work 1+ year, then use experience for PR |
| PGWP holder | Apply to jobs normally, disclose PGWP status |
| Outside Canada | Target companies with GTS/LMIA history |
2. How to Ask About Sponsorship
In your application: Don't lead with visa questions. Demonstrate value first.
After interview success:
"I'm excited about this opportunity. I should mention that I'm currently on a PGWP valid until [date] and am exploring PR pathways. Is there flexibility around work authorization support as I continue through the process?"
If asked about status: Be honest but frame positively:
"I have work authorization through my PGWP until [date], and I'm pursuing permanent residency through Express Entry. I'm committed to building my career in Canada long-term."
3. Increase Your Odds
| Factor | Impact | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| In-demand skills | High | AI/ML, Cloud, Security |
| Experience level | High | 2-3 YoE more likely than new grad |
| Location flexibility | Medium | Smaller cities = less competition |
| Timing | Medium | Apply during growth periods |
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Work permit → PR is the common path:
Express Entry (Federal)
- CRS Score: Points-based (age, education, language, experience)
- STEM Draws: Recent draws target tech occupations
- Timeline: 6-12 months after ITA
PNP → PR
- Job offer helps: Many PNPs give 50-600 extra points
- BC/Ontario Tech streams: Priority processing
- Timeline: 12-18 months typical
Key Takeaways
- PGWP is the easiest path—no sponsorship needed for 3 years
- GTS processes work permits in 2 weeks for tech occupations
- Big Tech (Google, Amazon, Microsoft) has strong sponsorship records
- Public LMIA data reveals which employers actually sponsor
- PNP Tech Streams (BC, Ontario) offer fast-track to PR
- Don't lead with visa questions in job applications
Related Articles: - Companies Hiring New Grads in Canada 2026 - International Student Tech Job Guide
Sources: - IRCC: Global Talent Stream - ESDC: Positive LMIA Employers - CIC News: Innovation Stream - BC PNP Tech - Job Bank Canada TFW - ICC Immigration: Tech Worker Guide 2025