A $70,000 job in Canada can feel like a strong roof in a hard storm. Remit can go out. Rent can get paid. Life can get less tight. For many skilled workers, that pay mark is also a sweet spot for a work permit plan, since the role is often skilled, full time, and hard to fill.

This post shows what a “$70,000 immigration job” can mean in Canada, what kind of work permit can fit, what jobs tend to hit $70k or more, and how to hunt for real roles with real paper work. No fluff. Just a clean map.

First, what does $70,000 mean in real pay?

In Canada, $70,000 a year is about $34 an hour if you work 40 hours each week all year. Some jobs run 37.5 hours a week, so the hourly mark can sit a bit higher for the same year pay.

Why does this help? A lot of wage rules and job ads talk in hourly pay. If you know the rough math, you can spot a role that can reach your goal, even if the ad does not show a year sum.

What “immigration job with permit” means in Canada

When people say “immigration job,” they often mean one of two things. One, a job offer that lets you get a work permit so you can start work in Canada. Two, a job offer that can help you move from “temp worker” to “PR” later.

A work permit is not one thing. In plain terms, there are two big types. One is tied to one boss. The other is more free and is not tied to one boss.

If you are out of Canada and you want a $70k job fast, most paths start with a boss-tied work permit. That boss must give you a real job offer, and the offer must fit the rule set. In many cases, the boss will need an LMIA. In other cases, the job can be LMIA-free, but the boss still has steps to take.

LMIA vs LMIA-free: the fork in the road

LMIA is a labour test. It is a way for the state to check if a boss can fill a job with a local hire or if they need to hire a temp worker from abroad. If the job needs an LMIA, the boss must get that ok first, then you use that ok in your work permit
file.

Some jobs can be LMIA-free. That does not mean “no rules.” It means the job fits a rule that lets the boss skip the labour test. For LMIA-free jobs that still need a work permit, the boss will often use the online boss portal and give you an “offer of
work” code to add to your file.

In real life, LMIA-free roles can feel like the fast lane when you can get them. Yet the catch is that not every role fits an LMIA-free rule. So you do not pick the rule first. You pick the job first, then you see what rule fits.

Fast work permit paths that can link to $70k roles

If your aim is $70,000 or more, you want roles that are skilled and in need. Those roles are also the ones that can fit the faster work permit lanes. One big name you will hear is the Global Skills plan, which aims for fast work permit work on some high-skill
files.

You will also hear about the Global Talent Stream on the boss side for some tech roles. This is not a visa you “get.” It is a boss path to hire you with set steps and fees. If you see a tech firm in Canada that hires from abroad each year, there is a
fair chance they know this path well.

Do not bank on speed alone. A fast lane still needs a clean file. One missed doc can slow it down fast.

Work permit first, PR next: the plan that helps most people

A lot of skilled workers use a step plan. Step one is a job offer and a work permit, so you can start work and get “Canada work time.” Step two is PR, often via Express Entry or a prov path.

Why do this? Canada work time can help your PR score in some streams. A job offer can help too. Some prov paths are built on a job offer. So a $70k role can do two jobs at once: it pays you now, and it can help your long stay plan later.

Programs where a job offer matters a lot

Express Entry is a points pool. You put your file in, you get a score, and the state picks people in rounds. Some rounds are broad. Some are in set job groups. The rule set can change with time, so you should treat it like a sport table that shifts each
week.

Prov plans also matter. Each prov has its own needs and its own list of jobs it wants most. Some prov paths can move fast if you have a job offer in that prov.

A job offer is also key in the Atlantic plan. This plan is boss-led. It is built for jobs in the four Atlantic areas. The job offer must be full time and not short term.

Jobs that often hit $70,000+ in Canada

Now the fun part. If you want $70k or more, you need a role that can pay that in your area, with your skill set, and with your years of work. Pay can swing a lot by city and by prov, so treat each pay band as a guide, not a law.

Software dev and app roles

Software dev pay can clear $70k in many parts of Canada. Job Bank pay data shows a wide range, with a mid wage that can sit well past the $34 an hour mark. That is why this field is a top pick for $70k goals.

