Work in Canada
Immigrants Keep Canada’s Healthcare Workforce Alive Amid Rising Demand
Canada’s healthcare system is growing—but it’s not without pressure. While thousands of new jobs have been added in recent years, one big question remains: who will fill them?
On the frontlines of this workforce are immigrants and non-permanent residents, many of whom are stepping into roles across hospitals, long-term care homes, and clinics. Their contributions are not just helpful—they’re keeping the system going.
Let’s look at how newcomers are shaping the future of care in Canada, and why hiring an immigration consultant can help skilled health professionals get here faster.
Healthcare Jobs in Canada Are Booming—But So Are the Gaps
Over the past 25 years, Canada’s healthcare workforce has more than doubled. From 1998 to 2024, nearly 900,000 new jobs were added—an average growth of 3% each year. That’s far ahead of many other sectors.
But here’s the challenge: almost 1 in 5 health workers in 2024 is aged 55 or older. Retirement numbers are creeping up, and unless new professionals step in soon, parts of the system could face serious staffing shortages.
Vacancies in healthcare roles are already at historic highs. In fact, recent reports show over 97,000 healthcare job openings—twice as many as before the pandemic. Clearly, we’re not just replacing retirees. We need more hands-on deck.
Immigrants Are Filling Critical Roles Across the Sector
In key areas like nursing, personal care, and lab work, newcomers are helping fill the gap left by older workers retiring. Here’s what stands out:
- Nearly 1 in 4 nurse aides and patient care assistants under 35 are immigrants or non-permanent residents
- Among young medical specialists, over 10% are either recent immigrants or non-permanent residents
- In several occupations, without immigrants, the number of new workers wouldn’t be enough to replace retirees
This isn’t just a trend. It’s becoming the backbone of Canada’s ability to care for its aging population.
Many Immigrants Are Overqualified for Their Jobs
One of the most surprising facts? Most immigrants working in lower-tier healthcare roles are highly educated.
Take this example:
| Occupation | % of Recent Immigrants with Degrees | % of Canadian-born Workers |
| Nurse Aides | 47.1% | 6.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | 62% | ~25% |
Many of these newcomers hold health degrees from abroad—some even trained as doctors or specialists—but still end up in support roles due to barriers in getting licensed in Canada.
These barriers include:
- Long and unclear foreign credential recognition processes
- Lack of Canadian work experience
- High fees and strict licensing exams
- Limited access to bridging or mentorship programs
The result? Highly skilled workers are underused—at a time when they’re needed more than ever.
Why Hiring a Licensed Immigration Consultant Matters?
Skilled health professionals overseas often struggle to apply for the right program or gather proper documents. Immigration rules change fast, and one small mistake can lead to delays or rejection.
Here’s how a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) can help:
- Evaluate your experience and suggest the best immigration stream
- Help you apply through healthcare-specific programs or PNPs
- Guide you through language tests, educational credential assessments, and more
- Ensure your profile is optimized for draws and faster processing
In a field where timing and accuracy matter, working with a professional can speed up your move to Canada—and help you land a job that matches your skills.
What Canada Can Do to Use Immigrant Talent Better
To truly benefit from this wave of skilled newcomers, Canada must improve access to healthcare jobs for immigrants. Here are four changes that could help:
- Faster foreign credential recognition
- More bridging programs for healthcare licensing
- Better language support for professional communication
- Immigration programs aligned with real workforce needs
This isn’t about creating new jobs—those already exist. It’s about removing the roadblocks that keep skilled people from filling them.
Immigrants Are Vital to Canada’s Healthcare Workforce
Canada’s healthcare workforce depends more than ever on newcomers. From support roles to specialists, immigrants are stepping in where they’re needed most, often with more qualifications than the jobs require.
With the right support, including help from a licensed immigration consultant, more skilled health workers can find their place in Canada. For those dreaming of making a difference in healthcare, now’s the time to act.
