How to Move to Canada as a Nurse in 2024

Moving to Canada as a nurse involves two parallel processes: securing Canadian immigration status AND obtaining your nursing license. Here's your complete roadmap.

Phase 1: Immigration Pathways for Nurses

Option A: Express Entry (Fastest Route — 6 Months)

• Program: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• NOC Code: 31301 (Registered Nurses)
• CRS Score Needed: 470+ for a strong chance in 2024 draws
• Cost: $1,365 CAD (application + biometrics + medical)

How to maximize your CRS score:

• Get CLB 9 in IELTS (7.0-8.0 in each section) — adds ~50 points
• Get a job offer with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — adds 50 points
• Have your spouse accompany you — adds points for their education and language

Option B: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP — slower but more certain)

Each province runs its own healthcare streams:

| Province | Program | Processing Time | |----------|---------|----------------| | British Columbia | Health Authority Stream | 2-3 months (plus federal processing) | | Ontario | Health Human Resources | 3-4 months | | Alberta | Healthcare Pathway | 2-4 months | | Saskatchewan | Health Talent Pool | 2-3 months | | Manitoba | Healthcare Pathway | 3-4 months |

Step 1: Register with the province's PNP Step 2: Get a provincial nomination (adds 600 CRS points) Step 3: Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry

Option C: Atlantic Immigration Program

For nurses moving to Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PEI, NL):

• Requires a job offer from a designated employer
• No CRS score required
• Processing: ~6-12 months total

Phase 2: Nursing Licensure (The Hard Part)

Step 1: Credential Assessment — National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

• Cost: $655 CAD (plus transcript fees)
• Time: 6-12 months
• What they check: Your nursing education, work experience, and language proficiency

Step 2: Licensing Exam

• Registered Nurses (RNs): NCLEX-RN — $360 USD + $115 CAD registration fee
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): CPNRE (or REx-PN in some provinces) — varies by province

Step 3: Provincial Registration

Apply to the nursing regulatory body in your target province:

• British Columbia: BCCNM (~$600 CAD)
• Ontario: CNO (~$560 CAD)
• Alberta: CARNA (~$500 CAD)
• Nova Scotia: NSCN (~$450 CAD)

Estimated Total Costs to Move as a Nurse

| Expense | Estimated Cost (CAD) | |---------|---------------------| | Language test (IELTS) | $320 | | NNAS assessment | $655 | | NCLEX-RN exam | ~$600 | | Provincial licensure | $500-700 | | Credential translation (if needed) | $100-300 | | Express Entry application | $1,365 | | Biometrics | $85 | | Medical exam | $200-400 | | Police certificates | $50-150 | | Travel to Canada | $1,500-3,000 | | Total | ~$5,500 - $7,500 CAD |

Timeline: Realistic Path

• Month 1-2: Language test, gather documents
• Month 2-12: NNAS assessment (this is the bottleneck!)
• Month 3-6: Submit Express Entry profile
• Month 6-8: Receive ITA (if CRS is high enough)
• Month 8-14: Wait for permanent residence approval
• Month 12-18: Complete licensing and move

Pro Tips

• Start NNAS first — it's the longest step and you can do it before applying for immigration
• Apply for jobs while waiting — many Canadian health authorities hire internationally educated nurses (IENs) and help with licensure
• Consider a bridging program — some colleges offer 6-12 month programs to help you meet Canadian standards
• Job boards: Use HealthMatch BC, HealthCareERS, or provincial health authority websites
• Immigration consultants: Consider hiring a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) for complex cases

Bottom line: Moving to Canada as a nurse takes 12-18 months on average. Start your NNAS assessment immediately, aim for a high IELTS score, and consider PNPs if your CRS score is below 470.