Maple News reports that nurse practitioners now have an increasingly promising route to Canadian permanent residency, thanks to recent updates to the country’s Express Entry system. This highly skilled healthcare role is currently in high demand across Canada, and the federal government is actively encouraging qualified professionals to immigrate and help fill the gaps in Canada’s healthcare workforce.
In mid-2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revamped its flagship Express Entry selection system to prioritize candidates in 82 in-demand occupations — including nurse practitioners — through targeted draws. Previously, Express Entry focused on immigration programs rather than individual professions. This shift aims to better address the chronic labour shortages identified in healthcare, trades, technology, transport, and agriculture.
“Nurse practitioners have proven to be a key part of the solution to Canada’s shortage of primary care providers,” say healthcare professionals like Vanessa and Kathy Hardill, speaking on the importance of their role in underserved communities. Studies show nurse practitioners deliver accessible, high-quality, and cost-effective care that is well-regarded by patients and colleagues alike.
According to Canada’s official Job Bank, there were 171 open positions for nurse practitioners across the country as of October, with the strongest demand reported in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The job outlook is rated as ‘very good’ in BC, Manitoba, and Ontario, and ‘good’ in several other provinces.
Nurse practitioners in Canada, categorized under National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 31302, earn a median wage of $54.01 per hour, with salaries ranging from $30.18 to $63 per hour. Based on a 37.5-hour work week, annual earnings could reach up to $122,850.
To qualify for these new occupation-targeted Express Entry draws, candidates must have at least six months of continuous work experience in the profession within the past three years — whether in Canada or overseas. That experience can include work as a temporary foreign worker or international student.
Beyond Express Entry, several provinces have long conducted their own occupation-focused draws through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The federal government’s new approach now aligns more closely with these regional strategies. Under recent changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the immigration minister must consult with provinces, employers, unions, and other stakeholders before establishing new targeted categories.
This modernization of Canada’s immigration system is part of a broader effort to keep pace with labour market needs, support economic growth, and sustain services in key industries. IRCC is also committed to enhancing French-speaking immigration outside Quebec, where nearly 40% of federal high-skilled admissions in recent years have been French-proficient candidates.
As Canada continues to grapple with a strained healthcare system and an aging population, the inclusion of nurse practitioners in targeted immigration programs offers a win-win: it fills national labour shortages while providing ambitious professionals with a path to permanent residency and a promising career future.
Maple News will continue tracking updates to Canada’s Express Entry system and its ongoing impact on healthcare immigration.