How a Nurse can Immigrate to Canada? - Complete guide
Guide to Immigrating to Canada as a Medical Nurse
Nurses are integral to Canada’s healthcare system. The pandemic has intensified the shortage of skilled nurses across the country and consequently, the demand for internationally educated nurses has never been higher.
Whether you recently qualified as a nurse abroad or have several years of nursing experience, immigrating to Canada can unlock a wide range of opportunities.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
Reasons to move to Canada as a nurse
As an internationally trained nurse, settling in Canada can be an attractive opportunity for various reasons, including:
Shortage of skilled nurses in Canada
According to the government’s Job Bank, labour shortages in nursing will continue for the foreseeable future. Estimates show that, between 2019 and 2028, there will be 191,100 job openings for registered nurses (RNs) but only 154,600 qualified candidates (including new graduates and newcomers) to fill these positions, creating a nationwide shortfall of 36,500 registered nurses. Between 2019 and 2021, job vacancies for registered nurses and nurse aids and patient service associates in Canada have nearly doubled.
Nursing is an in-demand job in most provinces
Nurses are in demand in most provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. Active efforts are underway to recruit and train nurses, as well as to make it easier for internationally educated nurses to immigrate to Canada.
Ontario, for instance, allocated $342 million in its 2021 provincial budget to add 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses to its healthcare workforce. Similarly, Quebec plans to recruit 1,000 foreign-trained Francophone nurses by 2023.
Nurses earn high salaries in Canada
Although nursing salaries vary based on province and the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code your occupation falls under, nursing jobs in Canada generally pay well. The median income for registered nurses in Canada is around $76,000 per year, but many RNs earn as much as $92,000 per year.
Does Canada accept foreign nurses?
Internationally educated nurses are essential in keeping Canada’s healthcare system running smoothly. Several Canadian immigration programs prioritize the selection of newcomers in in-demand occupations, such as nursing, for permanent residence (PR).
However, before you move to Canada as a nurse and start looking for jobs, you must be licensed in the province you intend to work in. Most provinces allow you to start the licensing process remotely, allowing foreign nurses to enter the job market sooner.
Immigration programs for internationally qualified nurses
Canada allows newcomers with the skills and qualifications needed to bridge critical skill gaps to apply for permanent residence. There are several PR programs you can choose from to move to Canada as a nurse.
1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program
The Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program allows internationally qualified skilled workers to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Under the FSW program, applicants are selected based on their profile’s Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) rather than occupation.
Your CRS score is based on factors such as your age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. You also get additional points if you have a Canadian job offer, a provincial nomination,(see below section on PNP) or Canadian work experience or educational credentials.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
All Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, have Provincial Nominee Programs that allow them to nominate applicants with the skills and qualifications needed to bridge labour shortages.
Selection for Express Entry PNP streams is based on CRS scores, but other PNP streams allow provinces to nominate skilled workers in specific professions or National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes to meet urgent market demands. You may have a better chance of receiving a provincial nomination from a province that is looking for qualified nurses. See the section on in-demand nursing jobs below for relevant NOC codes for nursing.
Here are some PNP streams and draws you should keep track of as you prepare to immigrate to Canada as a nurse.
Province | PNP streams for nurses |
British Columbia | B.C. Skills Immigration – Health Authority: For nurse practitioners registered with the provincial authority or with a full-time job offer from a public health authority. B.C. Skills Immigration – Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled: For semi-skilled workers in select occupations, such as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, with a full-time job offer in B.C. |
Alberta | Alberta Express Entry: For qualified candidates from the Express Entry pool. |
Ontario | Express Entry Human Capital Priorities: For skilled workers with Express Entry profiles and required work experience, education, and language skills. OINP Employer Job Offer – In-Demand Skills: For skilled foreign workers with a job offer with an Ontario employer in a specific in-demand occupation (such as nursing). Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker: For bilingual skilled workers with Express Entry profiles, required work experience, and qualifications. |
Manitoba | Skilled Workers in Manitoba: For skilled workers with a long-term, full-time job in Manitoba, who have been working with that employer for at least six months. Skilled Workers Overseas: For experienced foreign workers with skills needed in the local labour market and an established connection to the province. |
Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Express Entry Labour Market Priorities: For foreign workers in the Express Entry system who meet Nova Scotia’s labour market needs. Separate draws for registered nurses are common under this stream. Skilled Worker Stream: For foreign skilled workers and recent graduates with work experience and a full-time job offer in Nova Scotia. Occupations in Demand: For internationally qualified applicants with at least one year of work experience and a full-time in-demand job in Nova Scotia. The in-demand occupation list for this stream includes nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates. |
New Brunswick | Skilled Workers Stream: For foreign workers with skills, education, and work experience needed in the local labour market and a full-time job offer. |
