Foreign Worker Programs: Registered Nurses

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Registered Nurses - Employment in Canada under NAFTA

What Does NAFTA Do for Registered Nurses? The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows registered nurses to seek and accept temporary employment in Canada in the Professional category. The Professional category of NAFTA allows Canadian Immigration officers to issue temporary work permits to persons without reliance on the job confirmation process. The job confirmation process in Canada is the equivalent to Labour Certification by the Department of Labour in the United States.

What General Requirements Apply to Entry to Canada Under NAFTA? Anyone applying to enter Canada under NAFTA must meet the following general requirements. They must: be citizens of the United States or Mexico; be seeking temporary entry only; meet all other Immigration requirements for temporary entry to Canada including those related to documentation required to establish identity and the protection of public health, safety and national security.

What Specific Requirements Apply to the Entry of Registered Nurses to Canada Under NAFTA? The following table outlines the requirements that must be met by all registered nurses applying to enter Canada in the Professional category in NAFTA and suggestions on how to satisfy these requirements:

Requirement	How to Satisfy the Requirement
Must seek to enter Canada to work as a registered nurse.	Letter of offer or attestation from a potential employer.
Must meet the minimum education requirements.	A state license; a provincial license; a Licenciatura Degree.
Must have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian enterprise as a registered nurse.	Copy of a signed contract with a Canadian employer containing the following information: the proposed employer; the position title and duties of the potential job; the purpose of entry; the educational qualifications; the arrangements for remuneration.
Must obtain a provincial license.	Obtain license from the province of destination before entry to Canada.
Must pass an immigration medical examination.	Obtain medical instructions from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (see Steps in the Application Process below).

What Documentation Will Be Issued to a Registered Nurse By Citizenship and Immigration Canada?

Work permits will be issued to a registered nurse who meets all of the requirements for entry to Canada.

Where Can Application Be Made for a Work Permit?

Application for work permits can be made to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) at any Canadian consulate or embassy that processes temporary Immigration applications. In the United States application can be made at offices in the following cities: Buffalo Detroit Los Angeles New York Seattle Washington

Will It Cost Anything to Apply?

All applications for work permits are subject to a Cost Recovery Fee of CAD $150. This is approximately equal to U. S. $100.

What Are the Steps in the Application Process?

The following table outlines the steps in the application process after a job offer has been accepted:

Step	Procedure
1	The registered nurse obtains an Application for work permits from CIC after receiving a written job offer from a Canadian employer.
2	The registered nurse completes the application and mails it to the Canadian consulate or embassy for processing along with: the Cost Recovery Fee; all required documentation outlined in the previous table.
3	CIC will send instructions to the registered nurse regarding the medical examination process.
4	CIC will issue a Letter of Introduction to the registered nurse once the individual has met all of the requirements and passed the immigration medical examination.
5	The registered nurse presents the Letter of Introduction to an Immigration officer at a Canadian port of entry where a work permit will be issued.

What Is the Duration of Work Permits?

Initial work permit issued to Professionals under NAFTA can have the maximum duration of one year. Extensions may be granted in one year increments for as long as the temporariness of the situation remains bone fide.

Where Can Further Information Be Obtained?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca

This is not a legal document. For precise legal information, consult the Immigration Act and the Immigration Regulations and Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement.