Immigrate to Canada as a Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (NOC 31301) are TEER 1 and consistently targeted by healthcare category Express Entry draws. Guidance on licensing, NNAS, CRS and provincial streams.
Registered nurses fall under NOC 31301 (TEER 1) and have been consistently targeted in healthcare category-based Express Entry draws, which have often had lower cutoffs than general rounds. Nursing is a regulated profession, so licensing through the provincial regulator — usually beginning with NNAS — runs in parallel with, and separately from, the immigration application.
Key facts
| NOC code | 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 1 |
| Category draws | Healthcare occupations regularly targeted |
| Licensing | Regulated — provincial college registration required to practise |
| Credential service | NNAS assessment for internationally educated nurses |
Who may qualify?
- Internationally educated nurses with a nursing degree or diploma
- Nurses with at least one year of continuous paid nursing experience
- Nurses with a Canadian employer offer supporting a provincial stream
- Bilingual nurses targeting French-language draws
Eligibility requirements
- Approved English or French language test results
- An ECA for immigration purposes (separate from NNAS)
- Employment letters describing nursing duties matching NOC 31301
- Provincial college registration to practise after arrival
How it works: step by step
- 1
Start NNAS early
Credential verification is slow; begin before or alongside your immigration file.
- 2
Confirm the target province
Licensing requirements and bridging programs differ by province.
- 3
Enter Express Entry
Healthcare category draws have often been reachable at lower CRS scores.
- 4
Plan for bridging
Some nurses work in a related role while completing registration.
Expert insight
Nurses who begin licensing only after landing often lose a year of income. Starting NNAS while your PR application is in process is the single biggest time saver in this occupation.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.