Canada PR Process for Cooks (NOC 63200): Salaries, Immigration Pathways

Why Cooks Are Truly Vital in Canada

Let’s face it—Canada isn’t just highways, skyscrapers, or tech jobs. Someone has to keep people fed. And that someone? Skilled cooks. From busy restaurants and bustling hospitals to schools and care homes, cooks make sure meals are ready, safe, and delicious every single day.

Right now, the demand is massive. We’re talking apprentice cooks, licensed cooks, short order cooks, grill cooks, dietary cooks, hospital cooks, and institutional cook. Why the surge? Population growth, labor shortages, and post-pandemic dining recovery are stretching Canada’s kitchens thin.

And here’s the thing—you might think it’s all about following recipes. Not quite. Imagine preparing hundreds of hospital meals on a tight schedule, juggling dietary restrictions, and keeping everything safe and tasty. It’s chaotic, challenging, and yes—extremely rewarding. That’s why Canada values skilled cooks so much.

What is NOC 63200: Cooks

Cooks fall under NOC 63200, classified as TEER 3—a skilled trade requiring training, apprenticeship, or certification rather than a university degree.

Here’s what it covers:

• Restaurant and hotel cooks
• Hospital and institutional cooks
• Short order cooks

Quick distinction: Cooks aren’t chefs. Chefs design menus and oversee teams (TEER 2). Cooks focus on meal prep, consistency, and food safety. Many licensed or journeyman/woman cooks complete apprenticeships or trade certifications, ensuring they meet Canada’s high culinary standards.

Now here’s the kicker—being a cook isn’t just about recipes. You’re problem-solving constantly. Orders pile up, ingredients run low, equipment breaks—but you adapt and keep the kitchen running. That’s what makes skilled cooks so indispensable.

Job Roles & Duties

So, what’s a day in the life of a cook? Let’s break it down.

Core responsibilities:

• Prepare and cook meals according to recipes and menus
• Plan ingredients and manage kitchen inventory
• Ensure food safety and hygiene
• Adjust meals for dietary requirements

Specialized roles:

• Grill cooks: Master barbecues, grills, and high-volume cooking stations
• Dietary cooks: Prepare nutritious meals for hospitals or care homes
• Hospital & institutional cooks: Large-scale meal prep for hospitals, schools, and care facilities
• Short order cooks: Fast-paced restaurants, diners, and cafes

Kitchens are unpredictable. Equipment fails. Rush orders come in. But skilled cooks thrive in that chaos, turning pressure into perfectly plated meals.

Provincial Salaries & Vacancies

Here’s a realistic snapshot of cook salaries across Canada:

Provinces like Alberta, BC, and Ontario tend to pay more, especially for licensed cooks or those with hospital/institutional experience.

Future Needs & Demand

Here’s the reality: cooks are needed now—and that won’t change anytime soon.

• Aging workforce: Many skilled cooks are retiring.
• Restaurant recovery post-pandemic: Restaurants and resorts are hiring aggressively.
• Healthcare & institutions: Hospitals and care homes require licensed cooks to meet nutrition standards.
• Immigration planning 2025–2027: Canada prioritizes hospitality roles like cooks for PR.

Licensed, hospital, and institutional cooks are in high demand. Even apprentices and short order cooks can enter, gain experience, and transition to permanent residency.

Express Entry Draws for Cooks (NOC 63200)

Cooks are classified under TEER 3, making them eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Express Entry. While IRCC does not always release draw results by specific NOCs, Cooks are consistently covered in Category-based draws for Trade Occupations.

Recent Express Entry Draws for Trade Occupations

Key Insight: CRS cut-offs for trade draws are generally lower, giving Cooks (NOC 63200) a realistic chance at PR compared to general draws.

PNP Draws for Cooks (NOC 63200)

Cooks are in high demand across Canada due to shortages in the hospitality and food service industry. Many provinces specifically target this occupation through their PNPs.

Provincial Nominee Program Highlights

Immigration Pathways

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Express Entry:

• FSWP: For foreign-trained cooks with skilled experience
• CEC: For cooks already working in Canada

PNPs:

• Employer Job Offer streams for hospitality & healthcare
• Skilled Worker streams for NOC 63200

Regional Programs:

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) → hospitality-focused in Atlantic provinces
• Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) → small towns with high demand

A job offer makes a huge difference, especially for apprentices and short order cooks.

From Temporary Resident (TR) to PR

Most cooks start on temporary work permits:

• LMIA-backed permits from restaurants, hotels, or hospitals
• Apprentices can train while gaining Canadian experience

Once you’ve got Canadian experience, you can move to PR via:

• PNP nomination
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

For apprentices, this is often the most realistic route to permanent residency.

Required Documents & Fees

You’ll need:

• Trade certification/apprenticeship records (for licensed or journeyman/woman cooks)
• ECA for foreign credentials
• Language test: IELTS or CELPIP (CLB 4–5 is enough for TEER 3)
• Other essentials: biometrics, police clearance, medicals
• PR fees: CAD $1,365 for the main applicant

Conclusion & Tips

Let’s be real—Canada needs skilled cooks, and your experience is valued. To maximize chances:

• Target provinces with shortages: Alberta, BC, Ontario
• Highlight specialized experience: hospital, institutional, dietary
• Consider Canadian Red Seal certification to strengthen your PR application
• Monitor PNP streams and employer job offers in hospitality

With the right experience and preparation, moving to Canada as a cook isn’t just a dream—it’s very achievable.

Ready to take your culinary career to Canada?
We can guide you through Express Entry, PNPs, and work permit pathways, helping you secure PR and start your new life.

Useful Links

• Government of Canada – NOC 63200
• Express Entry – IRCC
• Provincial Nominee Programs
• Red Seal Program – Skilled Trades Canada