Not knowing where to start, what salary to expect, or the requirements to be eligible as a foreign worker could be a draining experience especially if you’re in search of jobs abroad. So you are probably looking for a laundry and dry cleaning job in Canada and you are in this situation. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This is not one of the many blogs you read on the internet here, I’ll show you practical steps to follow to secure your dream job and perhaps live a comfortable life as a permanent resident in Canada. If you’re ready to put in the action then you may want to continue reading to find out the helpful information to make your dream a reality.
Why Consider Laundry and Dry Cleaning Jobs in Canada?
As a foreigner from a developing country, working in the laundry and dry cleaning sector may not mean much and I say this in terms of salary but the reverse is the case for countries like Canada where there’s a growing everyday need for workers in this field and as a result, salaries are higher.
Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this life-changing opportunity hence, I bring to you some compelling reasons you may want to consider this line of work.
1. High Demand Across Provinces
There’s a high demand for foreign workers in services like laundry and dry cleaning in Canada just so you know what you are going into. The reason for this is because of the country’s aging population. Provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario take the lead as there are thousands of businesses with vacancies for reliable staff.
You can choose to work in hospitals, hotels, or even private laundry services. Whichever option best suits your experience and qualifications is ideal but one thing is for sure and that is, demand for workers is consistent year-round which is a plus for anyone looking for job opportunities abroad.
2. Low Entry Requirements
Let’s talk about the eligibility requirements. Unlike many other skilled worker jobs, you don’t necessarily need a college degree, certification, or any technical skills to apply for laundry and dry cleaning jobs. Now, if you’ve little educational qualification this may be the perfect job route to look forward to as only what may be needed is English proficiency.
Can you speak the English language fluently? If yes, you’ve got a good chance of getting hired even if you are a newcomer trying to gain work experience and probably settle into Canada’s labor market.
3. Road to Permanent Residency
If you’re curious whether working in a laundry and dry cleaning service can lead to permanent residency in Canada, for sure, it can. This is possible under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Supposedly you’re employed full-time in this sector, you may qualify for Canadian permanent residency through programs like Express Entry (under the Experience Class), or regional streams typically targeting essential foreign workers.
4. Stable and Predictable Work Hours
Many job positions regardless of the employer usually offer steady, full-time hours with options for day, night, and weekend shifts. You may be wondering how this can help you in any way. Having predictable work hours can help in budgeting, and also comes in handy in scheduling activities therefore balancing your work and personal life.
This would make more sense if you’ve got kids or part-time studies you juggle or something otherwise that requires your time and attention.
5. Competitive Salary with Room to Grow
This may just be the cherry on top of it all. On average, laundry workers earn anywhere between $15 to $22 per hour in Canada depending on the region and experience. It is interesting to also know that overtime pay, bonuses on holidays, and promotion to supervisor roles are common.
Obviously, the higher your position the more salary you earn, and of course, experienced workers can move up the ladder into management positions or even start their own laundry businesses.
Laundry and Dry Cleaning Jobs Available in Canada
| Laundry and Cleaning Jobs in Canada | Job Role & Description |
| Laundry Attendant | Workers are required to sort, wash, dry, fold, and iron clothes or linens and they can seek jobs in hotels, hospitals, and care homes. |
| Dry Cleaning Worker | Workers are needed for this role to remove stains, press, and operate specialized dry cleaning machines with care. While experience is necessary, it is not always required in some cases. |
| Pressers and Ironers | This role requires workers who can finish garments professionally using steam presses and irons, ensuring brilliant clean work. |
| Laundry Machine Operator | As the name implies, the worker will need to handle industrial dryers and washers. Being knowledgeable about safety and maintenance procedures is preferred. |
| Supervisor or Team Leader | Oversees staff, schedules, and quality control. Previous laundry experience may be required for this job role. |
Whatever job roles you seek to apply for as highlighted above are often available under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program or through Provincial Nominee Programs, especially in specified provinces like Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
The good news, however, is that usually, many openings do not require high education, and employers may provide accommodation, training, and visa support. In all of these, laundry and dry cleaning jobs may not be tough jobs after all since they lead to a stable pathway to work and live comfortably in Canada.
Average Salary of Laundry and Dry Cleaning Workers in Canada
Laundry workers in Canada earn pretty good money. As of late 2024, the median hourly salary of laundry and dry cleaning workers was pegged at $18.00 which is to say wages ranged from between $15.00 and $22.50 per hour equating to around $32,400 per annum.
That said, how much you actually earn depends on the region of the job, your employer, and most importantly your experience level. A comparison between laundry worker salaries in News Brunswick and Alberta shows that workers in News Brunswick earn slightly more than their colleagues in Alberta.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
1. Many job openings require a high school education and some employers often provide 4 to 8 weeks of on-the-job training. While prior experience is preferred but not mandatory as many positions are entry level.
