A new government study shows something very important: more than half of temporary foreign healthcare workers in Canada have managed to become permanent residents over the last two decades. That means thousands of people who first arrived on temporary permits are now settled in Canada with long-term status.
For example, over 57% of Indian healthcare workers and a remarkable 77% of Filipino healthcare workers gained permanent residence. Many didn’t have to wait long—one in four became PRs within just two years of starting their first job in Canada’s healthcare sector.
How Many Workers Became Permanent Residents?
From 2000 to 2022, about 105,000 healthcare workers moved from temporary to permanent residence. Here’s a look at how the numbers grew over time:
| Landing cohort | 2005–2009 | 2010–2014 | 2015–2019 | 2020–2021 | 2022–2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person count | 10,800 | 19,100 | 27,800 | 19,700 | 27,300 |
Pathways to PR: How Did They Do It?
Healthcare workers have used many different immigration programs to settle in Canada.
- Earlier, many came through the Live-in Caregiver Program, which later shifted to the Home Care Worker Pilot.
- During COVID, the government created a Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway. This helped thousands of healthcare workers move to PR quickly.
- Long-standing programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) continue to be strong options.
Who Are These Healthcare Workers?
The study shows some clear patterns:
- Most are women — around three-quarters of those who got PR.
- The average age has been dropping, meaning younger workers are choosing Canada.
- The top countries of origin are India, the Philippines, and China. But recently, there has been a noticeable increase in healthcare workers from India and Haiti, while fewer came from the Philippines compared to before.
Why Canada Needs Them
Canada’s healthcare system depends more and more on foreign workers.
- In 2000, there were only 3,200 foreign healthcare workers. By 2022, that number had exploded to 57,500.
- The pandemic showed how critical they are. In just one year, the number of temporary workers jumped 50%. They helped keep hospitals, nursing homes, and home care services running when local staff were overwhelmed.
- By 2022, foreign workers made up:
- 3% of the workforce in clinics and outpatient care
- 1.2% in hospitals
- 5% in nursing and residential homes
- Nearly 8% in home health care
Some provinces lean more heavily on foreign talent. PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario had higher than average shares of foreign healthcare workers.
Special Immigration Programs for Healthcare Workers
To attract and keep healthcare professionals, Canada has created several dedicated immigration options. These include:
- Express Entry’s healthcare category
- Home Care Worker Pilot
- Provincial programs such as Alberta’s Healthcare Pathway, Saskatchewan’s Health Talent Pathway, and Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream
International students in healthcare studies can also benefit. Even if they study programs below a bachelor’s level, they can qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), giving them work experience that may lead to PR.
Why do so many healthcare workers become PR?
Because Canada has a serious shortage of healthcare staff. The government makes it easier for foreign healthcare workers to stay permanently.
Is it quick to move from temporary to PR?
Often, yes. About one in four healthcare workers became PR within two years of starting work in Canada.
Which group of healthcare workers is most successful in getting PR?
Filipino workers have the highest success rate, with 77% becoming PRs. Indians also have strong results at 57%.
Which programs are most useful for healthcare workers?
Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, the Canadian Experience Class, and caregiver pilot programs are the most common ways.
Does Canada really rely on foreign healthcare workers?
Yes. In some areas, like home health care, almost 1 in 10 workers are foreign. Without them, Canada’s healthcare system would struggle.
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