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Yes! Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can apply for permanent residency in Canada, and in 2026 they remain one of the healthcare occupations actively targeted through Canada’s immigration system. Classified under NOC 32101, LPNs are eligible for healthcare category-based Express Entry draws, often benefiting from lower CRS score requirements than general draws.
However, securing PR involves two parallel processes. Alongside your immigration application, you must also meet the nursing licensing requirements for the province where you plan to practise. Understanding both pathways early can help you avoid delays and improve your chances of successfully building your nursing career in Canada.
Under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are classified under NOC 32101 at TEER 2. LPNs work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or physicians, delivering essential patient care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centres, clinics, and home care settings. Typical duties include:
As a TEER 2 occupation, LPNs generally have different education and licensing requirements than Registered Nurses. This makes the profession an accessible pathway for many internationally educated nurses seeking employment and permanent residency opportunities in Canada.
Since 2023, IRCC has run category based Express Entry draws specifically targeting healthcare occupations, and NOC 32101 is on that list. These healthcare category draws are held regularly throughout the year. They often have significantly lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs than general Express Entry draws, improving the chances for eligible LPNs. Recent 2026 healthcare draws have landed in roughly the 460 to 476 point range, compared to well over 500 for the general pool.
As of 2026, eligibility requires at least twelve months of continuous work experience in a single qualifying healthcare occupation within the past three years, along with a positive educational credential assessment and language test results meeting Federal skilled worker minimums. A job offer is not mandatory to qualify for these draws, though it does add points.
For LPNs with lower CRS scores, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can provide one of the strongest pathways to permanent residency. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to apply through Canada Express Entry. Several provinces operate immigration streams specifically designed to recruit healthcare professionals.
|
Province |
Immigration Program or Stream |
How It Benefits LPNs |
|
Ontario |
Human Capital Priorities Stream & Employer Job Offer Streams |
Regularly invites eligible nurses through Express Entry and offers support for employment in underserved communities. |
|
British Columbia |
BC Provincial Nominee Program – Health Authority Stream |
Open to LPNs with a full-time job offer from a participating public health authority. |
|
Alberta |
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Express Entry & Rural Renewal Streams |
Targets healthcare professionals and issues Notifications of Interest to eligible nurses in the Express Entry pool. |
|
Saskatchewan |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Health Talent Pathway |
Provides a dedicated immigration pathway with ongoing intake for qualified nursing professionals. |
|
Manitoba |
Skilled Worker in Manitoba & Healthcare Occupation Draws |
Conducts targeted draws for healthcare occupations, including Licensed Practical Nurses. |
|
Nova Scotia |
Labour Market Priorities & Occupations in Demand |
Prioritises healthcare professionals through targeted immigration streams and provincial selection. |
Atlantic Immigration Program
LPNs with a job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Prince Edward Island may qualify through the Atlantic Immigration Program. This employer-driven pathway supports skilled healthcare professionals seeking permanent residency while helping address ongoing workforce shortages across Atlantic Canada.
Healthcare professionals willing to live and work in smaller communities may also qualify through Canada’s rural community immigration pathways. These employer-focused programmes help participating communities recruit skilled workers, including LPNs, to fill critical healthcare vacancies where demand remains high.
Regardless of the immigration pathway you choose, you must be licensed before you can legally work as an LPN in the province where you intend to practise. For internationally educated nurses, that process start-up visa with the National Nursing Assessment Service, which evaluates your foreign credentials against Canadian standards. Most internationally educated nurses will then need to:
Because licensing can take as long as the immigration process itself, both should be started together rather than sequentially. Delaying your Express Entry profile until licensing is complete is one of the most common mistakes internationally educated nurses make.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) earn competitive salaries across Canada, with pay varying by province, employer, years of experience, and shift schedules. Rural and remote positions often offer higher wages, relocation incentives, and additional allowances to help address ongoing healthcare workforce shortages.
|
Province or Region |
Typical Annual Salary Range (CAD) |
|
Alberta |
60,000 to 72,000 |
|
British Columbia |
58,000 to 70,000 |
|
Ontario |
55,000 to 68,000 |
|
Manitoba and Saskatchewan |
50,000 to 66,000 |
|
Nova Scotia |
52,000 to 65,000 |
In addition to annual salaries, LPNs typically earn $24–$36 per hour, with many employers offering pension plans, comprehensive health benefits, paid leave, overtime pay, and shift premiums for evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays.
Rising healthcare demands and ongoing nursing shortages are creating long-term opportunities for licensed practical nurses across Canada.
Yes! LPNs under NOC 32101 qualify for Express Entry healthcare category draws, Provincial Nominee Programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and caregiver pathways.
Timelines vary widely depending on your pathway, credentials, and whether you have a job offer, but most applicants should expect the combined licensing and immigration process to take anywhere from six months to a year and a half.
Yes, but you must complete the NNAS credential evaluation process first, and you may be required to complete a bridging program before you can register with a provincial college.
There is no official age limit, but age does affect your Comprehensive Ranking System score. Candidates in their twenties and early thirties generally score highest on the age component.
No! Healthcare category draws do not require a job offer to qualify, although a valid offer does add points and can strengthen your overall application.
Licensed Practical Nurses continue to be among Canada’s most sought-after healthcare professionals, with multiple immigration pathways available through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and employer-driven initiatives. However, eligibility for permanent residency depends on more than meeting immigration requirements alone. Successfully qualifying also requires completing the appropriate provincial licensing process and preparing the necessary documentation early.
Starting your credential assessment, language testing, and immigration profile at the same time can help reduce unnecessary delays and improve your readiness when opportunities become available. Planning both processes together gives you a stronger position in an increasingly competitive system.
With the right preparation and a clear understanding of your options, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada and achieving permanent residency can be a realistic and rewarding long-term goal.
Every immigration pathway has unique eligibility requirements, licensing rules, and processing timelines that can change as IRCC and provinces update their programs. Choosing the right route from the beginning can save valuable time.
At Ansari Immigration Law, we help LPNs navigate every stage, from NNAS credential assessments to permanent residency applications, with personalised guidance tailored to their qualifications and career goals. Contact Yameena Ansari legal team for detailed consultation.