If you want a work permit role here, you need proof. A clean code set, a live demo, or a small app that runs well can do more than a long CV. Think of proof like a bright lamp in a dark room. It helps a boss trust you fast.

Data roles

Data work can mean data analyst, data dev, and data eng work. Many roles in this space clear $70k once you have strong SQL, a sharp sense for clean data, and a good grip on dash tools.

Bosses love clear work. If your chart is neat and your notes are plain, you look like a safe hire.

IT, cloud, and sec roles

IT roles can clear $70k once you move past help desk and into sys work, net work, cloud ops, or sec work. Some teams hire from abroad for these roles, since the skill gap can be real.

If you aim here, show work that proves you can keep a site up. A boss does not want a hero. A boss wants calm, steady skill.

Skilled trades that can reach $70k

Trades can be a strong path to $70k, and in some places far more, when you have the right papers and the right site work. Jobs like indus elec work can show pay bands where the mid or high wage can push past the $34 an hour line, based on area.

If you work in trades, the work permit part can be tough if the boss is not used to it. Yet many firms do hire from abroad for hard-to-fill roles, most of all when the role is full time and the site work is steady.

If you are in trades, you must plan for lic. Many trades in Canada need prov lic or a “red seal” path. Some bosses will help you start, but you still must do the steps.

Health roles

Some health roles can clear $70k, but this space has a big gate: lic. For a role like RN, pay can be good, but you may need tests, prov reg, and time.

If you can clear the lic steps, health can be a strong long-term pick. It can also fit PR plans well in some cases, since the need can be high.

Eng roles

Eng roles can clear $70k in many parts of Canada, yet the key is fit. Some jobs want a prov eng lic. Some roles do not, but still want strong skill and site work time.

If your work is in mech, elec, civil, or plant work, focus your CV on what you built, what you ran, and what went right due to your hand. Bosses like facts that tie to real work.

Acct, tax, and fin roles

Fin work can clear $70k once you have the right skill set and, in many cases, a Canada-style cert path. Big firms can hire from abroad at times, but they will want proof you can work with Canada rules and tight due dates.

If you are new to Canada rules, you can still aim here, but plan a bridge step. A lower role at first can lead to $70k once you get local time and move up.

Where $70k feels good, and where it feels tight

Pay is only half the story. Rent is the other half. In some big cities, $70k can feel tight once rent and day costs hit. In some mid towns and small cities, $70k can feel much better.

If your key goal is a work permit and a clean start, do not lock on one big city only. A mid city can be the right door if the boss needs you and the rent is sane.

How to find real $70k jobs that can link to a work permit

If you just type “Canada visa sponsor” and hit apply on all ads, you will waste days. You need a hunt style that cuts dead ends.

Start with Job Bank, since it is a state job site and a lot of real firms post there. Then use firm sites for big firms in your field. A lot of big firms have a “careers” page and a clear hire flow. That is a good sign.

When you read a job ad, look for signs that the firm hires from abroad. You may see lines like “open to work permit” or “LMIA may be an option.” Some ads say none of this, yet the firm still hires from abroad. In that case, you must ask in a calm way.

A short note you can send to ask about a work permit

Keep it short. Keep it plain.

Hi [Name],

I saw your job post for [Job title].
I live outside Canada and I can move for the role.
Do you support a work permit for the right hire (LMIA or LMIA-free offer code)?

Thanks,
[Your name]

If they say no, you save time. If they say yes, ask what path they use most, and what they need from you first.

What you need ready before you apply

A work permit file is like a tool kit. If one key tool is gone, the job stops. So get the basics ready.

You need a clean CV that fits the role, with plain task lines and real wins. You need proof of work time, like ref notes or pay slips, when you can get them. You need school docs if the role asks for them. You need a scan of your passport and a clean
list of past trips and past jobs.

If your role is in a field with lic, start that path early. Do not wait for a job offer to learn that you need a long lic step.

Common traps that waste time

One trap is the fake job. If a “firm” asks you to pay a fee to get hired, walk away. A real firm does not sell jobs.

One trap is the “we can do it all” agent who will not say the real job name, the real boss name, or the real pay in a signed offer. No paper, no plan.

