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Nurses Migration
From NNAS credential assessment to provincial licence to Canadian PR
— Derrick Jones guides every step.
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From NNAS → NCLEX-RN → Express Entry → PR → Settlement
Nurses Migration
From NNAS credential assessment to provincial licence to Canadian PR
— Derrick Jones guides every step.
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From NNAS → NCLEX-RN → Express Entry → PR → Settlement
For over 25 years, Derrick Jones has guided nurses from India and across the world to build careers and lives in the most respected healthcare systems on the planet. With offices in India and New Zealand, and partner branches spanning 13+ countries including the UK, USA, Ireland, Singapore, and the Middle East, we bring unmatched global expertise to every nurse's migration journey — now including Canada's world-class healthcare sector.
Canada is facing one of its most significant nursing shortages in history, projected to reach 117,000 unfilled nursing positions by 2030. In response, the Canadian government has made registered nurses a priority healthcare occupation under the Express Entry system — running dedicated, category-based draws that allow internationally educated nurses to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residency without a job offer, and often at lower CRS score thresholds than general immigration draws. In 2024 alone, healthcare-category draws issued ITAs at CRS scores as low as 422 — significantly below the 535+ required in general Express Entry draws that same year.
What makes Derrick Jones uniquely valuable for Canada is our ability to manage both tracks of the nurse migration journey simultaneously. Canada requires nurses to complete a separate licensing process — through NNAS credential assessment, provincial regulatory body application, and the NCLEX-RN examination — and a separate immigration application through Express Entry or PNP. Most agencies handle only one track or the other. Derrick Jones coordinates both, in parallel, to get you to Canada faster.
Express Entry Category-Based draws for healthcare workers allow Indian nurses to become Canadian PRs with no employer required — a unique advantage not available in UAE or UK pathways
Healthcare draws consistently run 50–75 points below general Express Entry draws; in 2024, cutoffs ranged from 422 to 463 for nurses (NOC 31301)
Registered nurses earn CAD 60,000–CAD 100,000/year; nurse managers up to CAD 110,000+; strong purchasing power outside major cities
3 years of physical presence as a PR → eligible for Canadian citizenship, one of the fastest pathways among major nursing destinations
Like the UK CBT, the NCLEX-RN can be sat at Pearson VUE centres in India — no need to travel to Canada for the major licensing exam
Spouse and dependent children are included in your PR application; spouse receives an open work permit to work in Canada from day one
Migrating to Canada as a nurse involves two separate but parallel processes. Both must be completed to legally practise nursing in Canada — but crucially, they do not need to be completed sequentially. You can run both tracks at the same time, and Derrick Jones coordinates both under one roof.
NNAS Credential Assessment → Provincial Regulatory Body Application → NCLEX-RN Examination → Provincial Nursing Licence
Express Entry Profile + CRS Score → Healthcare Category Draw → ITA → PR Application → Permanent Residency Granted
You can submit your Express Entry profile and receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency while your NNAS assessment is still in progress. You do not need a provincial nursing licence before applying for PR. Derrick Jones runs both tracks simultaneously to minimise your total timeline.
To practise as a registered nurse in Canada, you must meet both the licensing requirements of the provincial regulatory body in your chosen province, and the eligibility criteria for your chosen immigration pathway. Core requirements across both tracks are listed below.
Educational Qualification BSc Nursing, Post BSc Nursing, or MSc Nursing from a recognised institution. Your programme will be assessed by NNAS against Canadian nursing education standards. GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) diploma holders: eligibility varies by province — NNAS assessment will determine comparability with Canadian standards. Your nursing school must send transcripts directly to NNAS.
Home Country Nursing Registration A valid — or previously valid — nursing registration from your home country nursing council (Indian Nursing Council / Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council). Your licensing authority must send registration verification directly to NNAS. Since October 2022, NNAS no longer collects language test scores — these are submitted separately to the provincial regulatory body.
Work Experience For Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program): minimum 1 year (approximately 1,560 hours) of skilled nursing experience in the last 3 years. For the Express Entry healthcare category draw, a minimum of 6 months of continuous experience in an eligible healthcare occupation (NOC 31301 for Registered Nurses) within the past 3 years is required. Some PNP streams have different thresholds. NNAS credential assessment does not itself require work experience.
English Language Proficiency Required for both immigration and provincial licensing.
For higher CRS score (CLB 9 recommended):
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 in each band |
| CELPIP | 7 in each skill |
CRS Score (Express Entry) Canada's Express Entry uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank and invite candidates. Nurses benefit from Category-Based Selection draws, which target registered nurses and other healthcare workers — typically with cutoffs 50–75 points below general draws. Your CRS is calculated based on age, education, language score, work experience, and adaptability. Derrick Jones conducts a complete CRS assessment at your free consultation.
Provincial nursing bodies may have additional language requirements. CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses) is a nursing-specific language test accepted by many Canadian provincial regulators. OET and IELTS are also widely accepted. Derrick Jones offers coaching for IELTS, OET, and PTE.
