How to Immigrate to Canada as a Healthcare Worker
AUG 20, 2021
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KAYLA PETERS
Being a healthcare worker is an important job, even more so now with the pandemic that has hit the entire world. It is a known fact that countries are depending on doctors and nurses to help keep fighting the virus. With that being said, Canada is no different. Even though the cases are significantly lower, the country still needs healthcare workers in several occupations.
Learn how to immigrate to Canada as a healthcare worker and receive the benefits that come along with it.
Programs to Immigrate to Canada as a Healthcare Worker
Express Entry
As being a healthcare worker is considered highly skilled, foreign nationals in this profession can apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system. This immigration system is one of Canada’s largest immigration entry points and is contributing to 332,750 Invitations to apply (ITA) within the next three years. Let us have a deeper look into the Express Entry.
How does the Express Entry system work?
The Express Entry is an online system that manages three federal immigration programs. They are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). After creating an online profile, the government will decide which program applicants are best suited for.
To create the profile, the following is needed:
- Passport or travel document;
- Education credential assessment report;
- Language test results;
- Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if they have one);
- Proof of work experience (if they have one); and
- Provincial Nomination (if they have one)
Thereafter applicants will be put into a pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which will also determine their ranking. Applicants can score out of a possible 1,200 points. Successful applicants will then receive an ITA via the Express Entry draw which happens as frequently as every two weeks. Receiving an ITA means the applicant is able to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
Please note: Each draw has its own unique qualification score that the applicant will need to meet or exceed in order to be successful.
Benefits of the Express Entry program include:
- Processing time as quick as 6 months;
- Unsuccessful applicants will remain in the pool for 1 year; and
- While in the pool applicants can improve their CRS scores.
Healthcare workers could qualify for the FSWP as it is one of the biggest industries in Canada for skilled workers.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
This program is for foreign nationals who can contribute to Canada’s economy with their work experience, qualifications or set of skills. A great benefit of this program is that the applicants do not require a job offer to be eligible, therefore making it an easier Canadian immigration option.
Requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Skilled work experience - have a minimum of one year(part-time or full-time) experience in a NOC skill type (A, 0 or B);
- Language ability - get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities for English and French.; and
- Education - have at least a certificate from a secondary institution (high school).
Another way on how to immigrate to Canada as a healthcare worker is via the Provincial Nominee Program.
Provincial Nominee Program
Canada has a goal of welcoming between 64,000 - 81,500 foreign nationals through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for 2021. The great news is that every single province and territory in Canada has a healthcare occupation in demand. This means that foreign nationals in the healthcare industry have more options in terms of choosing a province to apply to.
What is the PNP?
Canada’s government has made an agreement with the local provinces that enable them to nominate immigrants who want to work and live in Canada, particularly in the said province. Provinces will choose candidates based on their immigration and labour needs. This is why it is important that applicants only apply to provinces where their specific occupation is in demand.
Application for the PNP can be done via two options:
Apply directly to a province or territory
Applicants can submit their application via mail, courier or submit a paper application. This process can take between 15 and 19 months to find out whether the applicant is successful or not.
The Express Entry-linked process
Taking the Express Entry-linked route has two pathways:
- Applicants can express interest through their Express Entry profile; and
- Apply through a Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream.
Healthcare Occupations In-Demand per Province
Alberta In-Demand Occupations List
- NOC 3312 - General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 3113 - Dentists
- NOC 3216 - Medical sonographers
- NOC 3122 - Chiropractors
British Columbia In-Demand Occupations List
- 3111 - Physician
- 3012 - Registered Nurse
- 3142 - Physiotherapist
- 3131 - Clinical pharmacist
New Brunswick In-Demand Occupations List
- 3012 - Registered nurses
- 3111 - Specialist physician
- 3112 - General practitioner and family physicians
- 3141 - Speech-language pathologist
Nova Scotia In-Demand Occupations List
- 3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- 3112 - Family Physicians
- 3111 - Specialist Physicians
- 3233 - Licensed practical nurses
Northwest Territories In-Demand Occupations List
- 3113 - Dentists
- 3112 - General Practitioners & Family Physicians
- 3012 - Registered Nurses
- 3223 - Dental Technicians
Newfoundland & Labrador In-Demand Occupations List
- NOC 3215 - Radiation therapist
- NOC 3233 - Licensed practical nurse
- NOC 3215 - Dosimetrist
- NOC 4151 - Clinical psychologist
Ontario In-Demand Occupations List
- 3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 4412 - Home support workers and related occupations excluding housekeepers
Prince Edward Island In-Demand Occupations List
- 3112 - General practitioner and family physicians
- 3141 - Speech-Language pathologist
- 3012 - Registered nurses
- 3111 - Specialist physician
Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupations List
- 3012 - Psychiatric nurses
- 3111 - Specialist physicians
- 3112 - General practitioners and family physicians
- 3233 - Licensed practical nurses
Yukon In-Demand Occupations List
- 3012 - Registered Nurses
- 3112 - General practitioners & family physicians
- 3113 - Dentists
- 3223 - Dental technicians.
Healthcare Occupation Salaries in Canada
| Average Healthcare Occupation Salaries | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Salary in CAD per year |
| Dentist | $159,051 |
| Registered Nurse | $68,054 |
| Family Physicians | $255,771 |
| Dosimetrist | $72,653 |
| Speech-language pathologist | $102,360 |
| Clinical pharmacist | $108,504 |
| Physiotherapist | $67,236 |
Live and Work in Canada
Not only will immigrants be living in a country that is known to be safe, have a great education system and have one of the best healthcare systems in the world but foreign nationals who work in Canada will have work benefits such as Canada offering the highest minimum wage, paid maternity leave between 15 to 52 weeks long and even free childcare.
Immigrate to Canada as a healthcare worker and start your higher standard of living in Canada!