One trap is the role that says “$70k” but is not full time, or has pay based on wild sales goals. If you need a work permit, you want a clear full-time role with clear pay.

Amazon gear that can help with Canada job search and permit files

You do not need high-end gear to get hired, but good gear can save time if you do a lot of calls, PDF work, scans, and file uploads. Here are a few picks you can find on Amazon that can cost $2,000 or more, based on model and spec.

A MacBook Pro 16-inch is a strong pick for long video calls, fast file work, and test tasks. It can feel like a smooth car on a rough road. Less lag, less stress.

A Dell XPS 17 can also sit in the $2,000+ band, and the big screen helps when you keep a job form on one side and your CV on the other.

If you scan a lot of docs, a high-end laser print and scan unit can cost $2,000+ on Amazon. That can cut trips to a print shop and help you keep scans clean and sharp.

Top Paying Insurance Companies That Can Sponsor a Visa and Pay to Move You to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or Switzerland

You can have the skill, the drive, and the right CV, yet one hard wall can stop you cold: the visa. The next wall is cash. A cross-border move can cost more than a nice car. Flights, rent up front, fees, a ship box for your life, and weeks of set-up time.
So the real win is a role that comes with two keys at once: visa help and paid move help.

This post is for high pay insurance jobs with visa sponsorship and paid relocation. It is written for people who live abroad and want a legal work route into the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, or Switzerland.

Here is the truth in plain words: big insurers and reinsurers can sponsor visas and can pay for moves, but it is not “all roles.” It is role by role, team by team, and nation by nation. One job ad may say “visa ok” and “relocation ok.” The next ad, at
the same firm, may say the total opposite.

Think of it like a ferry. The ship exists. The ship is real. Yet you still need a ticket for the day you want to sail.

What “top paying” means in insurance

In insurance, the best pay tends to sit where risk is sharp and the math is heavy. The more a firm trusts you with big risk, big books, or big models, the more it pays. If you want the best shot at both high pay and visa help, aim for roles that firms
find hard to fill fast.

These pay bands can get strong in the USA, the UK (esp in the London market), Switzerland, and parts of Canada and Australia. The peak roles also come with bonus pay that can beat base pay by a lot.

The roles that most often link to visa help and move pay

Not all of these fit all people, yet they show where firms feel real pain when they cannot hire fast.

Underwriter (specialty lines) — Cyber, energy, marine, fine art, space, and big property books can pay well. Senior underwriter and lead roles can pay very well.

Actuary (pricing, reinsurance, capital) — This can be one of the clearest paths to high pay and cross-border moves, if you have exams and solid work time.

Cat model / risk model — Nat cat, flood, wind, quake, and model risk. Reinsurers love this skill set.

Claims (large loss / complex) — Think big loss, cyber, D&O, marine, and trade credit.

Risk engineer — Site work, plant, fire, nat cat, oil and gas, and big build sites.

Data, AI, and pricing tech — A lot of insurers pay well for data staff who can ship real work, not just slides.

Reinsurance broking — Big pay can show up once you are proven, esp in London, NYC, Zurich, and hubs like Bermuda.

One key rule: visa and relocation are not “company perks,” they are “job terms”

Many large firms run a global brand, yet each local unit has its own rules. Some roles are set as “no visa” and “no relocation.” Some roles have a full move pack. You have to read the ad line by line and ask the recruiter early.

One global reinsurer, for example, has job ads that clearly state when a role is not open to visa help or move pay. That kind of line is common in the market, so you must scan for it before you waste time on a long form.

USA: the highest pay is real, yet sponsorship is picky

The USA can pay very well for specialty underwriting, cyber, pricing, cat work, and senior claims. The visa path most people chase is H-1B, and it is not simple. Still, many large insurance groups have a long track of filings for roles in tech, data,
and high skill lines.

In the USA, “paid relocation” often shows up for senior hires, niche skill hires, and in-group moves. It may cover flights, temp stay, ship cost, and fees. Some roles add tax help.

USA firms and groups to watch

Zurich (Zurich North America / Zurich American Insurance) — Large US unit, broad roles in underwriting, claims, tech, and data. It has a record of H-1B activity in the USA, which is a good sign for visa odds in the right job family.

