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Your Guide to Immigrating to Canada as an Internationally Trained Nurse

  • Writer: Allan Gomes
    Allan Gomes
  • Nov 8, 2024
  • 6 min read

Updated: Nov 24, 2024



Immigrate to Canada as an Internationally Trained Nurse

Canada is facing a critical shortage of nurses, opening doors for internationally trained nurses (ITNs) to build fulfilling careers in the country's robust healthcare system. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key aspects of immigrating to Canada as an ITN, focusing on general immigration pathways and requirements.


Why Canada?


Canada offers numerous advantages for nurses:


  • High demand: A rapidly aging population and increasing healthcare needs have created a significant demand for qualified nurses across the country.


  • Competitive salaries: Nurses in Canada earn competitive salaries and enjoy excellent benefits packages.


  • High quality of life: Canada consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices, offering a safe, welcoming environment with excellent education and healthcare systems.


  • Multicultural society: Canada embraces diversity, making it a welcoming place for newcomers from all over the world.


  • Career advancement opportunities: Canadian healthcare provides various opportunities for specialization, further education, and career growth.


Pathways to Immigration for Nurses


There are several pathways for internationally trained nurses to immigrate to Canada:


1. Express Entry System


Express Entry is the primary pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. It manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs:  


  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This program is designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience. For nurses, the FSWP is the most relevant program.


  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This program is for skilled tradespeople with foreign work experience.


  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for skilled workers with Canadian work experience.


Here's how Express Entry works:


  1. Create an online profile: You'll need to create an online profile providing information about your skills, education, work experience, language abilities, and other factors.


  2. Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: Based on your profile, you'll receive a CRS score. This score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool of candidates.


  3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): The Canadian government regularly conducts draws from the Express Entry pool, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.


  4. Submit your application: If you receive an ITA, you'll have a limited time to submit a complete application with all required documents.


Eligibility Requirements for Express Entry (FSWP):


  • Work experience: At least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the past 10 years in an eligible occupation (NOC 3012 for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses).


  • Language proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada) and achieving the minimum required scores.


  • Education: You need an educational credential assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign nursing education is equivalent to a Canadian degree.


  • Admissibility: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you must pass security and medical checks and meet other requirements.


2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)


Each Canadian province and territory (except Quebec) has its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These programs allow provinces to nominate individuals who meet their specific needs and priorities. Many PNPs have streams specifically designed for healthcare workers, including nurses.


Here's how PNPs generally work:


  1. Research provincial programs: Explore the PNP websites of different provinces to find programs that align with your qualifications and needs. See the list below for links to each province's PNP website.


  2. Meet program requirements: Each PNP has its own set of eligibility criteria, which may include work experience, language proficiency, education, and connection to the province.


  3. Apply to the province: You'll need to apply to the province directly, either through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system or a paper-based application.


  4. Receive a provincial nomination: If your application is successful, you'll receive a provincial nomination certificate.


  5. Apply for permanent residence: With a provincial nomination, you can apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).


Eligibility Requirements for PNPs:


  • Vary by province: Each PNP has its own specific eligibility requirements.


  • Often require a connection to the province: This could include a job offer, previous work experience, education, or family ties in the province.


  • Language proficiency, education, and work experience: Similar to Express Entry, PNPs generally require language proficiency, education, and work experience in your nursing field.


Provincial PNP Websites:


3. Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)


Quebec has its own immigration system separate from the federal government. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is the main pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Quebec.


Here's how the QSWP works:


  1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): You'll need to submit an EOI through the Arrima portal, providing information about your skills, education, work experience, language abilities, and other factors.


  2. Receive an invitation to apply: The Quebec government regularly invites candidates from the Arrima pool to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).


  3. Apply for a CSQ: If you receive an invitation, you'll need to submit a complete application with all required documents.


  4. Apply for permanent residence: Once you obtain a CSQ, you can apply for permanent residence through IRCC.


Eligibility Requirements for QSWP:


  • Points-based system: The QSWP uses a points-based system to assess candidates. Points are awarded for factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, age, and family in Quebec.


  • French language proficiency: While knowledge of French is not mandatory, it is highly valued and can significantly increase your chances of being selected.


  • Education and work experience: You'll need to have a qualifying education and work experience in your nursing field.


Immigration Process Timeline


The processing time for immigration applications can vary depending on several factors, including:


  • Immigration program: Different programs have different processing times.


  • Completeness of application: Ensuring your application is complete and accurate can help expedite the process.


  • Volume of applications: Processing times can be affected by the overall volume of applications being processed by IRCC.


  • Security and background checks: The time it takes to complete security and background checks can vary.


Estimated processing times:


  • Express Entry: IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within six months.


  • Provincial Nominee Programs: Processing times for PNPs can vary significantly depending on the province and the specific program.


  • Quebec Skilled Worker Program: Processing times for the QSWP can also vary.


It's crucial to be patient and prepared for potential delays in the immigration process. Staying organized, responding promptly to requests for information, and seeking professional guidance when needed can help ensure a smoother process.


Cost of Immigrating to Canada


Immigrating to Canada involves various costs, including:


  • Application fees: Fees for permanent residence applications, processing fees, and right of permanent residence fees.


  • Language tests: Fees for taking approved language tests like IELTS or CELPIP.


  • Educational credential assessment: Fees for obtaining an ECA report.


  • Medical examinations: Fees for completing the required medical examination.


  • Biometrics: Fees for providing biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).


  • Police certificates: Fees for obtaining police certificates from all countries where you have lived.


  • Travel expenses: Costs associated with traveling to Canada, including flights, accommodation, and transportation.


  • Settlement funds: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after arriving in Canada.


Approximate cost breakdown:


  • Government processing fees: CAD $1,365 for the principal applicant (additional fees for spouse and dependents)


  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD $515 per person


  • Language tests: CAD $250 - $350


  • ECA: CAD $200 - $300


  • Medical examination: Varies depending on the clinic


  • Biometrics: CAD $85 per person


  • Police certificates: Varies depending on the country


  • It's important to budget for these costs and factor them into your immigration planning.


Bringing Your Family


Yes, you can bring your family with you when you immigrate to Canada as a nurse. You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application for permanent residence.


Requirements for family members:


  • Spouse/common-law partner: Must meet the definition of a spouse or common-law partner under Canadian immigration law.


  • Dependent children: Must be under the age of 22 and unmarried. There are some exceptions for dependent children over the age of 22.


  • Your family members will need to meet admissibility requirements, including medical examinations and security checks.


Job Prospects and In-Demand Provinces


  • Excellent job prospects: Canada has a strong need for nurses, and the job outlook for this profession is excellent.


  • Various work settings: Nurses can find employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health centers, private clinics


A Message from Your Immigration Hub


Feeling lost in the maze of immigration paperwork and procedures?


You don't have to be. Our experienced team has helped immigrants just like you achieve their dreams of settling in Canada or the US.


We stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and best practices to provide you with the most accurate and reliable information. With our support, you can confidently navigate the complexities of immigration and focus on building your future.


We are here to help. Reach out to us today to explore your options.


 
 
 

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