Nursing Careers in Canada: Immigration Requirements 2026

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Canada’s population is aging quickly, and the health system is still recovering from COVID‑19 backlogs, so nurses remain on almost every federal and provincial shortage list. The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan explicitly prioritizes health‑care workers, with category‑based Express Entry draws and multiple provincial programs focused on nurses.

For internationally educated nurses (IENs), there are two parallel challenges:

• • • Immigration: getting permanent residence (PR) or a work permit.

    • Licensing: getting permission from a provincial regulator to practice (RN, LPN/RPN, NP).

You must succeed at both to work as a nurse in Canada.

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2. Nursing NOC codes and TEER levels (2021 NOC)

Immigration and labour statistics in Canada now use the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) with TEER categories.

Key nursing‑related codes include:

TEER 1 and TEER 2 occupations are fully eligible for federal skilled worker and most Express Entry/PNP programs, and they are targeted in health‑care category draws.

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3. Immigration pathways for nurses in 2026

3.1 Express Entry and category‑based draws

IRCC continues to use category‑based Express Entry draws for health‑care occupations, which include nursing NOC codes like 31301 and 32101.

Key points for 2026:

• • • IRCC runs targeted draws for health‑care workers with recent experience.

    • Eligibility typically requires at least 6–12 months of continuous work experience in an eligible health occupation in the last 3 years (Canadian or foreign, depending on category).

    • Category‑based health‑care draws often have lower CRS scores than general all‑program draws—this effectively “fast‑tracks” nurses with good language scores and credentials.

    • A job offer is not mandatory, but it can add valuable CRS points.

Nurses may qualify under:

• • • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – using foreign nursing experience.

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – if they already have recent Canadian work experience in nursing or a related TEER 0/1/2/3 job.

Language: most Express Entry streams require at least CLB 7, such as IELTS General 6.0 in each band, but higher scores improve CRS.

3.2 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Many provinces run nursing‑focused PNP streams that can give you a nomination (worth 600 CRS points).

Common patterns across provinces:

• • • Dedicated health‑care or nursing draws (e.g., Ontario, BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia) targeting 31301 and 32101.

    • Requirements may include:

      • Valid or provisional registration with the provincial college of nurses.

      • A full‑time, permanent job offer from a provincial employer.

      • Minimum language levels (often CLB 6–7).

    • Some provinces prioritize nurses working in specific regions (rural/remote) or sectors (long‑term care, critical care).

Because each province updates criteria frequently, applicants must check the provincial website (e.g., Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, BC PNP, Alberta Advantage Immigration Program) at the time of applying.

3.3 Temporary work permits and LMIA‑supported jobs

Many IENs first come on a temporary work permit before transitioning to PR.

This can happen via:

• • • LMIA‑supported job offers where the employer proves a shortage and hires you as an RN/LPN/NP.

    • LMIA‑exempt routes (e.g., under certain trade agreements or public policies).

Once in Canada and working, nurses:

• • • Gain valuable Canadian experience for CEC or PNPs.

    • Can often qualify more easily for provincial nomination as “already working in the province.”

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4. Licensing: how to become a registered nurse or LPN in Canada

Immigration approval does not automatically allow you to practice nursing. Nursing is regulated provincially, and each province has its own college (e.g., CNO in Ontario, BCCNM in BC).

For IENs (except Quebec and territories), the licensing sequence usually looks like this.

4.1 Step 1 – National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

NNAS is the first mandatory step for most internationally educated nurses wanting RN/LPN/NP registration in Canada (excluding Quebec and territories).

You must:

• • • Create an NNAS account and select the provinces/roles (e.g., RN Ontario, LPN Alberta).

    • Arrange for your nursing school and licensing authorities abroad to send: transcripts, course descriptions, registration verification, and identity documents directly to NNAS.

    • NNAS then evaluates your education against Canadian standards and issues an Advisory Report that goes to you and the provincial regulator.

Typical timeline: 6–18 months, largely depending on how quickly foreign institutions send documents. Best practice: start NNAS as early as possible, even before you secure a visa or PR.

4.2 Step 2 – Apply to the provincial regulator

Once NNAS sends its Advisory Report, you can apply to the provincial nursing college in the province where you want to work.

Examples:

• • • Ontario: College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)

    • British Columbia: BCCNM

    • Alberta: College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA), etc.

Regulators assess:

• • • Education comparability and recency.

    • Language proficiency (often separate from immigration tests: some require IELTS Academic or CELBAN).

