Migrating to Canada as a Foreign Nurse
It is projected that there will be 60,000 nurse job vacancies in Canada this year 2022, wherein the demand for nurses in the country is expected to continuously increase due to the aging population. Aside from that, the COVID-19 pandemic has also caused the demand for healthcare staff to increase. So, if you are a nurse, and you would like to work abroad, Canada is an excellent option you should seriously consider.
Benefits of Migrating to Canada
As a nurse, you may enjoy the following benefits if you move to Canada:
- Free healthcare services. These are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their family members.
- Free education. Children in Canada may attend a world-class school for free.
- Liberal society. Canada is one of the world’s most tolerant countries, inviting immigrants from all walks of life. Aside from that, religious freedom in Canada is also protected under the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
- Safety & security. Canada is a very safe country. In fact, it ranks 20th in the world in safety and security.
- Diverse work. There are a wide-range of job opportunities, with attractive salaries, for nurses in Canada.
Programs for Immigration
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer foreigners have been applying for citizenship in Canada. With this, attempts have been made to increase the number to around 1,200,000 by 2023. If you want to work in Canada, there are several immigration programs open to you. These include the Express Entry Immigration System, Provincial Nominees Program, and Pilot Program for Immigration in the Atlantic.
Express Entry Immigration System
The Express Entry immigration System is intended for skilled employees who wish to immigrate to Canada.
In order to be eligible for Express Entry, a candidate’s occupation must fall under Skill Level O, A, or B. You are eligible to apply for permanent residence in the nation via the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which is handled by Express Entry.
Some of the requirements include your passport, language proficiency test results, proof of Canadian education or educational credential assessment report, provincial nomination, written job offer from your employer in Canada (if applicable), and proof that you have funds to support yourself in the country.
Provincial Nominees Program
The Provincial Nominee Program permits both skilled and semi-skilled workers to migrate to Canada, specifically those who have a legitimate employment offer from a specific province or territory. With this, you will be “nominated” by the specific province to immigrate there.
It is important to take note that each province has its own list of in-demand vocations to meet the labor market’s distinct demands. You must first make an application if you wish to immigrate to the nation under the Provincial Nominee Program.
In order to apply for this program, you must create an Express Entry profile, which is fully explained here.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program replaced the former program called the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. Skilled foreign workers and international students who graduated from a Canadian institution, who want to work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island) may apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Healthcare staff are especially in great demand in these Atlantic provinces. If you have a full-time permanent NOC C-level job offer or a minimum of one year duration if you have an NOC 0, A or B level job offer, from one of these provinces, you can apply under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Some requirements that you may need are the English or French language proficiency test results, educational credential assessment report, proof of work experience, and proof that you have enough money to support yourself in the country.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the healthcare system as it caused an increase in the demands for healthcare professionals in Canada. With this, you will have higher chances of acquiring a job in the country. Therefore, if you want to work in the country, make sure to have all your documents ready and determine which immigration program fits you best.
Find open healthcare jobs on medpath here.