Chubb — Specialty lines, strong pay at mid to senior level in key books. It has a record as a US visa sponsor in past filings data sets.

AIG — Big global shop with roles in underwriting, claims, finance, and tech. Some parts of AIG also show visa filing history in US data sets.

AXA XL — Specialty lines and large risk books. Some AXA / XL units show visa filing history in US data sets.

Swiss Re (US roles) — Strong pay in reinsurance and corp risk work, yet many ads can be “no visa” and “no relocation,” so you must pick the right posting.

What to type in your US search: “H-1B”, “visa sponsorship”, “immigration support”, “global mobility”, “relocation assistance”, “relocation package”, “paid relocation”, “corporate relocation”.

UK: the sponsor list is public, and London is a pay magnet

The UK has a clear system for the Skilled Worker route. A key win is that the UK Home Office keeps a public register of licensed sponsors. That list is the best place to check if a firm can sponsor at all.

In the UK, high pay insurance work clusters in London, plus hubs like Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and parts of Scotland for some back office and tech roles. The London market can pay very well for specialty underwriting, broking, and claims in large
loss lines.

UK firms and groups to watch

Chubb (UK) — Strong London market tie. Good fit for specialty lines and claims roles.

Munich Re (UK) — Reinsurance, risk, and a wide spread of roles. The group also talks openly about cross-border work and relocation support for moves inside the firm.

Zurich (UK) — Large insurer in the UK with a wide role range.

Lloyd’s market carriers and MGAs — Some sponsor, some do not. The sponsor list check matters a lot here.

What to type in your UK search: “Skilled Worker”, “sponsor licence”, “certificate of sponsorship”, “relocation package”, “global mobility”, “visa sponsorship”.

Canada: strong demand in some niches, with clear work permit routes

Canada can be a great fit for actuary, data, and some underwriting roles, plus claims in large loss lines. Pay can be solid, and the life style draw is real.

For “visa sponsorship” in Canada, you will often see talk of LMIA (a step an employer may need for some hires), or you may see “open work permit only” lines. Some firms hire via in-group moves too, which can be one of the cleanest paths if you can start
in a home-nation office first.

Canada firms and groups to watch

Aon (Canada) — Risk and broking. Big firm, wide job mix, and cross-border work is part of the brand.

Large life and health firms — Roles in pricing, data, and product can be a fit for high skill staff.

Global reinsurers with Canada hubs — If you can land in a reinsurance team, it can set you up for long-run growth.

What to type in your Canada search: “LMIA”, “work permit support”, “relocation assistance”, “global mobility”, “visa sponsorship”, “actuary”, “pricing”.

Australia: good pay in key lines, with a known sponsor route

Australia runs a skilled visa path that many firms use for hard-to-hire roles. In insurance, the best pay tends to sit in specialty underwriting, risk, and tech, plus some claims roles.

Move pay in Australia is often tied to senior hires, niche staff, or roles in hubs that need talent fast. Sydney and Melbourne are big hubs, yet roles also pop up in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Australia firms and groups to watch

AIG (Australia) — Specialty lines work exists in the market.

Global insurers with APAC hubs — Large groups often run staff moves across APAC when a role needs a rare skill set.

What to type in your Australia search: “482”, “TSS”, “visa sponsorship”, “relocation package”, “relocation assistance”, “global mobility”.

Switzerland: high pay, tough entry, best odds for senior skill

Switzerland can pay very well in insurance and reinsurance, yet work permits can be tight. The best odds tend to sit with senior hires, rare skill roles, and in-group moves from a sister office in another nation.

Zurich, Zug, Basel, and Geneva are key hubs. Reinsurance and large risk work has a strong base in the nation, and that can lift pay bands.

Switzerland groups to watch

Zurich Insurance Group — Swiss-based global brand with roles across underwriting, claims, and tech.

Swiss Re — Major reinsurance brand with a Swiss base, yet you must hunt for roles that are open to non-local hires.

Chubb (Swiss offices) — Global group with a Swiss base in its EMEA mix.

What to type in your Switzerland search: “work permit”, “relocation”, “global mobility”, “B permit”, “visa support”, “sponsorship”.

