Step-by-Step guide of how to immigrate to Canada as a Nurse

Things to note:

- different provinces in Canada have their own mandatory qualification, regulations & requirements that must be met before one can work as nurse in Canada.

- Nursing falls under the 3012 NOC Code & Classified as a Skilled Level A.

- You may apply for a license in any province of your choice to be a:

**Registered Nurse (RN)
**A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
**Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

STEP 1:

Get Your Credentials Accessed by National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

-This is simply converting your qualifications into a North American standard.

NNAS will:

- Verify your credentials.
- Compare & evaluate credentials to Canadian standard.
- Store credentials.

Who is eligible for a NNAS evaluation?

- You graduated from a college or university nursing program outside Canada.

- Have never worked as a Nurse in Canada.

- Want to work as a RN, LPN, or RPN in Canada.

STEP 2:

Read also : Scholarships & Jobs in Canada.

Submit a NNAS Application.

(a.) Create a NNAS Application here: my.nnas.ca/nnasweb/loginR…

(b.) Submit two Proof of Identity documents to NNAS.

Documents must be notarized by a government-approved official, signed with a seal indicating that they have seen the original documents, made the copies, can certify that they are true copies.

Proof of Identification can include:

International Passport
Driver’s License
Birth Certificate
Legal change name Affidavit
Marriage certificate

(c.) Submit a Nursing Education Form.

Form can be accessed once you’ve registered online on NNAS website. The form must be sent directly by your school to NNAS either by mail or courier.

**Do not send your form to NNAS. School must send it.

(d.) Submit a Nursing Registration Form.

Form can be downloaded and printed from NNAS online account and must be sent by the nursing licensing authorities where you were ever licensed or registered outside of Canada.

(e.) Submit Your Nursing Practice Employment Form (Form must be completed and sent directly by your employer by mail or courier to NNAS).

(f.) Submit your IELTS Language Testing results. However, if your first language is English/French get an exemption letter from your school.

(f.) Once all documents have been received by NNAS, submit your application and choose what province and nursing group you are applying to.

The NNAS Main application fee is $650 USD.

(g.) NNAS will send advisory report to provincial regulatory body you initially selected upon registration.

**For complete NNAS application handbook: nnas.ca/wp-content/upl…

Once regulatory body receives report from NNAS, they will request you start process with them.

Here are Provinces, Qualification Available and Regulatory Body Involved:

1. British Columbia - RN & PN:
British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals

2. Ontario - RN:
College of Nurses of Ontario

3. Saskatchewan - RN:
Saskatchewan Registered Nurse Association

4. Manitoba - RN & PN
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Practical Nurses College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba

6. Alberta - PN & RN
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta

For a complete list of regulated bodies:Regulatory Bodies

(h.) Once NNAS has been completed, you will then complete registration with any of the Nursing provincial regulatory body that you have previously selected on NNAS application form.

STEP 3.

Identify the Immigration Program that suits you:

(a.) Express Entry (EE); tiny.cc/81cfiz

Fees breakdown:

- EE Application fee- CAD1040.
- WES – CAD230.
- IELTS – Dependent on Country (DOC).
- International Passport – DOC.
- Medicals - DOC
- Biometrics – DOC

Proof of Funds amount needed:

No. of Family - Funds Needed

1 - $12,960
2- $16,135
3- $19,836
4- $24,083

$3,492 for any additional member.

(b.) Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW); tiny.cc/sfefiz

(c.) Provincial Nomination Program (PNP):

- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) tiny.cc/rg7eiz :

BC PNP is created specifically for physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses & RN practitioners.

British Columbia needs more health care professionals. The Skills Immigration (SI) – Healthcare Professional category of the BC PNP helps physicians, specialists, nurses and allied health professionals work in B.C. and gain permanent residence.

- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

This is a great program for nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals.

- Study to Immigrate. You can check this thread on step by step guide of how to immigrate to Canada as a Single Student: by yourself without using an agent.

RECAP:

- NNAS evaluation/registration.
- Province regulatory body registration/assessment.
- Select the immigration method that suits you.
- Process and submit your application.

As always, important to have a timeline for each stage of an immigration process.

Rushing can be overwhelming & lead to information overload.

One step at a time. Also, regulatory bodies involved have FAQs on online & respond on time should you have questions.

All the best.