Over half of healthcare workers gain Canadian PR, i.e., around 58% of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) employed in Canada’s healthcare system between 2000 and 2022 successfully transitioned to permanent residence (PR), according to a recent study published by Statistics Canada.

The data highlights the important role international healthcare workers play in Canada’s system, while also showing how immigration pathways have supported their long-term settlement in the country.

Among them, 57% of Indian healthcare workers and 77% of Filipino healthcare workers gained PR during this period. Notably, more than one-quarter of these workers secured PR within just two years of their first healthcare job in Canada – an early transition rate that has stayed consistent over time.

Who Are The Healthcare Workers Moving To PR?

Between 2000 and 2022, approximately 105,000 healthcare workers moved from temporary to permanent resident status.

The breakdown of how many made the transition in each landing cohort is provided below:

Landing Cohort 2005–2009 2010–2014 2015–2019 2020–2021 2022–2023
Person count 10,800 19,100 27,800 19,700 27,300

The majority, between 68% and 78% depending on the period, transitioned through economic immigration streams. However, the programs used by healthcare workers have shifted over the years.

From 2005 to 2019, around one-quarter became PRs via the Live-in Caregiver Program, though this share declined as the program was phased out and replaced by the Home Care Worker Pilot.

For those who became PRs in 2022 and 2023, about 27% transitioned through the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway, a special program active between May and November 2021.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) consistently remained key channels for healthcare workers seeking PR. A clear spike in admissions through the CEC occurred in the 2020–2021 cohort, reflecting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) decision to invite nearly the entire Express Entry pool during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across the study period, about three-quarters of healthcare workers gaining PR were women. The average age also trended downward, from 36.9 years in the 2005–2009 group to 33.9 years in 2022–2023.

In terms of source countries, healthcare workers largely came from Asia, with India, the Philippines, and China being the top contributors. However, recent years saw an uptick in arrivals from India and Haiti, while the share from the Philippines slightly declined.

Foreign Healthcare Workers’ Growing Role In Canada

As over half of healthcare workers gain Canadian PR, let us discuss the increasing role of foreign healthcare workers in Canada. 

Well, the number of TFWs in healthcare has grown dramatically since 2000, when only 3,200 were employed in the sector. By 2022, this number had surged to 57,500, which is a 17-fold increase.

The most dramatic growth came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when TFW numbers jumped 50% in just one year (from 26,100 in 2019 to 39,300 in 2020). Foreign workers played a critical role in stabilizing hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory health services at a time of immense strain on Canada’s healthcare system.

By 2022, TFWs represented:

  • 3.0% of workers in ambulatory health services
  • 1.2% in hospitals
  • Nearly 5.0% in nursing and residential care facilities
  • Almost 8% in home-health care services

This presence underlines just how vital foreign workers are to the functioning of Canada’s health infrastructure.

Provincial reliance also varied. By 2022, TFWs made up a larger share of the healthcare workforce than the national average (2.7%) in Prince Edward Island (3.9%), Nova Scotia (3.8%), New Brunswick (3.4%), and Ontario (3.3%).

The majority of healthcare TFWs were concentrated in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, which together employed more than 90% of all foreign workers in healthcare roles.

Clearly, TFWs are no longer a stopgap measure – they have become an essential part of ensuring Canada’s healthcare system runs smoothly, particularly in times of crisis.

Immigration Options For Healthcare Professionals

Canada continues to create immigration pathways tailored for healthcare professionals, reflecting the country’s urgent need for talent in this sector.

Some key options include:

  • Express Entry’s healthcare occupation category
  • The Home Care Worker Pilot (HCWP)
  • Provincial nominee streams designed for healthcare, such as:
    • Alberta’s Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
    • Saskatchewan’s Health Talent Pathway
    • Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream

Additionally, healthcare and social services programs are recognized as eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This means international students in healthcare, sometimes even at levels below a bachelor’s degree, can gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies.

These pathways not only expand opportunities for international professionals but also ensure that Canada can meet the growing demand for qualified healthcare workers across its provinces.

Conclusion

The Statistics Canada study paints a clear picture: foreign healthcare workers are indispensable to Canada’s health system and are finding long-term opportunities to build their lives here.

With rising demand for professionals in nursing, caregiving, and other critical roles, Canada’s immigration policies continue to evolve, making it easier for temporary workers and international students to transition to permanent residence.

For healthcare professionals worldwide, Canada is not just a place to work – it’s a place to settle, thrive, and build a secure future.

CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.