This information has been reviewed by Maclanders Immigration Consulting, an active RCIC-IRB in good standing at the College of Immigration and Citizenship Canada (CICC), and a current member of Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=86&v=m8_oX7nlo28

Step 1: Credentials

• Healthcare professions in Canada are regulated at the provincial level. Before you can work, you’ll need to have your credentials recognized in the province you want to move to.
• For example, if you’re a nurse, you must get your license recognized by the relevant provincial authority (e.g., the College of Nurses in British Columbia if you want to work in BC).
• Many provinces have matching or bridging programs to help foreign-trained healthcare workers get licensed. For example, BC has "Match BC," which connects healthcare professionals with employers and might even be able to help with credential recognition.

Step 2: Get a Job in Canada

• Once your credentials are being recognized, seek employment with Canadian healthcare employers. Public health authorities in each province are often looking to hire healthcare professionals.
• Some provinces and health authorities actively recruit internationally and may assist with paperwork and the immigration process.

Having a job offer from a Canadian employer is a significant advantage. It can make you eligible for several immigration pathways, especially those under economic immigration categories.

Step 3: Choose Your Immigration Pathway

There are two main economic immigration pathways for healthcare workers:

• Express Entry (Federal)
  • This is a points-based system for skilled workers. Healthcare occupations are often prioritized.
  • Points are awarded for factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, (and, for the Skilled Worker program, whether you have a job offer in hand).
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Most provinces have their own nominee programs, some of which are not points-based. A provincial nomination gives you extra points in Express Entry which will increase your points significantly. Each province lists priority occupations based on local labor needs. Healthcare is almost always a priority.
  • These are pilot programs so there’s no guarantee how long they are going to last or what changes IRCC will make later.

Step 4: Apply for a Work Permit (if necessary)