Canada’s hospitality sector, thriving in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, relies heavily on hotel housekeepers to maintain high cleanliness standards. Roles involve cleaning guest rooms, public areas, and handling laundry, with demand driven by tourism and luxury hotels like Fairmont, Marriott, Hilton, and Shangri‑La. Non‑EU citizens can secure these jobs with Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) support, as employers often face local labour shortages. No formal education is required, but English or French proficiency and cleaning experience enhance employability. Salaries range from CAD 35,000–45,000/year, with LMIA‑backed visa sponsorship common for full‑time positions.
Key Responsibilities of Hotel Housekeepers
Room Cleaning
Cleans guest rooms, including making beds, vacuuming, dusting, and sanitizing bathrooms. Ensures rooms meet hotel standards for guest comfort.
Public Area Maintenance
Maintains lobbies, hallways, and dining areas, ensuring cleanliness and a welcoming atmosphere. Tasks include mopping, polishing, and trash removal.
Laundry Services
Handles washing, ironing, and folding linens, towels, and guest clothing, often using industrial machines. Attention to detail is critical.
Guest Interaction
Responds to guest requests for extra supplies or services, maintaining professionalism and courtesy. May provide local information.
Salary and Benefits Insights
Salary Statistics
- Hourly Wages: CAD 17–22/hour (CAD 35,000–45,000/year).
- Overtime Pay: CAD 25–33/hour during peak seasons.
- Location Variance: Toronto/Vancouver (CAD 19–22) vs. smaller cities like Winnipeg (CAD 17–19).
Benefits often include universal healthcare, paid leave (2–3 weeks), employee discounts (20–50% on hotel services), and sometimes free meals or accommodation. LMIA-supported roles often cover visa application fees, making them attractive for foreign workers.
LMIA and Visa Sponsorship Process
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) facilitates hiring non‑Canadians for housekeeping roles. Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove no local workers are available. The Government of Canada’s LMIA portal outlines requirements: LMIA stream info, including:
- A job offer with a minimum salary of CAD 17/hour (2026 low‑wage stream threshold).
- English or French proficiency (CLB 4–5, i.e., IELTS 4.0+).
- Valid passport and a clean criminal record.
- Proof of maintenance funds (CAD 1,270) or employer support.
The LMIA process takes 2–6 months, followed by a work permit application via the IRCC portal. Permits are employer-specific, valid for 1–2 years, and renewable. Visa fees range from CAD 155–230, often employer-covered.
Types of Hotels That Hire
- Luxury Chains: Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La – high standards, greater compensation.
- International Chains: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Westin – offer formal training, visa support.
- Resort Hotels: Banff/Jasper (Rocky Mountains), Whistler, Niagara Falls resorts – peak-season hiring.
- Boutique Hotels: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver – unique guest experiences, flexible staffing.
- Airport Hotels: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International – stable demand year-round.
- Convention Centre Hotels: Ottawa, Calgary – large events increase demand.
- All-inclusive/Heritage Hotels: Quebec Winter Carnival, summer festivals – seasonal opportunities.
Application Process for Housekeeping Jobs
- Find Jobs
Use Job Bank Canada to locate LMIA-supported housekeeping roles at hotels like Shangri‑La, Hilton, Marriott, and the Fairmont chain. Filter job descriptions for “LMIA,” “visa sponsorship,” or “foreign worker.” - Prepare Documents
- Resume highlighting cleaning experience, reliability, and language skills.
- Cover Letter tailored to hospitality roles, mentioning any service-related background.
- Certificates (health & safety or cleaning certs) if available.
- Secure a Job Offer
Connect directly with hotel HR departments or through agencies like Global Hire or Adecco. Confirm LMIA support and clarify contract details (salary, hours, accommodation). - Employer Applies for LMIA
Employers submit LMIA applications to Service Canada, proving no suitable Canadians are available. Interim timelines: 2–4 months. - Apply for Work Permit
Submit LMIA, job offer, valid passport, and proof of language abilities to IRCC via their work permit portal. Processing takes 4–12 weeks. - Plan Relocation
- Budget roughly CAD 5,000–10,000 for visas, flights, initial housing.
- Upon arrival, register for a Social Insurance Number to access payroll and healthcare.
Key Requirements and Skills
- Experience: 1–2 years in cleaning or hospitality preferred, but entry-level roles exist.
- Language: Basic English or French; Quebec roles may require French.
- Skills: Attention to detail, time management, physical stamina.
- Certifications: Health and safety training provide a hiring edge.
Emphasizing How to Get the Jobs
- Build Your Network
Use LinkedIn, hospitality forums, or job fairs to connect with HR or recruiters. - Use Recruitment Agencies
Apply via Global Hire, Adecco, or Hays Hospitality Placement, mentioning LMIA preference. - Attend Virtual Hiring Events
Participate in Job Bank or provincial job fairs featuring foreign worker sponsorship. - Highlight Safety Training
Possessing COSHH or workplace safety certifications can set you apart. - Be Proactive
Follow up on applications, message HR after submitting your resume, show genuine interest. - Apply Across Cities
If you have flexibility, apply in lower-cost cities (Winnipeg, Calgary); mention willingness to relocate. - Volunteer or Intern
Offer to shadow housekeeping staff or help at on-site training events—shows initiative and builds references.
Cost of Living and Budgeting
Toronto/Vancouver
- Rent: CAD 1,800–2,500/month (shared room)
- Food: CAD 300–500/month
- Transport: CAD 100–150/month
Calgary/Winnipeg - Rent: CAD 1,000–1,500
- Food: CAD 250–400
- Transport: CAD 80–120
Total monthly: CAD 1,500–3,000
Initial costs: CAD 5,000–8,000 (visas, flight, deposit, furniture). Hotels sometimes offer discounted or subsidized accommodation.
Cultural and Workplace Integration
Canadian hospitality values teamwork, professionalism, and guest-centric service. Workweeks are typically 35–40 hours, often with weekend or evening shifts. Teams foster camaraderie. Employers provide training on cleanliness standards and safety. Joining expat groups on Facebook or hospitality unions like Unifor (service sectors branch) helps integration. Familiarity with polite greetings and service etiquette improves guest satisfaction.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Many housekeeping jobs lead to PR via Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). After one year of eligible Canadian work experience, you may qualify under the Canadian Experience Class or provincial streams like Ontario’s Employer Job Offer option. Permanent residency offers healthcare, education, and family sponsorship after 3–5 years.
Top Locations for Housekeeping Jobs
- Toronto: High demand in luxury and convention hotels; competitive wages.
- Vancouver: Resort and tourist hotel roles; seasonal peaks.
- Banff/Calgary: Mountain resort hotels and large-scale conventions.
- Montreal: Bilingual roles in hotels, requiring French for some positions.
- Ottawa: Policy hotels and conference centres near Parliament.
- Niagara Falls: Seasonal resort and tourism jobs.
Practical Tips for Success
- Target large hotels like Fairmont, Marriott, Hilton, and Shangri‑La—they hold LMIA licenses and post actively on Job Bank.
- Obtain health & safety training ahead of arrival for competitive advantage.
- Network at recruitment fairs, LinkedIn, and local hospitality meetups.
- Save upfront for urban relocation and Canadian tax obligations (15–25% income).
- Understand Canadian cleaning protocols like WHMIS and COSHH.
- Show initiative by arriving before the season and volunteering to shadow experienced staff—builds trust and rapport.