Saskatchewan | International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer: For highly skilled foreign workers with a job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (previously skill type 0 or skill level A or B) occupation from a Saskatchewan employer. Saskatchewan Experience Health Professionals: For skilled nurses, physicians, and health professionals who’ve been working full-time in Saskatchewan for at least six months on a valid work permit. International Skilled Worker – Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot: For entry-level or intermediate skilled workers in high-demand occupations with a job offer in Saskatchewan. The in-demand occupations list includes nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates. International Healthcare Worker EOI Pool: A pre-application where internationally-trained healthcare workers can provide information on their qualifications so the province can identify relevant job opportunities for them. Once you have an offer of employment, you can apply for PR through the International Skilled Worker Employment Offer or Hard-to-Fill Skills stream. The EOI pool is NOT an application to Saskatchewan PNP. |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Priority Skills NL: For individuals with work experience in in-demand occupations, as well as a high level of education and language ability. Nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses are on the priority occupations list. NL Express Entry Skilled Worker: For qualified candidates with a high-skilled job or job offer from an NL employer. Skilled Worker: For skilled foreign workers with a full-time job offer or ongoing employment in NL. |
Prince Edward Island | PEI PNP Express Entry: For qualified candidates in the Express Entry system. Skilled Worker Outside PEI: For qualified applicants with a job offer from a PEI employer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (previously skill type 0 or skill level A or B) occupation. Occupations in Demand: For intermediate skilled workers with a full-time job offer from a PEI employer in a specified in-demand occupation, such as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates. |
Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories — Express Entry: For qualified candidates with an Express Entry profile. Skilled Worker: For qualified individuals with the training, qualifications, and experience to bridge labour market shortages. Entry-level/Semi-Skilled Occupations: For intermediate skilled foreign nationals who’ve worked full-time in NWT for at least six months. |
Yukon | Yukon Express Entry (YEE): For Express Entry applicants who have a full-time and year-round job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. Skilled Worker: For applicants with a full-time job offer from an eligible Yukon employer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (previously skill type 0 or skill level A or B) occupation. Critical Impact Worker: For applicants with a full-time job offer from an eligible Yukon employer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 (previously skill level C or D) occupation. |
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
The Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) allows the provincial government of Quebec to invite applicants who have the skills, training, experience, and language skills to work and settle in the province.
Applicants in all occupations can submit an Expression of Interest under the RSWP and selection is based on factors such as age, language proficiency in French and English, years of experience, education, and more. Once you are selected, you receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (also known as a Certificat de sélection du Québec or CSQ) and can apply for PR with the IRCC.
Note : This list is not exhaustive and, depending on your situation, you may qualify for other immigration programs as well.
Types of nursing licenses in Canada
Nursing is a regulated occupation in Canada, and you must be licensed by your provincial or territorial regulator before you can work as a nurse in Canada. Most provinces allow you to start the licensing process before you arrive in Canada.
There are three main types of nursing licenses in Canada that are based on the level of education and skill required and job responsibilities:
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
To qualify for an NP license, you must have a master’s degree in nursing or an advanced nursing credential with a specialization in adult, pediatric, or primary healthcare along with work experience as a registered nurse (or equivalent). In some jurisdictions, the NP license is considered an extension of the RN license, and applicants must first register for, or be eligible for, an RN license.
Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse
You can qualify for an RN license if you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you earned your degree more than three years ago, you must provide evidence of recent nursing practice.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN, also known as Registered Practical Nurse)
You can qualify for an LPN license if you have a diploma in nursing. If you earned your diploma more than three years ago, you must provide evidence of recent nursing practice.
Depending on the province you apply to, the license names may differ and there may also be entry-level licenses for nursing students or fresh graduates. In some provinces, such as British Columbia and Alberta, the licensing process for Registered Psychiatric Nurses is separate from that for RNs.
British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia each have a single college that regulates all categories of nurses. In all other provinces and territories, different nursing categories have their own regulator.
Visit your provincial/territorial regulator’s website for more information on the licensing process for your nursing category:
Getting licensed by the provincial college of physicians
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you must apply for the applicable nursing license. You must first obtain a report from the National Nursing Assessment Service, after which you must register with your provincial regulator, provide the required documents, and pay a licensing fee.
Although the licensing requirements vary by province/territory, the process typically involves the following:
Getting licensed by the provincial college of physicians
Internationally educated nurses who qualify for an RN, RPN, or LN license must complete an online National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) application before immigrating to Canada. Here are the key steps for registering with the NNAS:
Create an online account, pay the fee, and start your application:
Provide your identity documents:
Submit your nursing education form:
Submit your nursing registration form:
Submit your nursing employment form:
Submit your language test results:
Note : You cannot submit education, registration, and employment forms to NNAS yourself. NNAS will charge a translation fee if the documents submitted as part of your application aren’t in English or French.
