Immigrating to Canada as a Pharmacist is what several individuals seek in their lifetime.
The practice of pharmacy is subject to Canadian regulations. Additionally, those who want to become chemists must fulfill certain requirements and obtain a license from the relevant regulatory body.
Due to their responsibilities for administering prescriptions, offering medication counseling, and coordinating with other healthcare professionals, chemists play a crucial part in Canada’s healthcare system.
The FSWP (of the Express Entry) and the Provincial Nominee Program are a few of the numerous immigration programs.
By submitting an application to the appropriate immigration visa programs, international students or graduates who seek to learn about becoming a chemist in Canada can significantly benefit the Canadian labor market.
Immigrating to Canada as a Pharmacist – employment prospects and salary
There are numerous employment options for chemists in Canada, including work in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.
According to the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the need for pharmacists in Canada is anticipated to rise. This is due to an aging population and increased healthcare services.
Through specialization and management positions, chemists in Canada can also progress in their careers. Moreover, they can pursue specializations in fields including oncology, pediatrics, and geriatrics, as well as managerial positions in pharmacy operations.
Canadian job prospects
High-demand chemist positions are open for the pharmacy sector in Canada from 2019 through 2028. The Government of Canada Job Bank estimates there will be an astounding 12,500 additional positions for chemists during this time.
On the other hand, 16,600 fresh job seekers are anticipated to apply for these positions. As a result, there is an excess of demand for chemist jobs in Canada. Also, looking for a job as early as possible in the application process would be helpful if you want to acquire a work opportunity.
Salary of Pharmacists in Canada
According to Indeed Canada, chemists can make an average base pay of 146,567 CAD per year in Canada, though compensation may vary from province to province. The average base income for a chemist in the United States of America (USA), Canada’s main rival in the global immigration market, is 174,839 Canadian dollars.
Even though this represents a higher average base salary than Canada’s, the absence of preferential work benefits (such as subsidized housing), longer work hours, and demanding working conditions in the US cancel out the higher salary offer. This is to maintain Canada’s appeal as a destination for immigrant chemists.
Salary varies depending on several variables, including area, practice environment, and level of expertise.
| Province | Average Annual Base Salary (in CAD) |
| Alberta | 160,324 |
| British Columbia | 143,484 |
| Manitoba | 156,486 |
| New Brunswick | 148,919 |
| Saskatchewan | 159,483 |
If you’re looking for work as a chemist in Canada, you might want to consider moving to one of the aforementioned provinces. Pharmacists in metropolitan settings typically make more money than those in rural settings. Furthermore, pharmacists who focus on fields like oncology or pediatrics may make more money than those who operate in neighborhood pharmacies.
Also, you can start making arrangements to become a chemist in Canada once you are thoroughly aware of the targeted provinces. However, you must first know the procedures needed to become a chemist in Canada.
The first step – checking the program’s eligibility and occupation
When submitting an application to a job or immigration program, applicants must do their homework first. They must ensure they are qualified to authenticate the information they have supplied and possess the appropriate credentials.
The second step – have your recognized credentials available
You need to confirm that you have the necessary certificates and that they meet the Canadian-level to meet requirements.
ECA
Pharmacists must get their academic credentials confirmed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Just like many other professions that can conduct their ECA through organizations like World Education Services.
The ECA is used to demonstrate that your credentials are on par with those in Canada. Please take this into account when incorporating your ECA into your immigration strategy since it typically takes eight weeks to arrive.
You don’t need to worry about the Evaluation Examination once you’ve applied for an ECA because you won’t need to take it until you get to Canada.
The third step – figuring out the immigration program for yourself
You must learn how to apply for permanent residency in Canada as a chemist and figure out which immigration programs and categories you may apply under if you want to do so. The following lists some of the most appropriate provincial nominee immigration routes. The pharmacists can take these out of the 80 PNP streams, pilots, and programs to Canada.
Immigrating to Canada as a Pharmacist using the Manitoba PNP for in-demand occupations
Pharmacists are on the list of in-demand professions in the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program. You are more likely to get invited to one of the several Express Entry contests since it uses the Express Entry system. One option to submit an application to a PNP is through Express Entry. Without ever using the Express Entry System, you can submit your application directly to the Manitoba PNP for In-Demand Occupations.
You must make sure you speak French fluently because certified French test results are given more weight than those from English tests.
Express Entry FSWP
Your pharmacy license will allow you to immigrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, you must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, including your training, language proficiency, job experience, age, planned employment, and flexibility.
The essential documents
The documentation you require can change and depend on the nation in which you were born or now reside, as well as on your family members and personal situations. Some of the paperwork you could require is listed below:
- Police Clearance certificates
- Biometrics
- ID
- Educational Credential Assessment
- Birth Records
- Language Tests – IELTS and TEF
- Medical exam – held by an approved doctor of the Canadian Panel of Physicians
The after-process includes the following:
If you satisfy the program’s fundamental conditions, your application will be added to the Express Entry pool. When you apply to the pool, the CRS, which is based on the following variables, ranks your application.
- Education
- Provincial Nomination
- Valid Job Offer
- Education
- Age
- Adaptability Factors
- Valid employment offer
British Columbia PNP for Healthcare workers
Consider submitting an application through British Columbia PNP for Healthcare Professionals if you are a clinical chemist.
To get started, you must submit an online application through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). It is the Government of British Columbia and apply as a healthcare professional. You should do this with the assistance of your immigration specialist. This program’s requirements are:
- Possess a genuine employment offer from a company based in British Columbia;
- Achieve Express Entry eligibility for one of the three federal programs;
- Be able to continue working in your existing professions;
- Possess a minimum of two years of legal experience working as a clinical chemist; and
- Meet the minimal language criteria (minimum level 4 for Canadian Language Benchmark or National Core Language Competency (NCLC).
Use an authentic job site to search for jobs
The following are some of the best and most reliable job search engines you may use to find in-demand positions in Canada:
- Jobboom
- Canada Job Bank
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
Before applying, candidates must review the job specifications again and make sure they can meet them.
Finally, ensure that all supporting documentation is in order and that you continue to give accurate information. If you don’t, processing timeframes will be slowed, and your application will be rejected.
Immigrating to Canada as a Pharmacist – what are the advantages?
Working opportunities for Pharmacists in Canada will offer the following benefits to newcomers:
- A high-end salary package – The pay for Pharmacists in Canada is among the best in the world for their profession. Pharmacists in Canada make an average base pay of 146,567 CAD per year. However, their earnings can range from 143,848 CAD to 160,324 CAD based on their experience and the province they move to.
- Outstanding Health Benefits – Pharmacists have access to Canada’s subsidized healthcare coverage as citizens and permanent residents. Free MRI scans, physical exams, and other medical checks are included.
- High Quality of Life – The Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.936, as reported in the United Nations (UN) Human Development Report, placed it in the top 15 countries with the highest standard of life. This rating is based on the country’s outstanding records in providing quality healthcare, reasonably priced housing, and a low unemployment rate. You will be qualified for these benefits and the corresponding level of living as a chemist in Canada.
Conclusion
Additionally, Canadian Pharmacists have the option to pursue a specialization in several practice contexts. In Canada, chemists are also highly respected and seen as crucial medical team members. They are essential to ensure patients receive safe and efficient drug treatment. Hence, immigrating to Canada as a Pharmacist will only prove more beneficial for aspiring candidates.