    • Recent practice hours and good standing.

    • Additional requirements like jurisprudence exams or bridging programs.

Important 2025+ changes (Ontario example)

CNO introduced major registration changes effective April 1, 2025:

• • • Education requirement:

      • RNs must have bachelor‑level nursing education.

      • RPNs must have diploma‑level nursing education.

      • The college will verify that your education is approved/recognized in your home country and meets a new minimum standard.

    • Transition to Practice requirement:

      • New applicants must show they are prepared for practice via a course, recent practice, or graduation from a Canadian program.

      • This applies to people registering after April 1, 2025.

CNO notes these changes will actually help many IENs meet the education requirement based on their validated foundational education.

Other provinces have similar reforms under way, so rules in BC, Alberta and others are also evolving to balance shortage relief with patient‑safety standards.

4.3 Step 3 – Exams: NCLEX‑RN, REx‑PN and others

To get licensed, most applicants must pass:

• • • NCLEX‑RN – for registered nurses.

    • REx‑PN – for practical nurses in some provinces (e.g., Ontario).

In addition, you may face:

• • • Provincial jurisprudence or ethics exams.

    • English/French language tests (often different from immigration tests).

4.4 Step 4 – Bridging programs and supervised practice

If your education or practice is not fully equivalent, regulators may require:

• • • A bridging program at a Canadian college or university.

    • Supervised practice or a clinical placement.

    • Additional coursework in specific areas (e.g., mental health, med‑surg, obstetrics).

These steps can add 6–24 months before full licensure, so planning and budgeting are essential.

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5. Federal immigration policy context: 2026 and beyond

5.1 Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028

Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan continues to set high targets for economic immigrants and specifically emphasizes health‑care workers to support labour‑market needs. Nurses are repeatedly highlighted in federal communications as part of “top talent” and essential worker strategies.

5.2 Category‑based Express Entry and health‑care focus

Since 2023, IRCC has been using occupation‑based categories, including a health‑care category, under Express Entry. In 2026, these categories continue and are central to the strategy of “prioritizing top talent,” with IRCC signalling ongoing draws for health‑care occupations.

This is good news for nurses because:

• • • Your NOC codes (31301, 32101, 31302) fall squarely inside the health‑care category.

    • Category‑based rounds can invite candidates with lower CRS scores than general draws, especially those with strong French or Canadian work experience.

    • Being licensed or partially licensed in a province can boost your chances for a PNP nomination, which then guarantees an ITA in Express Entry.

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6. Practical roadmap for an internationally educated nurse (IEN)

The exact order can vary, but a 3‑phase roadmap that aligns immigration and licensing looks like this.

Phase 1 – From abroad

• • • Confirm your NOC: likely 31301 (RN) or 32101 (LPN).

    • Complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if applying under FSWP.

    • Take IELTS General or CELPIP for immigration and achieve at least CLB 7 (higher is better).

    • Start your NNAS application as early as possible and gather all required documents.

    • Create an Express Entry profile once you meet minimum criteria.

Phase 2 – ITA, nomination and regulator processing

• • • If invited via Express Entry or nominated by a PNP, submit your PR application.

    • While PR is in process, receive your NNAS Advisory Report.

    • Apply to your chosen provincial regulator (CNO, BCCNM, etc.), complete language and jurisprudence requirements.

    • Get instructions on exams and whether you need a bridging program or supervised practice.

Phase 3 – In Canada

• • • Land as a PR (or on a work permit) and, if permitted, start working in a related job (e.g., nurse aide, LPN, or supervised RN).

    • Complete any bridging program, pass NCLEX‑RN or REx‑PN and finish regulatory requirements.

    • Obtain full licensure and transition into your target RN/LPN/NP role.

Throughout this process, accurate documentation and consistent information across IRCC and provincial regulators are crucial, especially with increasing information‑sharing among Canadian authorities.

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7. Key takeaways for 2026 nursing applicants

• • Nursing remains high‑demand in Canada and is prioritized in both federal Express Entry and multiple PNPs.

  • Your job must align with the correct NOC 2021 code (31301, 31302, 32101) for both immigration and licensing.

  • Immigration and licensing are separate tracks: you need PR/work authorization and provincial registration to actually work as a nurse.

  • NNAS is mandatory for most IENs outside Quebec and can take 6–18 months—starting early is essential.

  • Provinces like Ontario are tightening standards (bachelor‑level for RNs, new transition‑to‑practice requirement) but also making it clearer how IENs can meet them.

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