How to immigrate to Canada as a Nurse?

Nurses and other health workers are in greater demand in Canada as a result of the pandemic. Even before the coronavirus swept the globe, Canada had a nursing deficit, and as a result, there are a number of immigration channels aimed at bringing these healthcare workers to the country. In the Canadian government’s National Occupation Classification, nurses fall into one of two groups (NOC). NOC 3012, skill level A, is assigned to registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, while NOC 3233, skill level B, is assigned to licenced practical nurses. These skill levels are significant because they influence the kind of immigration programmes that nurses are eligible for.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class are two of Canada’s most popular federal economic immigration programmes (CEC). It is necessary to have skilled work experience to be qualified for these programmes. A minimum of one year of continuous work experience in an occupation with a NOC skill level of 0, A, or B is required for the FSWP. This experience can be from anywhere in the world, but it must have occurred within the last ten years. A CLB 7 in English or an NCLC 7 in French is required in all four language competencies: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They must also score at least 67 out of 100 on a six-factor test that evaluates candidates on education level, language skills, and whether they have a job in Canada.

Express Entry for Nurses :

Meanwhile, the CEC demands one year of NOC 0, A, or B experience within the last three years in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in all four language competencies: CLB or NCLC 7 for NOC 0 or A occupations, and CLB/NCLC 5 for NOC B occupations. Although neither programme requires a job offer, possessing one can considerably improve one’s chances of receiving an ITA.The FSWP and CEC are run by IRCC utilising an Express Entry tool, which is supposed to process 80% of completed applications in six months or less. To evaluate and rank distinct applications, EE use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates are given a score by the CRS based on a range of factors comparable to those used in the FSWP’s six-factor test. IRCC holds draws in the Express Entry pool on a regular basis, selecting the highest-scoring EE profiles and sending them ITAs.

PNP for Nurses :

Nurses may potentially be eligible for a number of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). There is occasionally a stream dedicated solely to nurses. Other paths are geared toward specific health professions or are open to all skilled employees. Nurses fall into one of two categories, making them ideal candidates for economic class immigration. They are in great demand for two reasons: first, they are in a skilled occupation, and second, they are in high demand. Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) in New Brunswick, Healthcare Professionals (Skills Immigration and Express Entry paths) in British Columbia, as well as Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Program are all options for nurses. Multiple provinces have more than one program that welcomes nurses. Sometimes the federal and provincial programs interact. For example, a province may align some of its own streams with Express Entry. Streams to which this linkage happens are known as ‘enhanced’. If a person receives a nomination from an enhanced program, that person gains 600 points on their CRS score, effectively ensuring they will receive an ITA.