Taxi Driver Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship 2026

Taxi Driver Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship 2026 For 2026, finding a taxi driver job in Canada with visa sponsorship is possible but highly specific. Unlike truck driving, which has broad federal support, taxi driving (NOC 75200) is often excluded from major federal immigration streams.

However, opportunities exist through specific provincial programs and regional pilot pathways.

Top Pathways for Taxi Driver Sponsorship in 2026

1. British Columbia PNP (Entry Level & Semi-Skilled)

This is arguably your strongest option. While taxi drivers are not eligible in Vancouver, they are eligible if you work in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia.

How it works: You must secure a full-time job offer from an employer in the Northeast Development Region (e.g., Fort St. John, Dawson Creek).
Requirement: You need 9 months of consecutive full-time work experience with that employer before you can apply for nomination. This often means you enter on a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) permit first.
Key Detail: In this specific region, any TEER 4 or 5 occupation (which includes Taxi Drivers) is eligible.

2. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Target Provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Why it works: This is an employer-driven program. If a designated taxi company in these provinces cannot find a local driver, they can hire you and endorse your application for Permanent Residence.
Status: “Transport and warehousing” is a common sector for AIP, but you must find a designated employer.

3. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Why it works: Manitoba has a history of recruiting overseas for transport roles. While “Transport Truck Drivers” are the main priority, taxi companies in cities like Winnipeg or Brandon may use the “Skilled Worker in Manitoba” stream if they can prove a local labor shortage (LMIA).

Companies & Regions to Watch

Victoria Designated Driver Services Ltd. (BC): This company has been cited in recent reports as actively seeking foreign drivers with sponsorship opportunities.
Associated Cab (Red Deer, Alberta): Recent job postings have indicated support for “newcomers,” though you must check if this applies to overseas applicants or just those already in Canada.
Yellow Cab (Vancouver/Edmonton) & Checker Cabs (Calgary): These are large fleets. While they primarily hire independent contractors (which makes sponsorship hard), their administration or dispatch roles sometimes offer pathways.
- Note: The Alberta Opportunity Stream currently lists “Taxi and Limousine Drivers” (NOC 75200) as ineligible. You would need to apply through a different stream (like the Rural Renewal Stream if working in a designated rural community).

Recruitment Agencies for Drivers

Instead of applying to taxi companies directly (who often ignore international emails), register with agencies that specialize in transport:

Workvantage: Specializes in bringing foreign workers to Canada and handling LMIA paperwork.1
Drivers Overload (Drake International): A major agency for transport roles.
Global Hire: focus on foreign worker recruitment for Western Canada.

Important Reality Check: Uber & Lyft

Do not count on Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash for a visa.

These companies classify drivers as Independent Contractors, not employees.2
They cannot sponsor a work visa because they do not offer a standard employer-employee contract required for immigration.
Exception: You can drive for them after you get your Permanent Residence (PR) or an Open Work Permit through another method.

The “Class 4” License Barrier

Most provinces require a Class 4 Driver’s License (professional license) to drive a taxi.

The Problem: You typically cannot get this license until you are physically in Canada and have a standard license first.
The Solution: Your job offer will usually be “conditional.” You will enter Canada as a worker, and your first 2–4 weeks will be spent upgrading your license to Class 4 before you start earning.

Summary Checklist for 2026 Applicants

Consider “Trucking” Instead: If you can drive a truck, the Long-Haul Truck Driver pathway (NOC 73300) is 10x easier for sponsorship than taxi driving. Many taxi drivers switch to truck driving to get their PR, then switch back later.

Target Rural Areas: Focus on towns in Northern BC, Manitoba, or the Atlantic provinces. Avoid Toronto and Montreal where competition is high and pathways are closed.

Get Your Documents: Have a valid passport, a clean driving record/abstract from your home country (translated), and IELTS General test results (aim for CLB 4 or higher).

Salary for Taxi Drivers in Canada (2026 Estimates)

Most sponsored taxi drivers are hired as employees (not independent contractors) because immigration programs require a standard employer-employee relationship.

