OPINION-CANADA VISA | MIGRANT MATTERS: One-stop guide to work, practice as an RN in Canada
AN NCLEX-passer registered nurse (RN) from the Philippines may apply directly as temporary or permanent resident in Canada and be part of the 385,000 temporary residents, or 239,800 permanent residents (PRs) targeted for admission this year by the Canadian government.
The number of PRs under the economic class (federal, provincial, Atlantic Immigration Pilot and Quebec selection) is set to increase to 244,700 next year.
Statistics Canada shows 36,015 temporary workers from the Philippines admitted in 2024. This year’s fourth quarter total was already 27,720, which would include RNs sponsored by employers — either already inside Canada as graduates of academic courses or had completed the bridging courses as part of the RN registration process.
RNs invited to apply for permanent residents through the category-based selection for health care occupations were predominantly women — 10,890. Only 4,273 were men.
Temporary vs permanent resident RNs
Whether coming to Canada as a temporary or permanent resident, the Filipino RN must be eligible to practice the profession.
While those invited to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry may choose to work in another health care profession, an RN sponsored by an employer must practice as a nurse pursuant to the requirements of the province.
An international nurse — on temporary or permanent resident status — must meet the requirements to practice as an RN in the province of intended work/practice.
Essentially, she/he must have passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Prior to taking the NCLEX-RN exam, the RN applicant must have passed the assessment done by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) https://www.nnas.ca/eligibility/
An applicant who has already passed the NCLEX-RN and has active registration anywhere globally that meets the currency of practice, can apply using the substantial equivalence application. She/he does not need to be registered in a specific jurisdiction to use the existing NCLEX-RN results toward a work permit.
Those wishing to become a registered nurse must meet certain formal requirements for registration with the regulatory body in the province of intended practice/employment, see common criteria below:
– Graduate from an approved nursing education program (baccalaureate in all provinces except Quebec which requires a diploma),
– Pass the NCLEX-RN, except in Quebec which requires exam from Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec,
– Demonstrate that they possess the good character expected of a registered nurse,
– Provide evidence of English language proficiency,
– Provide evidence of fitness to practice,
– Pass a criminal record check, and
– Hold professional liability protection.
Six provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) also require the successful completion of a jurisprudence examination or module.
How to check updated requirements of provincial regulatory authorities for RNs:
In British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, all categories of nurses are regulated by a single college. Meanwhile, in the other provinces and territories, each nursing category has its own regulatory body.
Click or copy and paste the link to the specific regulatory body, below:
British Columbia — British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals and Midwives
Alberta — College of Registered Nurses of Alberta
Saskatchewan — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan
Manitoba — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Ontario — Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and registered practical nurses: College of Nurses of Ontario
Quebec — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
New Brunswick — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: Nurses Association of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia — Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses: Nova Scotia College of Nursing
Prince Edward Island — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Nunavut — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Yukon — Registered nurses and nurse practitioners: Yukon Registered Nurses Association.
English language requirements
The passing scores from the five approved English language tests are shown in the accompanying table. For Express Entry applicants, the language proficiency scores weigh heavily on the total points toward the Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) since the language scores are combined with the education and experience of an applicant.
For example, a 32-year-old, single Filipino applicant with a bachelor’s degree, 3 years of work experience, and high language exam scores (superior) would get 425 points. Another applicant with the same credentials, age and work experience but a medium (minimum) English language score would get.
Basic French fluency will only add four points.
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Where to find job offers, potential sponsors
Some provinces in Canada have links for potential employer/sponsors, mostly government or public entity.
– Nursing Careers — you can upload your resume, indicate desired location/province. If you have a relative in that province, you may also determine the proximity of the employer to the address of your relative or friend — https://www.nursingcareerscanada.ca/?locale=en
– Manitoba’s Employment Direct Initiative, primarily intended to support recruitment from overseas or outside of Canada https://immigratemanitoba.com/employer-direct-initiative/
– The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program was created to attract skilled workers to occupations that have been, and will continue to be, difficult to fill in New Brunswick in the years to come. https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/immigration/immigrating-to-nb/nb-immigration-program-streams/nb-critical-workers-pilot.html#1
– Nova Scotia — Visit a specific employer’s website or social media pages. You may be able to learn more about the work environment, their company values, or information on whether they are currently hiring. https://liveinnovascotia.com/finding-job
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– Ontario — for Express Entry applicants who have received invitation to apply for residency — https://www.ontario.ca/page/applying-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp
– Prince Edward Island — The PEI Office of Immigration is currently selecting and prioritizing skilled workers in higher-demand sectors such as health care, trades, childcare, and other key industries facing labor shortages — https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/office-of-immigration/skilled-workers-outside-canada
– Saskatchewan has the International Healthcare Worker EOI Pool interested in pursuing a career in the health sector in Saskatchewan. Applicants are encouraged to create an expression of interest (EOI) profile — https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/live-in-saskatchewan/by-immigrating/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program/browse-sinp-programs/applicants-international-skilled-workers/international-healthcare-worker-eoi-pool
And there are the Approved Job Orders from the Department of Migrant Workers website. Search by jobsite (type “Canada”). At the time of writing, there were seven job orders for over a hundred registered nurses — and for those who may not have yet passed the NCLEX, there are approved job orders for licensed practical nurses as well as nurses’ aides, in-home caregivers, and home support workers.
Bonus: The US is just a bridge away from Ontario to New York. In fact, Ontario offers a number of bridges to cross: the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie/Buffalo), Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls), Lewiston-Queenston Bridge (Queenston/Lewiston), and Thousand Islands Bridge (Ivy Lea/Collins Landing).
But cross the bridge when the ICE has melted.
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