Canada’s healthcare system is renowned globally, and with an aging population and healthcare worker shortages, the country is actively seeking skilled foreign professionals. For qualified healthcare workers, this opens a golden opportunity—not just for employment, but also for long-term residency through Canada’s immigration pathways.
Why Healthcare Jobs in Canada Are in Demand?
Canada’s healthcare sector is under significant pressure due to:
- An aging population
- Retirements of current workers
- Expansion of healthcare services in rural and remote areas
- To address labor shortages, the Canadian government encourages employers to sponsor foreign healthcare professionals through various immigration streams.
Here are the most in-demand healthcare jobs in Canada that offer visa sponsorship, the top companies hiring foreign workers, language and professional requirements, average salaries, and how each role leads to permanent residency.
Categories of Health Care Jobs With Visa Sponsorship
Here are the most in-demand healthcare categories:
- NOC Code: 31301
- Average Salary: CAD $70,000 – $100,000/year
- Language Requirement: IELTS (CLB 7 or higher)
- Professional Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Registration with a provincial nursing body (e.g., CNO in Ontario)
- NCLEX-RN exam
- Residency Pathway: Express Entry – Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Program
2. Personal Support Workers (PSWs)/Caregivers
- NOC Code: 44101
- Average Salary: CAD $35,000 – $50,000/year
- Language Requirement: CLB 5 (IELTS 5.0)
- Professional Requirements:
- High school diploma
- PSW certificate from an accredited program (can be completed in Canada)
- CPR and first aid certification
- Residency Pathway: Home Support Worker Pilot Program
3. Physicians & Specialists
- NOC Code: 31101, 31102
- Average Salary: CAD $150,000 – $300,000+/year
- Language Requirement: CLB 7 (or higher)
- Professional Requirements:
- Medical degree
- Licensing exams (MCCQE Part I & II, NAC OSCE)
- Certification from the Medical Council of Canada
- Residency Pathway: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Express Entry
4. Medical Laboratory Technologists
- NOC Code: 32120
- Average Salary: CAD $60,000 – $80,000/year
- Language Requirement: CLB 7
- Professional Requirements:
- Diploma or degree in medical lab science
- Certification from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
- Residency Pathway: Express Entry or PNPs
5. Physiotherapists
- NOC Code: 31202
- Average Salary: CAD $65,000 – $90,000/year
- Language Requirement: CLB 7+
- Professional Requirements:
- Degree in physiotherapy
- Credential recognition by Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)
- Licensure in the practicing province
- Residency Pathway: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
6. Pharmacists
- NOC Code: 31120
- Average Salary: CAD $80,000 – $110,000/year
- Language Requirement: CLB 7+
- Professional Requirements:
- Pharmacy degree
- Pass PEBC Evaluating Exam
- Provincial licensure
- Residency Pathway: Express Entry or Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Top Health Care Companies in Canada Offering Visa Sponsorship
These healthcare employers are known for hiring foreign-trained professionals and assisting with work permits:
1. SE Health (Saint Elizabeth Health Care)
- Job Roles: Nurses, PSWs, Physiotherapists
- Visa Sponsorship: LMIA support for foreign applicants
- Locations: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta
- Job Roles: Home care nurses, PSWs, Therapy aides
- Visa Sponsorship: LMIA-based recruitment and settlement assistance
- Locations: Nationwide
3. Vancouver Coastal Health
- Job Roles: RNs, Allied Health professionals
- Visa Sponsorship: International recruitment with relocation support
- Locations: British Columbia
4. Northern Health (BC)
- Job Roles: Nurses, Diagnostic technicians
- Visa Sponsorship: Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) sponsorship
- Locations: Northern BC communities
5. Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Job Roles: Nurses, Physicians, Lab Technicians
- Visa Sponsorship: SINP Employer-driven Stream
- Locations: Saskatchewan
6. Nova Scotia Health Authority
- Job Roles: Physicians, Nurses, Diagnostic Imaging Staff
- Visa Sponsorship: Atlantic Immigration Program
- Locations: Nova Scotia
Language Requirements for Healthcare Workers;
Most healthcare jobs in Canada require strong English or French communication skills due to the nature of patient care. Here’s what to expect:
| Occupation | Minimum CLB Level | Test Required |
|---|---|---|
| Nurses | CLB 7 | IELTS Academic / CELBAN |
| Caregivers | CLB 5 | IELTS General |
| Physicians | CLB 7+ | IELTS Academic / CELPIP |
| Lab Techs / Pharmacists | CLB 7 | IELTS Academic |
Note: Some employers accept CELBAN instead of IELTS for nurses.
Immigration Pathways for Health Care Workers
Here are the main programs foreign healthcare workers can use to gain permanent residency:
1. Express Entry (FSWP or CEC)
- For skilled professionals such as RNs, Lab Technologists, and Pharmacists
- Points-based system (CRS)
- Processing time: ~6 months
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Provinces like Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and BC target healthcare workers
- Priority processing and job offers required
3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- For jobs in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PEI, NL)
- Job offer + language and education eligibility
- For caregivers and PSWs
- Offers open work permit with direct PR pathway after 24 months of work
5. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
- Employers in rural towns recruit skilled healthcare workers
- Lower language and points thresholds
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Health Care Job With Sponsorship in Canada
- Credential Evaluation: Use WES or a designated agency to evaluate your foreign qualifications.
- Professional Certification: Apply to regulatory bodies for licenses (e.g., CNO, CAPR, CSMLS).
- Language Testing: Take IELTS or CELBAN as required.
- Job Search: Apply through:
5. Get a Job Offer: Secure a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you.
6. Apply for Work Permit/PR: Use pathways like LMIA, Express Entry, or AIP.
7. Relocate and Register: Upon arrival, register with your province’s regulatory authority.
If you are seeking to work & live in Canada, the Healthcare Career pathway is for you.
With persistent demand, structured immigration pathways, and employers ready to sponsor skilled workers, Canada is one of the best destinations globally for healthcare professionals.
Whether you’re a nurse, caregiver, or a specialized doctor, there’s a role for you in Canada—and a future beyond just employment. Many foreign healthcare workers have successfully transitioned to Canadian permanent residents and even citizens.