Forklift Operator Jobs in Canada With Visa Sponsorship 2026

Forklift Operator jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship in 2026 offer excellent career opportunities for skilled logistics and warehouse professionals, with competitive salaries ranging from CAD 35,000 to CAD 55,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and type of employer. These positions are available across major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, as well as in industrial hubs and distribution centers. Forklift operators are responsible for safely loading, unloading, and transporting materials, maintaining warehouse organization, and ensuring efficient inventory management. Employers typically provide visa sponsorship under Canada’s Skilled Worker programs, along with benefits such as health coverage, training, and potential overtime opportunities. These roles are ideal for foreign workers seeking stable employment, hands-on experience in logistics, and long-term career growth in Canada’s thriving warehousing and distribution sector in 2026.

Details of Forklift Operator Jobs in Canada With Visa Sponsorship

Key Points

Work Responsibilities

Material Handling

• Move and arrange materials as needed to assist Warehouse Pickers on-site.

Safety Management

• Keep an eye on the safety rules for using forklifts and other big machines.
• Check the safety of your tools and equipment every day to make sure they are in good shape.

Freight Management

• Unload freight from deliveries that are coming in and put things away correctly in the warehouse’s marked areas.
• Put things on pallets so that they can be delivered to customers.

Physical Endurance

• Do hard physical work that requires you to lift heavy things over and over and get on and off of trucks all day.

Basic Mathematical Skills

• Simple math can help you keep track of your collection and move things around.

Safety Compliance

• To keep the workplace safe, follow all safety rules and orders to the letter.

Communication

• Communicate clearly with bosses and team members to keep things running smoothly and take care of any problems right away.

Read Also: Oil and Gas Sector Work VISA Jobs in Canada

Requirement

1. Educational Qualifications

• Most people prefer someone with a high school education or the equivalent.
• Getting relevant trade training or certifications in how to drive a forklift may help you get a job.

2. Forklift Certification

• You need to have a valid forklift operator certificate from a recognized training school. This certification proves that you know how to safely operate and handle tools.

3. Work Experience

• Usually, you need to have worked as a forklift loader or in a similar warehouse job before. Some employers may want to hire people who have at least one to two years of experience.

4. Skills and Competencies

• Physical Fitness: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting heavy items and being on your feet for extended periods.
• Attention to Detail: Skills in ensuring accuracy during loading and unloading operations.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with team members and supervisors.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to address issues that arise during material handling and transport.

5. Language Proficiency

• Depending on where in Canada you want to work, you may need to be fluent in either English or French. Employers often want to see proof that you can speak and write a language by giving you tests like IELTS or CELPIP.

6. Visa Requirements

• Most of the time, you will need to find a job offer from a Canadian company that will support your work visa. The company has to show that there isn’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who can fill the job.
• The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process may be required, which assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market.

7. Health and Safety Regulations

• If the job requires you to run machines, you may need to pass a health test or show proof that you are healthy.
• It is very important to follow the rules about health and safety at work.

8. Background Check

• Depending on the company’s rules and the type of work, employers may want to see a criminal record check.

Benefits

• Dental Insurance: covers costs related to dental care, such as preventative care, restorative treatments, and dental problems.
• Disability Insurance: protects you financially in case you get sick or hurt and can’t work. It gives you money to replace your lost income.
• Employee Discount: Employee discounts are savings on goods and services provided by the company or partner businesses, which help employees save money on their purchases.
• Parking for free: The ability to park for free at work, so you don’t have to pay for parking.
• Health Insurance: Full coverage for all medical costs, such as trips to the doctor, stays in the hospital, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
• Life Insurance: protects your loved ones financially in the event of your death by giving them a big sum payment or regular payments.
• Paid Sick Time: When you get sick, you get paid time off, so you can take care of your health without thinking about losing money.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation days or breaks that are paid for, giving you time to rest, relax, and do things for yourself.
• Store Discount: This is a discount on goods or services sold by the employer’s store or other companies that are connected to it. It saves money on purchases.
• Vision Insurance: covers costs related to your eyesight, like eye tests, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and surgeries to fix your vision.
• Visa sponsorship: help getting a work visa or residency permit so you can properly live and work as a forklift operator in Canada.
• Valid Forklift Certification: Needed to legally and safely operate forklifts, making sure that safety rules and regulations are followed at work.

Visa Requirements

Foreign nationals who want to work as forklift operators in Canada must fulfill the requirements for a Canadian work permit. These positions, which frequently come under NOC Code 73401 (Material Handlers – Forklift Operators), may be sponsored by Canadian firms that are experiencing a labor shortage.

Job Offer from a Canadian Employer

To qualify for a visa with sponsorship:

• A legitimate work offer from a Canadian company is required.
• In most situations, the business must acquire a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate that no Canadian is available for the position and must be approved to engage foreign workers.

3. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify as a forklift operator with sponsorship, you typically need:

• Certification to operate a forklift (such as a Pallet Jack, Reach, or Counterbalance)
• One to two years of demonstrated work experience
• Basic proficiency in French or English (CLB 4+ suggested)
• able to perform manual labor
• Clear background investigation

4. Work Permit Types

A. Employer-Specific Work Permit (Most Common)

• Tied to one job and employer
• Issued for 1–2 years (renewable)
• Requires LMIA from employer

B. Permanent Residency Pathway (Optional)

If your occupation is in demand, you can apply through:

• Express Entry (via Federal Skilled Trades Program)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Agri-Food or Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (in some provinces)

5. Processing Time

• Typically 8 to 16 weeks, depending on:
  • Your country of residence
  • Application completeness
  • LMIA approval timeline

Forklift Operator Jobs in Canada Salary

In Canada, the average pay for a forklift driver is $36,075 a year, or $18.50 an hour. Jobs for new graduates start at $33,150 a year, and those with more experience can make up to $41,216 a year.

How to Apply

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Conclusion:

Skilled forklift drivers looking for work in Canada can find good chances with visa sponsorship. This article talks about the main parts of the job, what the duties are, the perks (like insurance and discounts), how much the salary should be, and how to apply. Canada is a great place for trained workers in logistics and industry because its economy is growing and its immigration policies are friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions