The pandemic has made the need for nurses in Canada even more critical. To address job shortages in the industry, one solution is to create opportunities for foreign nurses to obtain permanent residency.
Even before the pandemic, Canada faced a shortage of nurses. Since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, federal and provincial governments have introduced various programs to encourage more nurses to join the workforce.
For instance, Ontario plans to invest $342 million over the next five years to hire over 13,000 healthcare workers. In BC, there is a commitment to offering up to $16,000 to around 1,500 internationally educated nurses, covering application fees, English language tests, and educational upgrades. Additionally, Quebec is allocating $65 million to recruit and train nearly 1,000 nurses from francophone countries.
With all these perks for nurses, you might be curious about how to advance your career in Canada. If you’re already in Canada, you might want to know about the available immigration programs.
Before we highlight some of the main routes for nurses to immigrate, it’s important to note that this isn’t a complete list. Canada boasts over 100 economic immigration programs alone. Given that nursing is often considered “skilled work,” nurses may qualify for almost any program with “skilled work” as a requirement.
The NOC code and skill level play a crucial role in eligibility. In the Canadian government’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses fall under NOC skill level A with the code NOC 3012. Licensed practical nurses, under NOC 3233, fall under skill level B.
These codes and skill levels are vital for determining your eligibility for immigration programs, understanding additional criteria for specific programs, and whether you receive an invitation to apply in a provincial immigration draw. Remember these factors as you explore Canadian immigration options for nurses.
Express Entry Programs for Nurses:
Nurses may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These federal immigration programs are managed by the Express Entry system.
Express Entry is an online system overseeing immigration applications for the federal government. Prospective Canadian immigrants submit their profiles, receiving a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Express Entry candidates receive points based on factors such as skilled work experience, age, education, and language proficiency. The candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence in bi-weekly Express Entry draws.
While draws for CEC and FSWP candidates were halted during the pandemic, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced their resumption in early July. Additionally, the processing standard for new applicants is expected to return to six months.
FSWP Eligibility:
To qualify for the FSWP, applicants need at least one year of continuous work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation, which may have been completed abroad. FSWP candidates must also achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all four language competencies: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Furthermore, they must score at least 67 out of 100 on the six-factor test evaluating education level, language skills, and the presence of a job in Canada.
CEC Eligibility:
CEC applicants must have one year of skilled work experience within the last three years, completed in Canada. Those with work experience at NOC 0 or A skill level, such as registered nurses, need at least a CLB 7, while those with NOC skill level B experience require a CLB 5.
While neither program mandates a job offer, having one may enhance the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Program
Even though the federal government has the ultimate authority on who can move to Canada, provinces can recommend specific individuals through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Some PNPs are specifically designed for nurses, while others only require skilled work experience. At times, PNPs conduct nomination draws exclusively for nurses.
Several provinces have more than one program that welcomes nurses. Occasionally, PNPs select candidates from the Express Entry system and invite them to apply for a provincial nomination. If these candidates are nominated, they receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry score. This boost is often sufficient for the candidate to be invited to apply for permanent residence.
Here is a list of some PNP pathways for nurses:
- Ontario invites nurses through its Human Capital Priorities Stream.
- British Columbia offers a Healthcare Professional category under its Skills Immigration and Express Entry pathways.
- Saskatchewan has recently introduced an International Health Worker EOI pool specifically for nurses.
- Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream occasionally holds draws inviting nurses to apply for a provincial nomination.
- New Brunswick’s Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) program is a pathway for foreign nurses proficient in English or French.
For more information, CanadaVisa provides a PNP finder to assist individuals in finding the most suitable PNP for their Canadian immigration journey.
Quebec
Quebec has its own immigration system. While Canada still makes the final decision on Quebec immigration applications, specific programs like the PNP and Express Entry are not applicable in Quebec.
Instead, Quebec offers its Regular Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Program. Nurses may qualify for either of these programs. Both programs require workers to have a working knowledge of the French language.