Are you a licensed nurse looking for a career that pays well, offers world-class work-life balance, and puts you on a fast track to permanent residency? Hospitals and long-term-care networks in every Canadian province are urgently recruiting international Registered Nurses and are willing to provide full visa sponsorship, paid relocation, and a pathway to permanent residency to fill nationwide staff shortages.
Healthcare draws under Canada’s Express Entry program now specifically target nurses, making 2025 the easiest year yet to land a Canadian RN job with sponsorship.
Benefits of Working as a Registered Nurse in Canada
- Competitive Pay: Average RN salaries range from CAD 70,000 – 95,000 per year (≈ CAD 43/hr), with ICU and ER specialists earning up to CAD 100k+.
- Relocation & Settlement Bonus: Many provincial health authorities cover airfare, temporary housing, and licensing fees.
- Comprehensive Health & Dental Insurance for you and eligible family members.
- Paid Vacation & Overtime Premiums (time-and-a-half after 44 hrs/week).
- Direct Permanent-Residency Path: Sponsored work permits let you claim Canadian experience toward PR within 12–24 months.
- Professional Growth: Funded up-skilling in critical-care, gerontology, and community health.
Job Requirements
- Valid nursing degree/diploma + NCLEX-RN or provincial registration eligibility.
- Minimum 1 year clinical experience (new grads may qualify for mentoring streams).
- IELTS overall 6.5/CLB 7 or OET-B (language test waived if studies were in English/French).
- Police clearance + medical exam.
- Ability to work rotating shifts and handle fast-paced acute-care settings.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide patient-centred care across assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation stages.
- Administer medications and IV therapies using EMR systems.
- Educate patients and families on treatment plans and discharge instructions.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to design evidence-based care pathways.
- Maintain accurate documentation to meet provincial standards.
Salary & Compensation Snapshot (2025)
| Province | Average RN Salary (CAD) | Overtime Rate (≥ 1.5×) |
| Ontario | 78 000 – 95 000 | CAD 58+/hr |
| British Columbia | 80 000 – 100 000 | CAD 60+/hr |
| Alberta | 76 000 – 92 000 | CAD 55+/hr |
| Nova Scotia | 70 000 – 85 000 | CAD 50+/hr |
Provinces & Employers Offering Visa Sponsorship
| Employer / Program | Location | Sponsorship Highlights |
| Ontario Health | GTA & Ottawa | CAD 10k relocation, bridging work permit |
| Alberta Health Services | Calgary & Edmonton | Up-front flight, 3 months housing |
| Vancouver Coastal Health | BC | CAD 15k sign-on, PR support after 6 months |
| Nova Scotia Health Authority (NS Labour Market Priorities) | Halifax & rural NS | Provincial Nominee nomination in 6 weeks |
| Saskatchewan Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot | Regina & Saskatoon | Work permit + PR nomination after 780 hrs |
Visa & Immigration Pathways for Nurses
- Express Entry – Healthcare Category Draws (CRS 400+ strongly favoured for nurses)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Ontario HCP, BC PNP Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities.
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Streamlined PR for nurses hired in Atlantic provinces.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Employer applies for LMIA; you receive a closed work permit while awaiting PR.
- Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): Bonus CRS points for nurses in designated small communities.