Here’s a detailed guide about the Canadian immigration process for healthcare workers. The healthcare sector has been facing severe challenges in terms of getting an adequate number of workers. Reportedly, there have been cases where people could not find treatment in Ontario due to the early closure of emergency rooms. This issue might recur as this sector rarely finds enough workers here. This is an alarming problem in the country due to the need for more workers.
The Canadian Immigration Process for Healthcare Workers
The above scenarios represent that Canada is in ardent need of healthcare employees. The following immigration pathways might be the best solutions for foreign nationals seeking to work in the healthcare sector in Canada:
Express Entry Category-Based Selection
These Express Entry category-based selection draws occurred initially in June 2023. The federal government of Canada used this method to focus on immigration candidates with particular Canadian work experience and skills for Canadian permanent residence. The healthcare industry has emerged as one of the chief new category-based categories of the Express Entry draws.
Standard Express Entry draws
The standard Express Entry draws tend to target candidates who qualify for Canadian immigration through any of the chief programs. The Express Entry system handles applications through the Federal Skilled Worker Programs, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the CEC. Additionally, candidates received specific ranks based on their unique scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System. These draws are applicable to all immigration candidates and not specifically to healthcare workers.
However, considering the healthcare sector, foreign nationals who have acquired training to become nurses might qualify for FSWP and Canadian Experience Class.
Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs
The local governments throughout Canada can select candidates most appropriate for combating the labor market shortages and challenges using the Provincial Nominee Programs. All provinces or territories have these PNPs functioning. However, Quebec and Nunavut are not on this list.
Typically, healthcare professionals can access the following PNP streams:
- Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream;
- New Brunswick’s Internationally Educated Nurses Program;
- Saskatchewan’s International Health Worker Pool (Nurses);
- Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream;
- British Columbia Skills Immigration and Express Entry immigration pathways – Healthcare Professional Category
Obtaining Accreditation in Canada as a Foreign Healthcare Worker
Presently, foreign nationals interested in working as healthcare professionals in Canada must first acquire accreditation or a license. Only after attaining proper licensing will they be able to continue to work in the province or territory of their choice.
It is essential to keep in mind that the licensing and accreditation procedures for healthcare professionals are distinct by region. This is due to each province having its licensing authority for internationally educated nurses, or IENs. An IEN who receives accreditation within a particular province might have to reapply for licensure if they move to another Canadian province or territory.
The Accreditation Process – What are the Essential Steps?
Each province has a distinct accreditation process for healthcare workers. However, every IEN must undertake the following standard steps to gather accreditation in the country:
- After arriving in Canada, connecting with the right provincial governing body is crucial. The appropriate institution will largely rely on the particular type of nursing licensing requirement.
- In a majority of circumstances, the second best step will be to undertake an assessment through the National Nursing Assessment Service. NNAS is there to evaluate an individual’s credentials against Canada’s usual standards. In addition, successful applicants attain an Advisory Form that they must attach with their forthcoming application to the eligible provincial regulatory body. However, the three Canadian territories and Quebec must not use the NNAS. Moreover, these four provincial areas possess separate evaluation procedures.
- After the complete evaluation and fee payment, applying to the governing body of the province where you seek to practice should be your third step. This might need additional educational programs mandated by the province for an IEN to fulfill license criteria in a particular area.
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