Canada Immigration Pathways for Doctors through Provincial Nominee Program
Last Updated On : August 14 , 2024
It can be difficult to navigate the best Provincial Nominee Program in Canada, particularly for medical professionals. This blog will walk you through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that are available to doctors in the various provinces are covered in detail below, including with application procedures, prerequisites for work experience, processing times, and costs.
The following provides a summary of relevant programs for physicians in various provinces:
British Columbia - Skills Immigration Stream for Health Authority Physicians
How to apply?
- Acquire a job offer from a British Columbia Health Authority Sign up for the BC PNP Online Platform
- Fill out and submit the online application.
- Cover the application cost.
- Await the evaluation of your application.
- Apply to the IRCC for permanent residence if accepted.
Work Experience Required:
Have a minimum of two years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Processing Time:
It often takes two to three months to process a PNP application.
Processing Fee:
Application costs might vary, but they often fall between CAD 1,150 and CAD 1,500 .
Alberta - Immigration Stream for Doctors
The following table compares the requirements for work experience, processing time, processing fee, and immigration steps between the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and the Alberta Express Entry Stream for doctors :
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP):
The AAIP is specifically designed to attract healthcare professionals, including doctors, to meet the province's needs. Here are the canada immigration steps:
- Check eligibility for the Alberta Opportunity Stream or one of the other AAIP categories.
- Register online and use the AAIP site to submit an application.
- Pay the application fee of CAD $500.
- Submit required documents.
- Receive a decision on your application.
Alberta Express Entry Stream:
You need to have an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool and meet the specific criteria of the Alberta Express Entry Stream to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Alberta. Here are the immigration steps to apply:
- Have an active Express Entry profile.
- Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Alberta.
- Submit an application to the AAIP within 2 weeks of receiving the NOI.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the AAIP.
- Complete the application and send it in to the AAIP.
- Pay the application fee of CAD $840.
- Receive a provincial nomination if approved.
- Apply for permanent residency (PR) with the additional 600 CRS points.
You can apply for Canadian permanent residency as a doctor through the above mentioned programs. Based on your profile, you can select the best option or consult an immigration consultant.
|
Factor |
Alberta Express Entry Stream |
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) |
|
Processing Time |
Varies, but can take several months |
Varies, but can take several months |
|
Processing Fee |
CAD $840 |
CAD $500 |
|
Work Experience Required |
Varies based on the specific AAIP pathway, but typically requires relevant work experience in Alberta or Canada |
Typically requires at least 12 months of work experience in Alberta in the last 18 months, or 24 months of work experience in Canada in the last 30 months |
Saskatchewan- Health Professionals Stream
How to apply?
- Get a job offer in n HealthCare Professionals Stream from an employer in Saskatchewan.
- Sign up for an online application with Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
- Complete and send the online application.
- Cover the application cost.
- Await the evaluation of your application.
- Apply to the IRCC for permanent residency (PR) if accepted.
Work Experience Required:
A minimum of 6 months of relevant work experience is required.
Processing Time:
6-8 weeks for SINP processing
Processing Fee:
The application cost is roughly 300 CAD
Manitoba - Skilled Worker Overseas Category For Doctors
How to apply?
- Make a profile for an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Get an Application Invitation (ITA)
- Within sixty days, submit a completed application.
- Cover the application cost.
- Await the evaluation of your application.
- Apply to the IRCC for permanent residency (PR)if accepted.
Work Experience Required:
Minimum of six months of consistent full-time work in Manitoba
Processing Time:
Although they can vary, processing times usually take six months.
Processing Fee:
500 CAD
Nova Scotia Physician Stream
How to apply?
- Accept a job offer from IWK Health Centre or Nova Scotia Health Authority .
- Apply online with the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) .
- Cover the application cost.
- Await the evaluation of your application.
- Apply to the IRCC for permanent residence if accepted.
Work Experience Required:
Relevant medical degrees are required, however there is no minimum work experience requirement.
Processing Time:
3–6 months to process NSNPs
Processing Fee:
1000 CAD
Nova Scotia - Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
How to apply?
- Make an Express Entry Profile.
- Get an Interest Letter from Nova Scotia
- Within 30 days, submit an application to the NSNP.
- Cover the application cost.
- Await the evaluation of your application.
- Apply to the IRCC for permanent residence if accepted.
Work Experience Required:
It is not required, but recommended to have relevant job experience.
Processing Time:
3–6 months to process NSNPs
Processing Fee:
1000 CAD
Key Takeaways
- Every province has different PNP requirements and procedures.
- For most programs, a legitimate job offer from a provincial company is necessary.
- Requirements for work experience vary, but usually span from six months to two years.
- Depending on the province, processing times can vary from two to eight months.
- Application costs can vary, but they typically range from $350 to $782 CAD.
- Applicants must use IRCC to petition for permanent residency (PR) following provincial nomination.
NOTE: Always check the official provincial websites and speak with Canada immigration experts for the most recent information. Processes and requirements could alter over time.
F.A.Q.
While specific requirements vary between provinces, most PNPs for doctors require:
- A valid job offer: You typically need a job offer from a designated employer in the province.
- Medical qualifications: You must have the necessary medical degrees and certifications recognized in Canada.
- Language proficiency: You need to demonstrate proficiency in English or French.
- Work experience: Some provinces require a minimum amount of relevant work experience.
Several provinces offer dedicated PNP streams for doctors, including:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Nova Scotia
Alberta Express Entry Stream requires an active Express Entry profile and an eligible occupation. If nominated, you receive additional points towards your Express Entry ranking.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is specifically designed for healthcare professionals, including doctors. It has its own eligibility criteria and application process.