Urdu Report Editorial Team
Canada is continuing to attract skilled professionals from around the world, including internationally trained healthcare workers, as the country works to address labour shortages and strengthen its healthcare workforce.
The Canadian government says skilled professionals can explore various immigration pathways and use official tools to identify programs that match their qualifications and circumstances.
Healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists and other health workers, are being encouraged to begin the process of having their foreign education, training and professional credentials recognized as early as possible.
Canada Requirements
According to the Government of Canada, internationally trained healthcare professionals can receive support to understand whether their profession is regulated and what steps are required to obtain a licence to work in their chosen province or territory.
Canada’s official immigration system provides several pathways for skilled workers. The government also directs international candidates to the Job Bank, where they can search for employers that are recruiting international candidates.
Professional Licensing Remains Important
Foreign-trained professionals should be aware that immigration approval does not automatically give them the right to practise a regulated profession in Canada.
The Government of Canada explains that professionals working in regulated occupations must have their foreign credentials recognized and may need to obtain a licence or certification from the relevant regulatory authority in the province or territory where they intend to work.
credential assessment
For example, doctors and pharmacists may have to complete profession-specific credential assessment and licensing requirements. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes alone does not automatically provide a licence to practise a regulated profession in Canada.
The Canadian government is also working with provincial and territorial partners to improve foreign credential recognition and help internationally trained healthcare professionals navigate the licensing process more effectively.
Official Government of Canada Links
Canada’s official skilled-worker immigration information:
Government of Canada – Find Your Path to Canada
Official information for healthcare and other internationally trained professionals:
Government of Canada – Foreign Credential Recognition for Healthcare Professionals
Important: Canada does not mean that every Pakistani nurse, dentist, pharmacist or doctor will automatically receive a job or visa. Applicants must meet the requirements of the relevant immigration program and, for regulated professions, complete the required credential recognition and licensing process.
