Can nurses immigrate to Canada?
Yes. Registered nurses can immigrate through Express Entry, healthcare category-based rounds and provincial nominee streams. Licensing is handled separately by a provincial regulator.
Yes. Registered nurses commonly immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, including healthcare and social services category-based rounds, and through provincial nominee streams that target nursing. Immigration and licensing are separate processes: permanent residence is decided by IRCC, while the right to practise nursing is granted by the nursing regulator of the province where you intend to work.
Key facts
| Main routes | Express Entry, healthcare category rounds, Provincial Nominee Programs |
|---|---|
| Category experience rule | 12 months of qualifying experience in the last three years, since 18 February 2026 |
| Licensing | Provincial regulator, separate from the immigration application |
| Credential assessment | NNAS is commonly required by nursing regulators |
| Language | Regulators often set higher language requirements than IRCC does |
Who may qualify?
- Registered nurses with recent experience in an occupation on the current healthcare category list
- Nurses with a job offer or connection supporting a provincial nominee stream
- Internationally educated nurses already working in Canada in a related role
Eligibility requirements
- Eligibility for an Express Entry programme or a provincial stream
- Qualifying work experience in a listed occupation for category-based selection
- An Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education used in Express Entry
- Separate regulator requirements for the right to practise
How it works: step by step
- 1
Start the licensing file early
Regulator and NNAS assessments often take longer than the immigration application.
- 2
Confirm your occupation is currently listed
The healthcare and social services category list changes by ministerial instruction.
- 3
Compare provinces
Nursing demand, bridging programmes and nomination criteria differ by province.
- 4
Consider French
French-language rounds have often had lower cut-offs than general rounds.
Expert insight
RCIC strategy consideration: nurses who begin the regulator and credential assessment file at the same time as the immigration file usually start practising far sooner. Waiting for permanent residence before contacting a regulator is the most common avoidable delay in nursing files.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.