You cannot submit education, registration, and employment forms to NNAS yourself. NNAS will charge a translation fee if the documents submitted as part of your application aren’t in English or French.
Apply to register as a nurse in your province
Tip : Most provinces allow you to complete the licensing and registration process online from outside Canada. The entire process, including the NNAS application, can take up to 18 months. Be sure to start the process as early as possible so you can begin your nursing career in Canada soon after arrival.
After completing your NNAS application, contact your provincial or territorial regulator and ask them to consider your application for a nursing license. The regulator will only start the process after they receive your file from NNAS. At this stage, you need to pay an initial application fee which varies by province and nursing category.
The provincial regulator will review your nursing education credentials, evidence of recent practice (work experience in the past three years) and proof of language proficiency. If your application doesn’t meet the licensing requirements, you may be asked to complete additional education or evaluations before you can qualify.
To qualify for a provincial nursing license, you must also:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in Canada.
- Pass the Registration Examination for the applicable nursing category to prove your competency. RN license applicants must appear for the NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure Examination) while LPN applicants must give the REx-PN test (Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse).
- Complete the Jurisprudence Examination to demonstrate your knowledge of the laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines that apply to the nursing profession in your province or territory.
- Declare whether you suffer from any mental or physical condition or disorder that might impact your ability to practice nursing.
- Submit a criminal background check report and declare any past offences or instances where you were refused registration as a nurse in any country.
After you’ve met all the licensing requirements, you can pay the registration and first year membership fee and complete your registration online.
In-demand jobs for nurses in Canada
Many provinces and territories require nurses to meet local labour market needs. According to recent provincial and territorial data,
the following nursing jobs are most in-demand across Canada:
In-demand nursing jobs |
Provinces with the most demand |
Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302, previously 3124, TEER 1) |
Saskatchewan Newfoundland and Labrador |
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301, previously 3012, TEER 1) |
British Columbia (B.C.) Ontario Quebec Nova Scotia New Brunswick Saskatchewan Prince Edward Island Northwest Territories Yukon |
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300, previously 3011, TEER 1) |
British Columbia (B.C.) |
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101, previously 3233, TEER 2) |
British Columbia (B.C.) Alberta Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Saskatchewan Newfoundland and Labrador Northwest Territories |
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102, previously 3413, TEER 3) |
British Columbia (B.C.) Ontario Quebec Manitoba Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Northwest Territories |
Note : This list is based on in-demand jobs data published by various provinces and territories and recent PNP draws. Labour market requirements change over time and provinces may prioritize other NOCs where skill shortages are more acute. Read our in-demand jobs in Canada article series for more information on the scope of your occupation, average wages, and more.
How much money do nurses make in Canada?
Average salaries for nurses in Canada vary by province, area of expertise, and years of work experience. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses earn a median wage of $40/hour in Canada, with median salaries being the highest in Nunavut ($67.83/hour), Northwest Territories ($53.23/hour), Yukon ($45.28/hour), and Saskatchewan ($44.23/hour). In parts of British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba where the shortage of registered nurses is more severe, hourly salaries of more than $50 are common.
Nurse practitioners earn a median wage of around $53.37/hour in Canada, while licensed practical nurses can make between $22 and $33.23 per hour.
How to find nursing jobs in Canada
Since most provinces allow you to complete the nursing licensing process from outside Canada, you can start looking for your first nursing job in Canada before you arrive.
Here are some tips to help you find a suitable role:
Familiarize yourself with local job market requirements
The skills and qualifications Canadian employers look for in nurses may be different from your home country. The easiest way to identify skills gaps and suitable job opportunities is to review job postings for your nursing category. Some job descriptions, for instance, may require applicants to have specific certifications or training to work in a particular field of expertise.
Gather additional qualifications and skills
To position yourself as a strong candidate for nursing jobs in Canada, you may want to invest in additional certifications and skill-building programs. Some sought-after certifications, such as basic life support, CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and first-aid certifications, can be completed before you get your RN/LPN license.
Tip : If you are in the process of applying for your nursing license, you may be able to find work in related unregulated occupations, such as a personal support worker, caregiver, or attendant in Canada until you get licensed as a nurse. This Canadian experience will add value to your resume.
Craft a Canadian-style nursing resume
Resume formats from your home country may not be well-suited to the Canadian job market. The ideal format for your resume will depend on how much practical nursing experience you have. Many Canadian employers shortlist resumes using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), so be sure to customize your resume for each job and include keywords from the job description.