How to immigrate to Canada as Nurses Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a nurse who wants to begin a new life in Canada? Each year, thousands of healthcare professionals around the world look to Canada not only because of the high standard of living but also for the respect, stability, and career development that the experience of working in one of the most advanced healthcare systems globally offers.

The great news? Canada needs nurses. Be it registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or nursing aides, there has never been a higher demand for qualified healthcare professionals in Canada. However, since you are planning to immigrate to Canada as a nurse, before you pack your bags, you must know the step-by-step process of immigrating to Canada, starting with having your credentials recognised and proceeding to applying for permanent residence.

Process to Migrate to Canada as a Nurse

One step at a time, we shall go through it.

Step 1: Why is Canada the Right Choice?

The healthcare system in Canada is dependent on international professionals. As a result of the ageing population and the increase in the number of people seeking healthcare, nurses are included in the Canada Occupation In-Demand List in virtually all provinces.

There are unbelievable opportunities in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia, where you can earn CAD 60,000 up to CAD 100,000 per year (it depends on your experience and location).

On top of the money, working as a nurse in Canada also implies:

Excellent work-life balance
Complimentary medical services to you and your family.
A way to Canadian Permanent Residency (PR).
The right to quality education for your children.

Therefore,immigrating to Canada as a nurse is not merely a career decision, but it is a life improvement.

Step 2: Eligibility to Immigrate to Canada as a Nurse.

You must first ensure that you are eligible according to the basic requirements under the Canadian immigration programs before you embark on the immigration process.

This is what is normally needed:

An accredited nursing degree/diploma.
At least a year of experience as a nurse (preferably).
Willingness to use English or French language (IELTS or CELPIP to use English; TEF to use French)
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) of an approved organisation such as WES or ICAS.
An authentic nursing license in your country of origin.

Provided that you fulfil the following requirements, then you are already on the right track!

Step 3: Select an Appropriate Immigration Path.

Canadians are not the only people who have only one way to move to Canada as a nurse. The route you take will be based on what you are qualified for, what experience you have and also the location where you wish to reside.

Here are the main options:

Express Entry Program

Express Entry system is the most popular and quickest way for skilled workers immigrating to Canada.
Nurses tend to use a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.

You’ll need to:

Build an online Express Entry profile.
Obtain a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score and this is calculated depending on the age, education, language, and work experience.
Waiting to receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) in PR.

High CRS score helps you to be selected very fast.

PNP is commonly known as the provincial nominee program.

All the provinces in Canada possess their PNP, which focuses on experienced labourers to overcome the labour gaps in the regions and nurses are sought everywhere.

For example:

Nurses are frequently invited to Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream.
British Columbia (PNP Healthcare category) accepts both registered and practical nurses.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program constantly includes nurses on its occupation-in-demand list.

A provincial nomination would receive another 600 CRS points, which virtually ensures a PR invitation.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

This program is a good choice in case you would like to work in one of the eastern provinces of Canada, which are Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

To qualify, you must have a job offer with one of these provinces of an employer.

Step 4: Have Your Credentials verified.

This step is crucial. Before being allowed to work as a nurse in Canada, your credentials are supposed to be evaluated and checked.

You will have to apply using the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) that will test your education and work experience in the field of nursing.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Open an NNAS account on the Internet.
Provide your education credentials, identity certificates, and nursing licensure.
Get an NNAS Advisory Report

You will use this report in the application to the nursing regulatory body in the province where you intend to work (such as the College of Nurses of Ontario or the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives).

Step 5: Obtain a Nursing License in Canada.

After preparation of your NNAS report, you will apply to get a license in your preferred province.

Every province has a nursing body, and there may be some differences in the requirements, such as extra exams, bridging courses, or language competency.

The following are some of the regulatory bodies:

Ontario: College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
British Columbia: BCCNM College of Nurses and Midwives.
Alberta: College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)

Being licensed will allow you to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in Canada.

Step 6: Book Your Canada PR Visa.

Your education, language, and credentials are now prepared, and all that remains is the last step, which is apply for Canada PR visa.

You will use your full PR application with such documents as, depending on the type of immigration program you have chosen (Express Entry, PNP, or AIP).

Police clearance
Medical exam results
Proof of funds
Employment documents

Upon approval, you will receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and start the call and move officially to Canada!

Step 7: Settle, Work, and Move to Canada.

Congratulations! As soon as you arrive in Canada, you can begin to work as a nurse immediately with your current employment opportunity, or it is possible to apply to the hospital network, clinics, and health authorities.

The provincial healthcare organisations also support many of the newcomers with:

Job placements
Housing
Community support services

And the best part? You can become a Canadian citizen after a couple of years of employment and residence in Canada.

So what are you waiting for? Connect with the Best Immigration Consultants in India now to start your journey!