Beautiful British Columbia

Initial Work Permit
To work in British Columbia, Canada as a Registered Nurse you will require an employment authorization (work permit/ work visa). An Immigration Officer issues the employment authorization after Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) approves your job offer. The full process to receive a work visa, which enables a Registered Nurse to work in health care in Canada, typically takes 4 to 6 months.

Application forms and full instructions on obtaining a valid work permit can be found by clicking here. Please pay special attention to the "Document Checklist" and include all requested information and documentation.

A brief example but not a complete list of requirements includes:

  • Completed application form and two recent passport size photographs
  • Your present and previous passport or travel documents and those of any family members accompanying you
  • Copies of your birth certificate
  • Payment of processing fee ($150 CND per person)
  • Your educational certificates
  • Letters of reference from present and past employers
  • An offer of employment
  • Employment Validation (Labor Market Opinion) from Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
  • Registration with College of Registered Nurses of BC (Temporary Registration or Temporary Supervised Registration is sufficient)
  • A medical examination by a designated medical practitioner on Canada's designated medical practitioner's list. Instructions on obtaining a medical examination will normally be sent to you after you submit your application to the Canadian Consulate/Embassy; it is recommended that the medical be conducted as soon as possible after the date that the application for a work permit is submitted.
The HRSDC application will be made on your behalf by your Canadian employer, and is a requirement of the Canadian government to prove that the position applied for cannot be filled by Canadian nationals. Processing time by HRSDC is currently between 6-8 weeks for the Employer to receive confirmation of the Labor Market Opinion. HRSDC confirmation must be received (and then included in the application package for a work visa) before the application for a work visa can be submitted to the Canadian consulate.


Work Permit Extension:
Work Permits can be extended for a maximum of 5 years (inclusive of the period granted on the initial work permit). The process of obtaining an extension to a work visa is similar to that of obtaining an initial work permit. A new HRSDC labour market opinion must be obtained. Once a positive labour market opinion is obtained, an application to extend a work permit can be submitted. Complete Information and application forms can be obtained by clicking here.

Under NAFTA, U.S. citizens do not require HRSDC Employment Validation or Union support.


Provincial Nominee Program:
After having successfully completed a 3-month probationary period, the option is available for full time employees currently working under a work permit to apply for employer-sponsored permanent residency. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an "Employer Sponsored" fast track version of the Skilled Worker Permanent Residency application process. Information on the PNP program - fees, process, and requirements - can be obtained by visiting the Health Match BC Website. Please click here to visit their website. The full process takes anywhere between 8 and 16 months to complete.



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