IMMIGRATION TO CANADA/ QUEBEC

Nurses in High Demand throughout Canada

There is currently a high demand for nurses throughout Canada. A recent immigration change has again made it possible for nurses to immigrate to Canada without a job offer. On August 1st 2013 Canada’s Province of Quebec announced important changes to its popular Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, which results in a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa. Under the revised QSW program, nurses will receive even more points than previously for their education/area of training.
“If you are a nurse, now is the time to seize the opportunity and apply for immigration to Canada. ‘ Nurses in Canada have a bright future with a welcoming job market, high salaries and of course an exceptional quality of life.”

Nursing in Quebec
Quebec is home to rapidly expanding healthcare services. This includes the construction of two large hospital complexes in Montreal, which are expected to be completed in 2015 and 2016.
The province has taken measures to ensure that it continues to grow its nurse population. The QSW program, which is the main source of economic immigration to Quebec, recently reworked its points system in a way that favours nurses. Nursing professionals may now earn 16 points towards their overall QSW point requirement, up from 12 points before. This represents the highest possible amount of points that can be awarded for any area of training/field of study.
This increase in points is significant. Quebec usually places a high emphasis on French language skills for individuals looking to immigrate. However, many nursing applicants will not necessarily need to learn French in order to receive enough points to immigrate under the QSW program, thanks to the amount of points they will receive for their professional background.

Nurses in Quebec can receive an average salary ranging between $50,000 and $60,000 a year. Due to nursing shortages throughout the province, there are many opportunities to earn even more than this. One article from April 2013 described a nurse earning an impressive $315,000 through overtime work and benefits.
Successful applicants to the QSW program receive Canadian Permanent Residency. Applicants immigrating as Quebec Skilled Workers should have a genuine intention of settling in the Province of Quebec. Once a Permanent Resident arrives in Canada, the Canadian Constitution grants all permanent residents and citizens the right and freedom to live and work in any of Canada’s provinces or territories.

Nursing in Canada
The Canadian Nurses Associations predicts that a staggering 60,000 nurses will be needed by 2022 in order to fill labour shortages. Nurses are highly sought after throughout the country, in both urban and rural areas.
Registered nurses may work in a wide range of capacities, all of which are needed in Canada. These include:
 Nurse practitioners
 Nurse researchers
 Specialized nurses (burn patient, dialysis, cardiology, nephrology)
 Nurse instructors
 Psychiatric nurses
 Nurse technicians
 And more

The Quebec Immigration selection factors may be summarized as follows:

Education
Up to 12 points (Cutoff Score = 2 points)
Area of Training
Up to 16 points (Cutoff Score = 6 points)
Validated Employment Offer
Up to 10 points
Work Experience
Up to 8 points
Age
Up to 16 points
Language Proficiency
Up to 22 points
Stay and Family in Quebec
Up to 8 points
Spouse's Characteristics
Up to 16 points
Children
Up to 8 points
Financial Self-Sufficiency
1 point (Cutoff Score = 1)

Language test results must be submitted along with immigration applications to be awarded points for language proficiency:

Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate, followed by a Canadian Permanent Resident (Immigration) Visa.

To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, Skilled Worker / Professional applicants must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection system below. A single applicant must score at least 49 points based on the criteria below. An applicant with a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner must score at least 57 points.

Up to an additional 6 points may be awarded upon the interview for Adaptability. With these points awarded, a single applicant must score a minimum of 55 points. An applicant with a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner must score at least 63 points.