The pandemic has increased the requirement of nurses in Canada. It is also one of the ways to fulfill the job requirements of the employers and provide a pathway to obtaining a PR visa in Canada for foreign nurses.
Even prior to the pandemic, Canada was struggling with a huge shortage of nurses in hospitals. Since the start of COVID-19, the government of provincial and federal have been adding more programs to encourage them to join the labor workforce.
For example, the plan for Ontario is to invest $342 million in the next five years to hire approx. 13,000 healthcare workers. BC has promised that they would provide up to $16,000 to those nurses who are educated internationally to cover the application fee for cover English language test.
With all these incentives for nurses, if you are wondering how can you start your career as a nurse in Canada. Then here is some immigration program which is suitable for you:
The skill level and NOC code
Nursing comes into each of two categories in the NOC (National Occupation Classification) of Canada’s government. Those nurses who are registered with psychiatric nurses are considered for NOC skill level A and their code is 3012. Nurses with a practical License come under NOC level B and their code is 3233.
These codes and skills are used to determine the suitable immigration program for you and also which other criteria you have to fulfill for a particular program. It also helps you to determine whether you will be invited to apply.
Eligible Nurses Can apply through Express Entry
Nurses are able to apply through the programs such as FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program) and CEC (Canadian Experience Class) which are managed through the Express Entry system.
Express Entry is an immigration management program that manages the applications online for the federal government of provinces. If you want to immigrate to Canada to start your nursing career then you have to submit your Express Entry profile and your CRS score would be higher to get selected.
Eligibility for FSWP
Those Candidates who want to apply through the FSWP must have at least one year of work experience within the past 10 years in a skilled profession. They can complete their work experience in foreign countries. The CLB score of FSWP candidates have 7 in English or French which is based on the writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. Additionally, FSWP candidates need to score at least 67 out of 100.
Eligibility for CEC
Those candidates who want to apply through the CEC must have one year’s experience within the last three years. Candidates must have completed their work experience in Canada. Applicants who applied under the NOC level A must-have CLB score of 7 and those who apply under skill level B have a CLB score of 5.
No need for job offers in Canada to apply under this program but if candidates have a job before arriving in Canada may receive your likelihood to receive an ITA.
PNP (Provincial Nominee Program)
Although the federal government takes the final decision on who is eligible to immigrate to Canada, Candidates are nominated by the provinces through PNP. Some PNPs are specifically dedicated to nurses, others only require skilled work experience. Occasionally, PNPs will conduct immigration enrollment draws specifically for nurses.
Provinces have many programs to invite nurses. Sometimes PNP candidates are invited from the Express Entry to apply for the provincial enrollment for immigration to Canada. Those candidates who are invited for the provincial nomination get 600 points which are added to their CRS score.
There are some PNP routes for nurses who want to make their careers in Canada:
- The province of Ontario invites applicants through Human Capital Priorities Stream.
- The province of British Columbia invites nurses through a specially designed category of healthcare professionals.
- The province of Saskatchewan launched its International Health Worker EOI pool to invite Candidates.
- The province of New Brunswick invites English and French-speaking nurses from all around the world through Internationally Educated Nurses.
- Labor Market Priorities Stream is the immigration program of Nova Scotia to invite eligible nurses.
Province Quebec
Quebec is the only province in Canada that does not conduct PNP draw as well as express entry draw. Instead of these programs, Quebec released its application programs such as the Regular Skilled worker Program and Quebec Experience Program through which nurses are eligible to apply for immigration. Applying for these programs’ applicants should have working knowledge as well as the French language.
