Healthcare Demand is driving PR Visa Application for Canada

Canada is looking for workers in several other areas of health. Canadian immigration programs across the country have been structured to specifically attract health professionals with a wide range of expertise.

Do you know how to obtain a visa for this country?

This article is a brief overview of the many immigration options currently available to professionals in the health services field

What are the different Canadian immigration options for Healthcare professionals?

People with health care experts are needed in virtually every province and city in Canada. This need is reflected in the abundance of immigration programs for these professionals.

Due to the diversity of programs currently open to healthcare professionals, successful applicants will have the opportunity to apply to the program most suited to their strengths and to settle anywhere in the country of their choice.

The following programs are particularly favorable to health workers:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The FSW program is currently limited to 24 eligible professions. Among these professions, nine are related to the health field. They are as follows:

  • Audiologists and speech therapists;
  • Physiotherapists *;
  • Occupational therapists;
  • Medical laboratory technologists;
  • Medical laboratory technicians and pathology assistants;
  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists;
  • Medical radiation technologists;
  • Medical sonographers; and
  • Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists.

A maximum of 300 applications will be accepted in each eligible profession. However, at the time of printing, all professions (* except physiotherapists) are still open and accepting applications.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP): This program is open to all skilled and semi-skilled workers. To be eligible, individuals must score a minimum of points on the program’s points grid. Applicants with a background in the health field are in luck as many of these professions are awarded very high points, thus boosting application.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs): Most Canadian provinces and territories maintain their PNPs. These programs allow individual provinces to nominate targeted candidates to the federal government for permanent residence in Canada. All PNPs have a skilled worker component, where many healthcare professionals can be considered. However, some have even gone so far as to devote specific courses to the integration of health professionals. These include:

  • British Columbia PNP: The BC PNP Health Professionals Stream was created to retain medical workers in the following areas – 
    • Doctors;
    • Specialists;
    • Registered nurses;
    • Registered psychiatric nurses;
    • Nurse practitioners; and
    • Related health professionals (such as diagnostic ultrasound technologists, clinical pharmacists, medical laboratory technicians, medical radiation technicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists)
    • Applicants for this program must have a job offer from a British Columbia-based employer.
  • Saskatchewan PNP: SINP has also created a category for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. Applicants must already have worked full time in the province for at least six months to be eligible.

What is the process to apply to a program?

Health professionals in addition to work experience, are also required to meet other eligibility requirements. Depending on the program, this may include meeting minimum educational requirements, English or French language skills, and personal funds. Also, interested applicants should take particular note of the following:

Licensing / Certification – Many, if not most, healthcare trades are regulated in Canada. This means that before practicing in Canada, individuals must hold the necessary Canadian certification, license, or authorization. Some immigration programs require applicants to already obtain or be in the process of obtaining, the necessary certification before applying.

Education Verification – Many immigration programs require applicants to have their credentials assessed before applying. Individuals must ensure that their studies abroad are sufficient to practice their profession in Canada.

Organizations – Many health professions are governed by professional associations, organizations, or unions in Canada. If necessary, applicants must do research and learn how to be a member of these organizations.

Once the successful candidate arrives in Canada, he or she can take advantage of world-class settlement services and the country’s robust job market. Although applicants must declare the province in which they intend to settle initially as immigrants, permanent residents of Canada can live and work anywhere in the country. This means healthcare professionals have the luxury of finding the job and location that best suits them and their families, no matter where they are in Canada.

“Healthcare workers have gone through valuable skills acquisition processes,” said lawyer David Cohen. “In Canada, healthcare skills are held in high regard. This esteem is reflected in high wages and mobility in the workplace, which is why our country continues to be a top choice for healthcare professionals around the world.

Although wages vary depending on a person’s field and experience, workers in Canada, in general, enjoy some of the highest wages of any G8 country. Healthcare professionals can often expect salaries over $ 40 to $ 50 an hour, depending on their field and location in the country. Salaries are only expected to rise in the coming years, as current workers retire and competition to attract young professionals increases.

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Author Bio: Abee Waage is a creative, freelancer and professional content writer for industries that are arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more. He also loves playing indoor games and do outing when he is not doing work.