Average Annual Salary: $35,000 – $55,000 CAD
Average Hourly Wage: $18.00 – $26.00 CAD per hour
Overtime: Paid at 1.5x the regular rate after 44 hours/week (varies by province).

Regional Breakdown:

Region	Hourly Wage Estimate	Notes
Northern BC & Rural Areas	$22.00 – $28.00	Higher wages due to severe labor shortages.
Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, NL)	$17.00 – $22.00	Lower cost of living balances the lower wage.
Major Cities (Toronto/Vancouver)	$18.00 – $25.00	Not eligible for sponsorship in most cases.

Benefits: What to Expect1

Unlike local drivers who often work as “independent contractors” (paying their own gas/insurance), sponsored foreign workers must typically be hired as employees. This grants you specific legal protections and benefits.2 3 4

1. Standard Employment Benefits (Mandatory)

Vacation Pay: You are entitled to 4% of your gross pay (or 2 weeks of paid vacation per year).
Employment Insurance (EI): You are covered if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP): You and your employer both contribute to your future pension.
Workers’ Compensation: Insurance coverage if you are injured on the job.

2. Sponsorship-Specific Benefits (Program Dependent)

If you are hired through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), your employer is legally required to provide “Settlement Support.”

Settlement Plan: The employer must connect you with a local settlement agency to help you find a doctor, register your children for school, and get a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Housing Assistance: While they do not usually pay your rent, they must help you find affordable housing options before you arrive.
Relocation Costs: Employers in these pilots are not strictly required to pay for your flight, but many will cover your airfare and initial hotel stay (1–2 weeks) as a signing incentive.

3. What is usually NOT included

Free Housing: You must pay for your own apartment (approx. $1,000–$1,500/month for a 1-bedroom in rural areas).
License Fees: You typically pay for your own driver’s license upgrade (Class 4) and medical exams (approx. $150–$300 total).

How To Apply

Apply Now

Conclusion: Is it Worth It?

Yes, if you target the right region. Applying for taxi jobs in Toronto or Vancouver is a waste of time; these cities have a surplus of drivers (Uber/Lyft) and no sponsorship pathways.

The “Golden Route” for 2026: Your best chance is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Why? Small towns in Manitoba, Northern Ontario, and Nova Scotia are desperate for reliable transport services and cannot find locals.
The Trade-off: You will likely work night shifts or weekends in cold climates, but you gain a direct pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) that few other low-skilled jobs offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I bring my family with me?

Yes. If you are sponsored under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), your spouse and dependent children can usually accompany you. Your spouse may be eligible for an Open Work Permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.

2. Do I need a special license before I apply?

You generally need a valid regular license (Class 5 equivalent) from your home country and a clean driving record.

The Catch: You cannot get the required Canadian commercial license (Class 4) until you are physically in Canada.
The Process: You arrive on a work permit →→ take a knowledge test →→ upgrade to Class 4 →→ start driving passengers. Your employer will often give you non-driving duties or training during this 2–4 week transition.

3. Can I work for Uber/Lyft to get a visa?

No. Uber and Lyft classify drivers as “Independent Contractors.” They do not offer the “Job Offer Letter” or employer compliance forms required by Immigration Canada (IRCC) to sponsor a work visa.

4. How much experience do I need?

Most programs require 1 to 2 years of verifiable commercial driving experience. You will need reference letters from previous employers proving you worked full-time as a driver.

5. Is there an age limit?

There is no strict age limit for the work permit itself, but “age” affects your points score for Permanent Residence. Applicants between 21 and 45 years old have the best chance of securing PR after their sponsorship ends.

6. Who pays for the car and gas?

Since sponsored workers are “employees,” the company usually provides the vehicle, insurance, and maintenance.

Gas: In some company models, you pay for your own gas; in others, the company pays. Clarify this in your interview, as it significantly impacts your net income.

Taxi Driver Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship 2026