Canada’s health sector is increasingly reliant on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) as the country grapples with long-standing staffing shortages across hospitals, long-term care homes, and home-based health services. According to Maple News, these essential workers are helping meet urgent care demands while also gaining pathways to permanent residency.
The most in-demand roles filled by foreign workers include nurse aides, orderlies, caregivers, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and medical laboratory technologists. These positions are critical to everyday patient care but often do not require full medical licensing, making them accessible entry points for newcomers to Canada.
For example, nurse aides and personal support workers (NOC 33102) provide hands-on care such as feeding, bathing, and mobility assistance. They earn between $42,000 and $52,000 annually, with higher rates in urban hospitals and northern communities. These roles are heavily recruited through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and often supported by the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Home support workers and caregivers (NOC 44101) also represent a significant portion of TFWs in the sector. Often employed in private residences, their duties range from companionship to basic medical support. Salaries typically range from $35,000 to $45,000 per year, with accommodations often included. Immigration pathways such as the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots are tailored to support their transition to permanent residency.
Registered nurses (NOC 31301) remain in critically high demand, with average salaries between $70,000 to $90,000—or over $100,000 in remote areas. Despite more stringent credential recognition requirements, bridging programs and high employer demand make this a strategic immigration path, particularly through Express Entry and healthcare-focused PNP streams.
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) and medical lab technologists (NOC 32120, 33101) are also sought after, especially in provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. These roles often qualify under both federal and provincial immigration routes and are listed under national occupational shortages.
Demand for health sector TFWs is highest in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and northern and rural regions. These areas not only offer more job opportunities but often provide higher wages and faster immigration processing.
Importantly, most of these healthcare roles offer clear pathways to permanent residency—often achievable within two years of Canadian work experience. Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan emphasizes recruitment in health occupations through mechanisms such as category-based Express Entry draws and provincial nominations.
For TFWs aiming to join Canada’s healthcare workforce, Maple News advises aligning your qualifications with the appropriate NOC code, improving language skills, pursuing early credential recognition (particularly for nurses), and targeting provinces with high demand and active immigration streams. With strategic planning, these roles can lead to long-term settlement and career growth in Canada’s vital healthcare system.