Every internationally educated nurse (IEN) must have their credentials assessed before applying for a provincial nursing licence in Canada. Here is the complete licensing pathway, from NNAS application to receiving your provincial nursing licence.
from NNAS application to provincial nursing licence (Varies significantly by province, document collection speed, and NCLEX-RN scheduling)
Canada offers several immigration routes for registered nurses. The most powerful — and the one that sets Canada apart from every other nursing destination — is Express Entry Category-Based Selection, which allows nurses to receive an ITA for Permanent Residency without a Canadian job offer. Your Derrick Jones adviser will assess your CRS score and work experience to recommend the best pathway for your profile.
Pathway 1
The most direct and powerful route to Canadian Permanent Residency for internationally trained nurses. No Canadian job offer required — nurses are selected based on their NOC code and work experience alone.
Why this is exceptional for Indian nurses:
Healthcare category draws consistently run 50–75 CRS points below general Express Entry draws. In 2024, IRCC issued 10,250 ITAs to healthcare workers through three category-based draws, with CRS cutoffs ranging from 422 to 463. In the same period, general CEC draws required scores of 518–535. This means an Indian nurse with a CRS score in the mid-400s — who would never receive an ITA in a general draw — can receive one through a healthcare draw. Healthcare draws are held approximately every two to three weeks and are the most frequent category-based draw type in Canada's immigration system.
| Stream | Key Requirements | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Min. 1 year skilled work experience in past 10 years; language proficiency; post-secondary education; no job offer needed | Most Indian nurses applying from outside Canada |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Min. 1 year Canadian work experience in past 3 years | Nurses already working in Canada on a work permit |
| Category-Based Healthcare Draw | Min. 6 months experience in NOC 31301 within past 3 years; valid Express Entry profile | All nurses in the pool with qualifying healthcare experience |
Express Entry process
Create your Express Entry profile → CRS score calculated automatically
Enter the Express Entry pool of candidates.
Profile flagged as eligible for healthcare category draws
Receive ITA through a healthcare category draw or general draw
Submit complete PR application within 60 days of ITA
Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
Land in Canada as a Permanent Resident
Important:
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organisation such as WES (World Education Services) — CAD 252. This verifies your Indian nursing degree against Canadian education standards for immigration purposes.
Typical timeline: ITA to PR decision — approximately 6 months
Pathway 2
Most Canadian provinces have dedicated healthcare or nursing streams within their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile — virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next general draw. PNP is the most powerful tool for nurses who want to target a specific province.
Key provinces with active healthcare PNP streams:
| Province | Stream | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) | Active healthcare draws; strong demand for RNs |
| British Columbia | BC PNP — Healthcare Priority | Strong demand; often requires job offer in BC |
| Manitoba | MPNP — Skilled Workers Overseas | Nurses on in-demand list; available from outside Canada |
| Saskatchewan | SINP — Occupations In-Demand | RNs on provincial demand list |
| Ontario | OINP — Human Capital Priorities | Linked to Express Entry profile |
| Atlantic Provinces | Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | Job offer required; strong nursing demand in NS, NB, PEI, NFLD |
Pathway 3
If you have a Canadian job offer, a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit allows you to begin working in Canada while pursuing your licensing and PR in parallel. One year of Canadian nursing experience then qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry — a strong and fast route to PR.
LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) may be required unless the role is LMIA-exempt
Healthcare roles are frequently LMIA-exempt or priority-processed
Work permit to CEC to PR: typically 18–30 months total
Spouse receives an open work permit to work in Canada immediately upon your work permit approval
CRS Score
Your score is calculated based on your age, education level, language test results, work experience, Canadian connections, and other adaptability factors. A strong IELTS score (7.0 in each band) alone can add 128 points to your CRS. Derrick Jones provides a complete, personalised CRS assessment at your free consultation — including specific advice on how to improve your score before entering the pool.
The NCLEX-RN is the most critical licensing milestone on your Canadian nursing journey — and the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format introduced in April 2023 is meaningfully different from traditional multiple-choice exams. Preparation matters more than ever.
The Next Generation NCLEX does not just test knowledge — it tests clinical judgement. IRCC identifies registered nurses under NOC 31301, and Canadian provincial regulators have one expectation above all: that you can make safe, evidence-based nursing decisions in a Canadian healthcare environment. The NGN exam is designed to assess exactly that, using case studies, bowtie clinical reasoning items, matrix grids, and drag-and-drop answers alongside traditional MCQs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Computer Adaptive Test |
| Questions | 85–150 (minimum to maximum) |
| Duration | Up to 5 hours |
| Platform | Pearson VUE — available at centres in India |
| Fee | Approx. USD 200 |
| Results | Next business day (unofficial); official letter from regulatory body follows |
| Attempts | Varies by province; typically 3 attempts with a waiting period |
Canada nurse migration involves fees across both the licensing and immigration tracks. Understanding the full investment helps you plan with confidence.