2. Canadian employers need workers who are keen to detail and have physical stamina for lifting, standing, and carrying things as this is a part of the job.
3. Proficiency in either the English or French language or both can boost employability.
4. The worker must be familiar with handling various fabrics and operating cleaning equipment.
5. The worker must showcase their ability to work independently or as a team.
6. Candidates applying for whatever laundry role must satisfy the required criteria including possessing a valid work permit or employer-sponsored visa.
Visa Sponsorship Opportunities for Immigrants
Visa sponsorship in Canada is about an employer bringing a foreign worker to occupy a job role in the country under the Labour Market Impact Assessment. The process usually involves the employer proving that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the role.
Mind you, only in such a situation will an employer be allowed to hire a foreign worker. Two major types of work permits fall under this process and they are as follows:
1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program
As the name implies, Canadian employers can hire foreign talents and bring them into the country to handle temporary job roles through this program. Typical examples of such roles include jobs in agriculture, caregiving, and hospitality.
2. Provincial Nominee Program
This program does the exact opposite of the former. Here, employers hire workers for permanent residence based on local labor needs. Skilled foreign workers are usually needed in fields such as IT, healthcare, and construction.
Say a Canadian employer receives a positive LMIA, you can apply for a work permit using that approval. The job offer may also support permanent residency through Express Entry or PNP streams in some cases. For employment needs to be met, Canada’s visa sponsorship process offers qualified foreign workers the opportunity to work and live in the country.
It becomes much easier to identify real opportunities as an immigrant because many employers list job offers with LMIA approval. So before proceeding with your application always ensure to verify if the job offer is LMIA approved or not.
Where to Find These Jobs (With Sponsorship)
Job platforms like Job Bank Canada, Indeed.ca, Jobble, and LinkedIn regularly list job openings from employers approved for LMIA making it easier to find laundry and dry cleaning jobs with visa sponsorship in Canada.
Using any of these platforms, you can also apply directly for the job that picks your interest and more so target provinces with high demand for the skill you offer. As if that’s not enough, you can read through the job description, roles, requirements needed to apply, and salary on these websites.
You may want to check the information below to know the step-by-step processes to apply for laundry visa-sponsored jobs in Canada using any of the aforementioned job websites/platforms.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
It is one thing to know the various job platforms where you can find laundry jobs with visa sponsorships and another thing to know how to apply for these jobs. The latter will determine if you will relocate to Canada for work or not so you’ve got to put in your all.
Without wasting much of your time, here’s a simple step approach to help you secure a visa sponsorship job in Canada:
1. Search for LMIA-approved Jobs
You want to first start by searching for LMIA-approved jobs on reputable job websites like Job Bank Canada, Indeed.ca, or LinkedIn. Any of these platforms will do just right so long as you can utilize target keywords such as “Laundry Attendant LMIA Canada,” or “Dry cleaning jobs with Visa Sponsorship in Canada.”
2. Read the Job Requirements
Assuming you’ve found a job you want, the next thing to do is to check out the requirements. For example, if it is a job posting in Alberta the opening might say: “Looking for full-time laundry workers. LMIA is available. Basic English language required. Accommodation provided.”
Go through all of the job descriptions to be sure you are the perfect candidate for the job before applying. If the job is for French speakers, you may want to halt and look for an English-speaking one.
3. Prepare a Canadian Style Resume
Many immigrants fail to secure visa-sponsored jobs because of poor resume structure. You’ve to tailor your resume to that of what the job requires; it shouldn’t just be generic. Your relevant experience should be highlighted, for example: “2 years of experience at QuickClean Laundry, Lagos Nigeria.”
You want to let the employer know that you are familiar with the job role and not a newbie. Besides, it is also not a bad idea to highlight if it is your first time if you’ve got no prior experience. In all, be honest with your details and precise to the T.
4. Apply Directly to Employers
Now that you already have your resume ready it is time to apply. Do not apply through an agent but directly to the employer you want to work with/for. More so, you must mention that you’re seeking visa sponsorship so they can discuss and plan your coming to Canada.
5. Attend the Interview
Supposedly your application gets approved, you may be asked to sit for an interview. This is usually done online through scheduled Zoom meetings. For the interview, dress appropriately, be polite, and ask questions when necessary to be clear about the job.
If selected, the employer will apply for an LMIA and after it has been approved, you’ll be sent a copy to use for your work permit application. Meanwhile, to apply for a work permit, you’ll need to provide your LMIA, job offer, and supporting documents to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Voila! This is all there is to applying for a laundry visa sponsorship job in Canada.
Wrap Up
After much is said, here you’ve it! Applying for laundry and dry cleaning visa sponsorship jobs in Canada is a seamless process especially if you read through this article from top up to this point. Now that you know what it takes to secure a visa-sponsored job, good luck with your application, and remember to follow for more immigration updates