Several provinces in Canada consider occupations fields of Psychologists and Therapists as in-demand occupations. To work in the mental healthcare sector, individuals applying must understand the qualifications required. All the candidates interested in practicing under the NOC code must possess post-secondary qualifications. These qualifications must equal a Doctorate in provinces such as Manitoba, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The candidate must ensure to receive approval from the regional authorities where they are practicing as psychologists.
Canada has numerous vacant jobs for Psychologists and Therapists with a decent salary range between $100, 000 CAD and $200,000 CAD. Obtaining a job as a psychologist in Canada can let you live a decent and high standard of living.
Canadian immigration as psychologists is possible using several immigration pathways.
The role of a psychologist
Psychologists and psychiatrists have different yet significant roles to play in the mental healthcare field. Within these two occupations, numerous areas require similar dealing with industries, hospitals, and private clients. Even though their responsibilities significantly differ from one another. The routine work may have extended duties like patient examination, talking therapies with them, researching, and licensed prescribing of medicines.
The Canadian Psychological Association holds Canadian psychologists accountable.
Mental care occupations have several forms or titles including:
- Neuropsychologist;
- Educational psychologist;
- Developmental psychologist;
- Child psychologist;
- Industrial psychologist;
Applying process as psychologists
Candidates seeking to acquire permanent residency status in Canada can make their way through Canadian sponsorship and studies. However, Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program continue to remain the most used and faster ways to accomplish Canadian immigration as psychologists.
Express Entry
The Express Entry system under the federal Canadian government is the fastest immigration solution for several aspiring candidates. The three programs associated with Express Entry include the Federal Skilled Trade Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the FSWP. All three federal programs work toward speeding up the application process. Therefore, these have a processing time of the standard six months. The processing time was fixed in 2015 in an attempt to match the immigration objectives laid out in 2021.
The mental care occupation does have several subcategories and Express Entry remains the fastest route to move to Canada as a psychologist.
To attain eligibility for CEC, FSWP, and FSTP, candidates must first create an online profile under Express Entry. These profiles gain a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System. After attaining their CRS score, they are ready to compete with one another in the Express Entry pool. Applicants who receive superior scores receive invitations to apply. The draws are usually held once every two weeks.
However, the evaluation of the CRS score depends upon the following factors:
- Language abilities in English and French meet the required CLB.
- Applicant’s age.
- Education level within or outside Canada.
- Canadian work experience or work experience in other foreign countries.
- Receiving the provincial nomination.
- Having siblings who reside in Canada as permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
- Arranged employment.
- Profile of your spouse (if married)
Enhancing the CRS score
Enhancing the CRS score is possible by attaining educational qualifications, increasing work experience, improving language proficiency, and securing an employment offer in an in-demand occupation.
However, the most drastic way to increase your CRS score is by receiving a provincial nomination through the territory or province. The reason is the acquisition of the 600 additional points you receive through a nomination. Applying for nomination is possible when either the candidate gets notification of interest or he sends an Expression of Interest, provided they’re eligible for that specific stream.
The Provincial Nominee Program
Eleven out of the thirteen Canadian provinces and territories access the Provincial Nominee Programs to meet the shortages in the Canadian labor market. Skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled workers have the chance to settle in a specific province directly through the PNP.
Mental health specialists like psychologists and psychiatrists can access the following streams under PNP:
| Province | Streams |
| Alberta | Alberta Opportunity Stream Alberta Express Entry Stream |
| British Columbia | Skills Immigration – Healthcare Professional Category (Specialist Psychiatric) Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker Category Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker Category Express Entry British Columbia – Healthcare Professional Category |
| Manitoba | Skilled Worker Overseas – Human Capital Pathway Skilled Worker Overseas – Manitoba Express Entry Pathway |
| New Brunswick | Express Entry Labour Market Stream |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Skilled Worker Category |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream Physician Stream (Specialist/Psychiatrist) |
| Ontario | Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI PNP Express Entry Labour Impact Category – Skilled Worker Stream |
| Saskatchewan | International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand Saskatchewan Experience Category – Health Professionals |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories — Express Entry Stream Skilled Worker Stream |
| Yukon | Yukon Express Entry (YEE) Skilled Worker |
Conclusion
Canada is on the track to welcoming more than 1.2 million immigrants in 2023. Consequently, the Canadian government is working harder to keep increasing the Immigration Level Plan to meet the labor shortage need and upscale the Canadian labor market. Therefore, in-demand occupations such as psychologists and psychiatrists can look forward to Canadian immigration.