A “short list” of insurance groups that are worth your time

The names below show up often in high pay insurance work. They also run multi-nation teams, which can make visa and move help more likely in the right role.

Zurich — Strong in the USA, UK, and Switzerland. A wide mix of underwriting and claims roles, plus tech.

Munich Re — A global reinsurance leader with many offices, and it speaks about work abroad and relocation support for moves inside the group.

Swiss Re — High end reinsurance work and strong pay bands in some teams. You must read each ad, since many roles can be “no visa” and “no relocation.”

Chubb — Specialty lines pay can be strong. It also states clearly that visa help is not a promise in all nations and all roles.

AIG — Large role spread and global reach. Strong fit for underwriter and claims, plus tech and data roles.

AXA XL — Specialty lines, large risk, and a global foot print that can help with cross-border moves.

Allianz — Big global brand with a lot of roles in the UK, USA, and Canada, plus a very large base in Europe.

Aon — Risk, broking, and reinsurance work across the target nations. Good for people who like client work and deal work.

How to spot “paid relocation” fast

Some job ads say it in one clean line. Some hide it in HR text. Some only say it after round one. Use this method.

Step 1: Search the job page for “relocation.” If you see “relocation assistance available,” that is your green light to ask what it covers.

Step 2: Search the same page for “visa.” If you see “visa sponsorship,” “immigration support,” or “work permit,” that is your next green light.

Step 3: Watch for hard stops. Lines like “not eligible for visa sponsorship” or “no relocation assistance” mean you move on at once.

Step 4: Ask in plain words. “Does this role include visa sponsorship and a paid relocation package?” Do this early. It saves weeks.

What a good relocation package can cover

Paid relocation is not one fixed thing. A strong pack can cover flight cost, temp stay, ship cost for home goods, fees for visa and legal work, and help with local set-up. Some packs add a housing sum for the first month or two. Some add a school note
for kids. Some add tax help, which can be a big deal in cross-border moves.

Think of it like a bridge over a river. You can swim it, yet you will lose a lot of time and energy. A good move pack is the bridge.

Gear that helps on a cross-border move (Amazon picks over $2,000)

These are not “must buy” items. They are smart buys for people who work in pricing, underwriting, data, or claims and need a fast set-up in a new home.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (high spec) — Often over $2,000 on Amazon. A good fit for heavy Excel, code, and long work days.

Lenovo ThinkPad P-series mobile work rig — Many builds land over $2,000 on Amazon. A strong pick for model work, BI work, and big files.

Dell XPS 17 (high spec) — Many builds land over $2,000 on Amazon. A clean pick if you want a big screen in a thin frame.

HP ZBook mobile work rig — Many builds land over $2,000 on Amazon. A solid pick if you need a work grade build for data and risk work.

How to raise your odds of visa sponsorship in high pay insurance

Show a skill that is hard to hire. That is the core rule.

If you are an underwriter, show a book niche. Cyber, energy, marine, large prop, and trade credit can help. Show loss ratio work, bind rate, and win rate.

If you are an actuary, show exam path, models, and real price wins. Show you can talk to non-math staff in plain words.

If you are in claims, show large loss, time to close, fraud wins, and how you deal with law teams.

If you are in data, show what you built, how it cut loss or grew bind rate, and how you ship work fast.

Where most people slip up

The big slip is to apply to 200 roles with no filter. That is like tossing hooks into dry sand and hoping for fish.

Do this instead. Pick 20 target firms. Pick 3 target job titles. Pick 2 target nations. Then apply with tight aim. Tailor the first 10 lines of your CV to match the job text. Ask the visa and move pack question early. Keep your aim sharp.

If you want high salary insurance jobs with visa sponsorship and paid relocation, you can get there. You just need the right lane, the right role, and a firm that will back the move.

Last word

A $70,000 job in Canada with a work permit is real for skilled workers, but it is not a luck game. It is a match game. You match a skilled role to a boss who can back a permit path, with a clean file and proof that you can do the job.

Aim at roles that sit at or above the $34 an hour line, or that can reach it with time, shift pay, or site pay. Pick a city where the pay can breathe after rent. Ask about the permit path early, in one calm line. Then keep your file neat, so the boss
can say yes with less fear.