Foreign Worker Programs: Registered Nurses
in PDF Format (size: 134kb)
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:
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:
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.
|