Working in Canada

Legal ways to work there

• Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry): at least one year of continuous paid skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) in the last 10 years, CLB 7 language, an Educational Credential Assessment, settlement funds (CAD 15,263 for one person) and 67 points.
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program: a job with an employer approved through a Labour Market Impact Assessment, usually on an employer specific work permit.
• Job Bank lists jobs, including ones open to newcomers.

Your rights

• Your employer cannot take or hold your passport, work permit or other identity documents.
• Employers may not charge or recover recruitment fees, or use recruiters who do.
• If you face abuse on an employer specific permit, you can apply for an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers to leave and work elsewhere.
• Temporary foreign workers have the same workplace rights as Canadians under provincial employment standards.

Pay floor

Minimum wages are set by each province and territory; check the provincial employment standards office.

Red flags

• Anyone asking you to pay for a job, a "visa slot" or a medical test booking before you have a real written offer.
• An offer without an interview, or a contract sent only by WhatsApp.
• An agent who is not registered with TaESA, or who asks to keep your passport.
• Anyone selling an LMIA or a job offer: buying one is fraud, and misrepresentation can get you banned from Canada for five years.

Where to get help

• Service Canada confidential tip line: 1-866-602-9448.
• Provincial employment standards offices.
• The Tanzania High Commission in Ottawa.

Tanzanian embassy contacts

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official list) and each mission's own website, checked 5 November 2026. Call before you visit.