Licensing Track Fees| Stage | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| NNAS Expedited Service | CAD 750 |
| NNAS Regular Service | CAD 845 |
| Document translation (if required) | ~CAD 85 per page |
| Provincial regulatory body application | CAD 400–800 (varies by province) |
| Jurisprudence examination | CAD 50–200 (varies) |
| NCLEX-RN examination (Pearson VUE) | ~USD 200 |
Immigration Track Fees| Stage | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| ECA — WES (for Express Entry FSWP) | CAD 252 |
| Language test — IELTS / CELPIP | INR 17,000–18,500 |
| Express Entry PR application (principal applicant) | CAD 1,365 |
| Express Entry PR application (spouse) | CAD 1,365 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (per adult) | CAD 515 |
| Biometrics (per person) | CAD 85 |
All fees are indicative and subject to change. Derrick Jones provides a complete personalised cost estimate at your free consultation
Timeline Summary| Stage | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|
| NNAS Expedited → Advisory Report | 5 business days (after all documents received) |
| NNAS Regular → Advisory Report | ~12 weeks (after all documents received) |
| Provincial body assessment → NCLEX eligibility | 3–6 months |
| Express Entry ITA → PR decision | ~6 months |
| Total (both tracks running in parallel) | 12–24 months |
Canada offers Indian nurses something genuinely rare — a country where your skills are urgently needed, the immigration system is designed to welcome you, and the quality of life awaiting you and your family is among the best in the world.
Canada's Express Entry Category-Based Selection system is the only major nursing destination pathway that allows you to become a Permanent Resident before you have a Canadian employer. Healthcare draws have run CRS cutoffs as low as 422 — well within reach for Indian nurses with strong language scores and nursing experience. This removes the single biggest obstacle that holds most nurses back from considering Canada.
Registered nurses in Canada earn CAD 60,000 to CAD 100,000 per year; nurse managers and senior specialists earn CAD 110,000+. Canada has a progressive tax system, and outside of Toronto and Vancouver, living costs are significantly lower than in comparable cities — meaning nurses retain strong purchasing power and savings capacity.
Canada's publicly funded healthcare system is internationally respected. Working in it gives you access to cutting-edge clinical environments, continuous professional development, specialisation opportunities in ICU, emergency, paediatrics, and oncology, and the professional credibility of a globally recognised nursing licence.
After receiving Permanent Residency, three years of physical presence in Canada makes you eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship — one of the world's most powerful passports, providing visa-free access to 185+ countries. This pathway is faster and clearer than comparable routes in UAE or UK.
Canada has strong nurse-to-patient ratio regulations in many provinces, well-structured shift systems, robust union representation for healthcare workers, and a culture that genuinely values the wellbeing of nursing staff. Nurses in Canada consistently report higher job satisfaction than counterparts in the Gulf or the UK.
Canada is one of the world's most multicultural nations, with a large and thriving Indian diaspora across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Indian nurses are a significant and well-established community within the Canadian healthcare workforce, meaning you will find familiar faces, cultural connections, and community support from the moment you arrive.
Trusted by over 10,000 nurses since 1999, Derrick Jones has spent more than two decades refining the art of nurse migration. We understand the complexity of Canada's dual-track system — and how to run licensing and immigration in parallel to save you time and cost.
Most agencies in India handle immigration or licensing — never both. Derrick Jones manages your NNAS application, provincial body guidance, NCLEX-RN coaching, and Express Entry profile all under one roof. You never have to coordinate between two different service providers.
Choosing the wrong province is the single most common and expensive mistake internationally educated nurses make in Canada. Eligibility requirements vary dramatically between Ontario, BC, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces. Derrick Jones matches your exact qualification profile to the right province from day one — preventing costly reapplications.
The Next Generation NCLEX introduced in April 2023 requires different preparation than the old exam format. Derrick Jones provides NGN-specific coaching — covering clinical judgement case studies, bowtie items, and the new question types — alongside comprehensive domain coverage and mock exams.
With offices in India and New Zealand, and partner branches in the UK, USA, Ireland, the Middle East, Singapore, and Malaysia, Derrick Jones brings a truly global support network to your Canada migration journey — including direct experience with Indian nursing council verification and provincial regulatory body processes.
From English language tests to the NCLEX-RN, Derrick Jones provides complete coaching and personalised support for every examination requirement on your path to Canadian nursing licensure.
The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is the centralised credential assessment body for all internationally educated nurses (IENs) applying for nursing registration in Canada. NNAS evaluates your nursing education and registration against Canadian standards and issues an Advisory Report to your chosen provincial regulatory body. Without an NNAS Advisory Report, provincial regulators in most provinces will not assess your application. It is the non-negotiable starting point for all IENs — including Indian nurses — regardless of which province they intend to work in or which immigration pathway they are pursuing.
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