Nurses are in high demand in Canada & there are a number of immigration pathways for the same. Here’s how you can immigrate to Canada as a nurse. 

As a nurse, you might be qualified to come to Canada as a skilled worker via one of the many economic immigration programs at both the federal & provincial levels. 

Well, there are four ways by which one can come to Canada as a nurse. So, let us discuss them in detail. 

Express Entry 

Express Entry is one of the top ways through which one can immigrate to Canada as a nurse. 

Nurses qualify for Express Entry under the FSWP or CEC if they meet the program’s requirements. In order to apply under the FSWP, applicants must have a minimum of one year of continuous work experience in a skilled profession within the past ten years. 

Candidates who meet the minimum criteria/ requirements can submit their profile to the Express Entry pool. Once they are in the pool, they obtain a CRS score out of 1200. Further, the highest-ranking applicants in the Express Entry pool obtain ITAs for PR. 

One of the greatest advantages of Express Entry is that if you are invited to apply for PR, your application can be processed as soon as six months. 

The minimum language score requirements for nurses in Express Entry depend on the individual’s complete profile. Moreover, you need to score a minimum of a minimum of CLB 7 in French or English in each of the following four language competencies to be eligible for Express Entry. Moreover, applicants must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 on the six-factor test that assesses the applicant’s education level, language skills, & whether they have a job in Canada. 

Quebec Immigration 

Nurses might also be eligible for the Regular Skilled Worker Program, depending on their Quebec Selection Grid score. 

Eligible applicants might submit their profile to Quebec’s Arrima portal, which is ranked on the other points system. The Quebec government holds regular Arrima draws, where they invite applicants to apply for permanent selection. 

Provincial Nominee Program 

Another possible immigration alternative for nurses to immigrate to Canada is via PNP. PNPs are immigration programs run via a partnership between provincial & federal governments. Every province in Canada operates its own PNP with multiple streams, but every PNP has multiple streams, and every PNP leads to the same end result: Canadian permanent residence. 

Some PNPs are only open to applicants who are already in the federal Express Entry pool. Obtaining a nomination from one of these PNPs offers you an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing that you will obtain an ITA. 

Many PNPs need some kind of connection to the province operating it like a family residing there or having past experience studying or working in the territory/ province. Other PNPs further address skills gaps in the provinces by accepting skilled workers with experience in professions that are in demand in the province. 

The Labor Market Priorities stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program is only open to applicants with an Express Entry profile who have work experience in specific target professions. The challenge with this stream is that you cannot apply without first obtaining an invitation from the province. However, in multiple professions, this stream has invited nurses to apply for nomination. 

Study In Canada 

Even if you aren’t eligible for any of the immigration alternatives above, you might still be able to come to Canada. As an international/ foreign student, you can build on your nursing degree to advance your career while residing, studying, & even working in Canada. 

Your Canadian education might even help increase your eligibility to immigrate permanently upon your graduation. Keep in mind that Canadian immigration programs change all the time. 

Therefore, it’s vital to guarantee that the eligibility criteria of the existing programs will be the same by the time you graduate. So, a Canadian degree can make a world of difference under the present system.      

Conclusion 

In order to immigrate to Canada as a nurse, it is vital to note that nurses who aspire to move to Canada must comprehend the various available alternatives. Canada faces a really high demand for healthcare professionals, resulting in the establishment of various immigration pathways, like Express Entry, Quebec Immigration, Provincial Nomination Program, & Studying in Canada. 

These avenues grant nurses the chance to work & settle in Canada, thus making a valuable contribution to the nation’s healthcare system. 

Selecting the apt pathway is paramount, as it can significantly expedite the immigration process & help nurses achieve their goals of working & living in Canada. Thus, it’s vital to note that the Canadian immigration landscape is dynamic & the eligibility criteria for these programs might evolve over time.