Careers in Canada · Nurses and midwives
Registration routes in Canada for nurses and midwives from the UK, Ireland and Australia
Manitoba and Nova Scotia have introduced faster routes for nurses from some of these countries, and the National Nursing Assessment Service has added an expedited service [VERIFY]. The right route depends on the province and where you trained. We identify it and keep your application moving.
Free for doctors, nurses and vets.We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.
Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY].
NNAS and the provincial expedited routes
The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) assesses nursing education for most provinces, and many applicants have reported long waits. Some provinces now offer faster routes:
- Manitoba. Since 10 March 2025, an expedited route for nurses educated and practising in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the US: an online course, the NCLEX-RN and 250 hours of transitional practice. [CRNM link] [VERIFY]
- Nova Scotia. Since May 2023, faster licensure for nurses in good standing from seven countries, including the UK and Australia. Ireland is not on that list. The NCLEX-RN is still required. [Nova Scotia link] [VERIFY still in force]
- British Columbia. Some UK and Australian nurses may not need NNAS. [VERIFY with BCCNM]
- NNAS expedited service. Introduced in 2025 for nurses already licensed elsewhere. [VERIFY with NNAS]
Last checked: [date]
The NCLEX-RN
Registered nurses sit the NCLEX-RN in most provinces, including on the Manitoba and Nova Scotia expedited routes. [VERIFY by province]
Role titles in Canada
Canada registers registered nurses (RN), registered or licensed practical nurses (RPN or LPN) and nurse practitioners (NP). The regulator decides which you qualify for. A Band 5 nurse in the UK usually applies as an RN. [VERIFY]
Keeping your home registration
You can usually keep your NMC, NMBI or Ahpra registration while you apply. Keep it active until you are registered in Canada; some nurses who let it lapse during long waits could not practise in either country.
Timeline, and the education assessment for immigration
The time depends on the province and how quickly your documents arrive. An NNAS report is not the same as the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) IRCC asks for in a permanent residence application. Sending the wrong one can lead IRCC to refuse an application. Sana Waqar, RCIC, confirms which document each application needs.
Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY].
Midwives
Midwifery is regulated by each province, with its own assessment process. Published guidance for UK and Irish midwives is limited, so we review your options on a call. [VERIFY current provincial routes]
Your costs and your family
We do not charge you. We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us. You pay official fees (NNAS or provincial assessment, NCLEX-RN, registration, work permit) [VERIFY amounts with links]. Many employers reimburse some of these.
Spouses and common-law partners can often apply for an open work permit, and children can usually attend public school. If your partner is also a clinician, we assess both routes together. Sana Waqar, RCIC, advises on your family's immigration options. [VERIFY]
Who this route covers
This service covers registered nurses and registered midwives. Nursing associates and healthcare assistants follow different registration and immigration routes in Canada, which we do not support. [Link to official information]
Frequently asked questions
Will I need to do supervised practice?
On Manitoba's expedited route, 250 hours of transitional practice are required. Other provinces vary. [VERIFY]
My registration has conditions or undertakings. Can I still apply?
That needs a private conversation with our licensing team rather than a yes or no here. The eligibility check routes this answer to them, and it stays with that team.
Can I apply to more than one province?
Yes, though each has its own fees. We help you decide where to apply first.
Do I pay Munro Banting?
No. Free for doctors, nurses and vets. We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.
Who decides each step
No one can promise a licence, a work permit or a start date. Regulators and IRCC make those decisions.
How to check us
- We never ask nurses or midwives for money.
- Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY]. Check the CICC public register.
- Our application for an Ontario recruiter licence is in progress. We will publish the licence number here when it is issued. [OWNER: confirm status] [LEGAL]
- Munro Banting Inc., Oakville, Ontario. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer in Canada, report it to compliance@munrobanting.com.
Check whether a route fits your registration
Free for doctors, nurses and vets.We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.