Maple News reports that Canada’s ongoing healthcare crisis is creating unprecedented opportunities for foreign-trained professionals seeking to immigrate. With mounting emergency room closures across the country due to staff shortages, skilled healthcare workers remain in high demand nationwide.
A recent incident in Clinton, Ontario deeply underscored the urgent need. In September, three injured teenagers arrived at their local emergency room for treatment—only to find it closed hours earlier due to staffing issues. They had to be driven 20 kilometres to the nearest open facility. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Emergency department closures are increasingly common across the country as hospitals struggle to recruit trained personnel.
To help address this labor shortage, Canada has enhanced several immigration pathways, providing viable options for healthcare professionals looking to relocate and work in the country.
One of the primary routes is through Express Entry. As of June 2023, Canada introduced category-based draws under the Express Entry system, specifically targeting candidates in five key occupations—healthcare among them. Candidates selected in category-based draws benefit from focused invitations, improving their chances of permanent residency.
In addition to targeted draws, the standard Express Entry system continues to operate, where candidates with high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores across programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remain eligible. Nurses and other healthcare professionals often meet the eligibility criteria for these programs based on their credentials and work experience.
Another significant option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which enables nearly all provinces and territories (excluding Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate candidates based on provincial labor needs. Many PNP streams prioritize healthcare workers, particularly nurses, personal support workers, and physicians.
For those interested in immigrating through any of these streams, it is important to ensure that foreign credentials are properly accredited. Regulatory bodies in each province manage the recognition of foreign qualifications, and candidates typically must undergo a credential assessment as part of the immigration process.
With healthcare resources stretched thin, Canada has made it clear that international healthcare professionals are welcome and urgently needed. For qualified applicants, this represents both a career opportunity and a pathway to permanent residency in a country actively investing in its healthcare future.