Work Visa for Nurses
Complete pathway for foreign-trained and Canadian-trained nurses under NOC 3012 — including NNAS, registration, licensing and the LPN route.
Work Visa for Nurses
Nurses are in high demand in Canada under NOC code 3012 and can immigrate through Express Entry, federal skilled programs and multiple Provincial Nominee streams. The exact requirements depend on whether you were trained inside or outside Canada.
If you trained outside Canada
- Credential assessment from NNAS
- Registration with a provincial nursing college as a Registered Nurse (RN)
- Passing the official Canadian nursing exam and obtaining your practising licence
- Minimum IELTS 7 or the CELBAN exam (Speaking 8, Listening 10, Reading 8, Writing 7)
- Proof of relevant work experience
- Proof of funds for you and your dependants for one year
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical fitness
If you trained inside Canada
- No NNAS credential assessment required
- Registration with a provincial nursing college as an RN
- Passing the official Canadian nursing exam and obtaining your practising licence
- Language test (IELTS, CLB/NCLC, or TEF — minimums vary by program)
- Canadian or foreign work experience (usually at least one year, depending on the program)
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical fitness
Nursing work-visa checklist
- NNAS credential assessment
- Provincial nursing registration as an RN
- Passing CRNE or CPNRE and obtaining practising licence
- Strong English (min. IELTS 7) or French for francophone provinces
- Job offer in one of the 40 Canadian health-and-care occupations (often the hardest step)
- Police clearance and medical fitness
- Biometrics
- Formal work-visa application to IRCC
LPN pathway (2-year diploma)
One of the most common routes for foreign-trained nurses is the 2-year Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. You need IELTS 7, admission from a Canadian college, a study permit, completion of the LPN program, an NNAS assessment (which can run in parallel) and passing the provincial exam. Tuition for international students is roughly CAD 18,000 per year, and after certification you can work as an LPN in Canada.
Language requirements (Academic IELTS)
- Listening 7.5
- Reading 6.5
- Speaking 7
- Writing 7
- Overall 7 (Academic format)
What's included
- NNAS credential assessment and provincial RN registration
- Nursing exam (CRNE / CPNRE) and IELTS 7 / CELBAN
- LPN 2-year pathway option for entering the market faster
How TIA guides your file
Initial Assessment
We review your goals, background, immigration history, and available options.
Strategy & Document Plan
You receive a clear explanation of the recommended pathway and required documents.
Application Preparation
Your forms, letters, and supporting documents are organized and reviewed carefully.
Submission & Follow-Up
We support the process after submission and help you understand updates or further requests.
Frequently asked questions
What language score do nurses need?
Is the LPN 2-year pathway a good option?
Which NOC code covers nurses?
Ready to explore this pathway?
Book a free initial consultation and get a clear next step for your case.
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