Canada Immigration for Healthcare Professionals from Pakistan

Canada immigration for healthcare professionals is the fastest route to PR for Pakistani doctors, nurses, and allied health staff in 2026. Canada runs special healthcare draws, and the last one invited people at a CRS score of just 467. That is far below the 507 plus score needed in general draws.

Canada does not have enough healthcare workers. The country has an aging population, and many nurses and doctors are close to retirement. So if you want to immigrate to Canada as a healthcare worker, you face lower score cutoffs than almost any other applicant.

Quick Summary: Canada Immigration for Healthcare Professionals

• Main pathway: Express Entry healthcare category draws, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
• Why it is fast: The healthcare draw last invited at CRS 467, while general draws sat at 507 and above.
• Key requirement: Twelve months of skilled health work in the last three years, an IELTS score, and a WES credential check.
• Timeline: PR takes about 12 to 15 months. After PR, you get your nurse or doctor license in Canada.

Can Healthcare Professionals Get Canada PR from Pakistan? 

Yes. Canada PR for healthcare professionals is open in 2026, and Pakistani applicants have a strong edge over others. Canada picks health workers through category draws that run at much lower scores than general draws.

On 20 February 2026, the healthcare category draw invited 4,000 people at a CRS score of 467. In the same period, general draws for the Canadian Experience Class stayed between 507 and 518.

Doctors get an even bigger edge. Canada added a separate physicians category, and in February 2026 it invited doctors with scores as low as 169. That is the lowest cutoff in Express Entry history. So Canada PR for doctors from Pakistan is more reachable now.

Which Healthcare Jobs Qualify for Canada Immigration? 

Many health roles qualify for Canada immigration for healthcare professionals, not just doctors and nurses. The healthcare and social services category covers a wide list of jobs. Express Entry for doctors and nurses is the most common route, but allied health and social service also qualifies here.

Each role has a NOC code, which is the number that Canada uses to match your work. Your code comes from your real job duties, not your job title.

Here are the main roles Pakistani applicants apply under, with their 2021 NOC codes:

The category also covers dentists, psychologists, dental hygienists, occupational therapists, and more. You can check your exact code on the official IRCC NOC page.

PR First, License After: The Two Stages You Must Know 

Canada immigration for healthcare professionals has two separate stages, and this is where most people get confused.

Stage one is your immigration. This means getting your PR so you can live in Canada. Your PR is based on your degree, your IELTS score, and your work experience. You do not need to pass any nursing or medical exam to get PR.

Stage two is your license. This gives you the legal right to practice. You cannot work as a nurse or doctor the day you land. First you must pass the licensing checks for your province.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Healthcare Professional

Step 1: Get Your ECA Report 

First, get your degree verified. This is done by ECA. Most health workers from Pakistan use WES for it. WES confirms your Pakistani degree is equal to a Canadian one. Most degrees also need HEC attestation.

Step 2: Pass Your IELTS 

Next, take the IELTS test. A higher band adds more points to your profile. Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 can add around 50 points or more. That is a big jump for a few months of study. Always take a mock test first.

Step 3: Enter the Express Entry Pool 

Now build your Express Entry profile and add your documents. Express Entry for doctors and nurses works the same way: you get a CRS score out of 1,200 and join the pool. Make sure your health NOC code is set as your main job, so the system spots you for a healthcare draw.

Step 4: Go for a PNP 

Is your CRS score too low for a draw? Then aim for a PNP, where a province picks you. A PNP nomination adds 600 points to your score, which almost always leads to an invite in the next draw.

Step 5: Get Your ITA and PR 

If your score is high enough, Canada sends you an ITA, which means an invite to apply. Now you send your full PR file. After review, you get your PR, and then you move to Canada with your family.

Not sure if your score is high enough for a healthcare draw? AIRCS Group checks your profile, confirms your NOC code, and maps the fastest route to your ITA.
Book your free assessment today or learn more about our Canada PR services.

The New 12-Month Rule for Healthcare Draws 

To join a healthcare category draw in 2026, you now need 12 months of work in your health job. This rule shapes Canada immigration for healthcare professionals, because it decides who is eligible for a category draw. Canada changed it on 18 February 2026, doubling it from the old 6-month rule.

The 12 months do not need to be all at once. You can add up work from more than one job or more than one period. The months just need to fall inside the last three years. Read more in our guide on the Express Entry new rules.

Cost and Timeline for Canada PR 

The main government fee for Canada PR for healthcare professionals is CAD 1,590 for one adult. That covers a CAD 990 processing fee and a CAD 600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Biometrics cost CAD 85 more. Canada raised these fees on 30 April 2026, so always check the latest figures.

Here are the main costs to plan for:

• PR application fee: CAD 990 for the main applicant.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD 600.
• Biometrics: CAD 85 per person.
• ECA through WES: around CAD 300 with courier.
• IELTS test: around CAD 375.

For timeline, a well-prepared file for Canada immigration for healthcare professionals takes about 12 to 15 months from profile to final PR. After your ITA, IRCC processing now averages around 7 months. A PNP route takes longer, usually about 18 to 24 months.

Getting Your License After You Land in Canada 

Canada immigration for healthcare professionals does not end at PR. Once you are in Canada as a PR holder, you start applying for license. Here is how it works for nurses, since they make up the largest group.

Nurses do the NNAS check first. It checks your nursing study against Canadian rules and sends a report to the nursing college in your province. After that, you pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse. Learn more in our guide on Canada PR as a nurse.

Doctors and other roles each have their own college and exams. The key point is the same for all. Start your licensing paperwork early so you can work soon after you land.

What Healthcare Workers Can Earn in Canada 

Healthcare workers earn well in Canada. Nurses earn between CAD 60,000 and CAD 100,000 a year. Family doctors earn around CAD 324,000 on average, and specialists earn more. Pay is higher in big cities and in special roles, and health staff are valued and treated well.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need a job offer to apply as a healthcare worker? 

No. You do not need a job offer to apply as a healthcare worker. Your CRS score and your health NOC code are what count most for receiving an ITA.

Do I need to pass a licensing exam before moving to Canada? 

No. You do not need any professional exam to get PR. You move to Canada first, and then complete the licensing checks for your field.

How long does PR take for a healthcare professional? 

For a strong healthcare profile, about 12 to 15 months from your Express Entry profile to final PR. A PNP route takes longer, usually 18 to 24 months.

Which healthcare jobs are most in demand in Canada? 

Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and allied health staff are all in high demand in Canada.

Which healthcare jobs have the lowest CRS cutoff? 

Doctors have the lowest. The physicians category invited doctors at a CRS score of 169 in February 2026, which makes Canada PR for doctors more reachable than ever.

Which province is best for Canada immigration for healthcare professionals?

It depends on your job. Ontario and British Columbia hire the most nurses and doctors. Some provinces also run their own PNP health streams, which can speed up your PR

Ready to Move to Canada as a Healthcare Professional? 

Healthcare draws are running now at low cutoffs. The sooner your profile is in the pool, the better your chances. Contact AIRCS Group, a trusted immigration consultant in Pakistan who has helped many people like you immigrate to Canada as a healthcare professional and make Canada home.