Canada Launches New Initiative: Free Professional Support to Help Immigrating Nurses Integrate into Local Healthcare System
In response to growing demands on its healthcare services, the Canadian government has recently launched a significant support initiative known as the Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services (PASS) Program. The program is designed to facilitate a smoother integration for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who have been approved for immigration into Canada's workforce. Fully funded by the federal government, this program is available at no cost to eligible applicants.
This landmark initiative, managed by the CARE Centre, directly addresses the core challenges that international nurses face during their immigration and professional transition process.
The PASS Program Explained: A Dual-Track, Completely Free Service
The PASS program is strategically designed with two parallel service tracks to meet the needs of nurses at different stages of their journey:
- PASS Pre-Arrival Program: This service is tailored for nurses who have received their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) but have not yet traveled to Canada. It allows them to receive guidance and training in their home country, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers.
- PASS Post-Arrival Program: This track serves as a newcomer service for nurses who are already in Canada as permanent residents, providing ongoing support for their settlement and professional development.
As the program is fully funded by the federal government, all services are provided completely free of charge to all eligible nurses.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this free program, applicants must meet both of the following core criteria:
- Educational Background: Have completed a recognized nursing education program in their country of residence and hold official documentation (e.g., certificate, diploma, or degree).
- Immigration Status: Have been approved to immigrate to Canada by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Applicants who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for support through the PASS program and will need to seek alternative resources.
Core Services: A Comprehensive Support System
The PASS program offers a well-designed and comprehensive suite of support services, including:
- Specialized Online Communication Courses: A total of 84 hours of online courses designed for nurses at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 or 6. The content is highly focused on language and communication skills specific to the nursing field, such as cross-cultural communication, Canadian nursing terminology, inter-professional collaboration, and conflict resolution.
- Expert Mentorship: In partnership with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the program connects participants with experienced nursing mentors. All mentors are CNA-certified and have at least three years of experience in their specialty. Mentorship is customized based on the participant's destination province and area of specialization.
- Live and Recorded Webinars: These sessions provide overviews of the nursing registration process in different provinces, the Canadian healthcare system, and current labor market trends. They also cover alternative, non-licensed positions that can be pursued while working toward full licensure.
- Individualized Case Management: Each participant receives one-on-one, personalized support. Case managers offer tailored guidance, provide relevant online resources, connect participants with fellow IENs, and make referrals to provincial support services based on their arrival timeline. Post-arrival, case managers continue to offer advice to aid in the settlement journey.
Furthermore, the program offers guidance on obtaining licensure from provincial regulatory bodies, assistance with licensure exam preparation, employment referrals, and interview coaching.
How to Apply
Interested nurses can apply by visiting the official website, pass4nurses.org, and filling out the online intake form. The application process is as follows:
- Create an account on the website.
- Specify whether you are inside or outside Canada and whether you are seeking pre- or post-arrival services.
- Provide detailed information about your educational background, professional experience, and clinical specialty.
- Upload required documents, including proof of completion of nursing education and proof of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (PR).
Accepted documents for proof of PR confirmation include:
- A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.
- A single-entry Permanent Resident Visa.
- A PR Visa pick-up notification letter.
- A passport request letter indicating PR Visa issuance.
- An IRCC request to complete a PR medical examination.
- An IRCC invitation to obtain pre-arrival services.
Once the application is submitted, a PASS case manager will review the information and contact the applicant with the next steps.
Canada Launches New Initiative: Free Professional Support to Help Immigrating Nurses Integrate into Local Healthcare System
The federally-funded "Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services (PASS) Program" is now officially open, designed to provide a suite of free, customized supports for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who have already obtained permanent resident status in Canada. Operated by the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, the program aims to help them overcome barriers in language, culture, and professional licensure through systematic online courses, expert mentorship, and personalized case management, thereby accelerating their entry into the Canadian healthcare workforce.
07/27/2025
Canada's 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program: Income Requirements Increased, Invitations to Continue from 2020 Pool
The Canadian federal government has recently updated the income requirements for sponsors under the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), introducing a significant increase. For a baseline two-person family, the minimum required income for 2024 has risen to $47,549, an increase of over $3,000 from the previous year. Sponsors must demonstrate that their income has met or exceeded the set levels for the three preceding tax years (2024, 2023, and 2022). Additionally, the government has confirmed that the 2025 invitations will be drawn from the pool of candidates who expressed interest in 2020, with plans to issue approximately 17,860 invitations to receive 10,000 complete applications. For those unable to apply, the Super Visa remains the primary alternative for long-term family reunification.
07/25/2025
Focusing on Labour Market Needs: Newfoundland and Labrador's Latest Immigration Draw Targets 359 Candidates
On July 10, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador's Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) issued 359 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial immigration to foreign nationals. Spanning both the Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), this draw explicitly requires candidates to hold a job or job offer from a local employer and prioritizes professionals in key fields like healthcare, information technology (ICT), and aquaculture to meet the province's urgent labour market needs.
07/25/2025
Prince Edward Island's Latest PNP Draw: Focus on In-Demand Occupations, 39 Candidates Invited
On July 17, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held its latest immigration draw, issuing 39 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to foreign nationals with job offers in in-demand occupations. This draw clearly reflects PEI's shift towards a more selective immigration strategy amidst tightening federal immigration quotas, with a strong focus on attracting specific professionals who can quickly fill gaps in the local labour market.
07/24/2025
Canada Invites 4,000 Healthcare Professionals in Latest Express Entry Targeted Draw
On July 22, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its latest Express Entry draw, once again focusing on specific occupational fields. This draw, the 357th, specifically targeted candidates in the "Healthcare and social services" category, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for invited candidates was 475. This move underscores Canada's clear policy focus on addressing labor market shortages, particularly for talent in critical sectors.
07/23/2025
Canada’s Latest Express Entry Draw Targets Only PNP Candidates; CRS Score Reaches 788
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its 356th Express Entry draw today, exclusively targeting candidates with a provincial nomination and issuing 202 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this round was 788, highlighting the crucial value of a provincial nomination in boosting a candidate's score. To date, Canada has issued over 45,000 invitations through the Express Entry system in 2025, with Provincial Nominee Programs and category-based draws emerging as the year's dominant trends.
07/22/2025
Manitoba Announces One-Month Pause on Applications for Key Employer Services Immigration Stream
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced a temporary policy update, suspending the intake of new applications for its key Employer Services stream, effective July 4, 2025. This pause is scheduled to last until August 5, 2025. This proactive measure is aimed at planning and preparing for future process enhancements. For prospective applicants, this means an adjustment to their timelines, while applications already submitted will continue to be processed.
07/17/2025
Alberta's Latest Immigration Draws Target Hundreds of Foreign Workers, Spotlight on Priority Sectors
In the first half of July 2025, the province of Alberta issued hundreds of invitations to apply through its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), aiming to attract foreign professionals capable of filling critical labor shortages. The draws covered multiple streams, including both Express Entry-aligned and non-Express Entry pathways, with a distinct focus on priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, aviation, and law enforcement. Data reveals that the candidate pool for certain programs, particularly the Alberta Opportunity Stream, is highly saturated, leading to fierce competition.
07/21/2025
QS 2026 Best Student Cities Revealed: Four Canadian Cities in Top 100
Global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has recently released its 2026 Best Student Cities ranking. Four Canadian cities—Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa—have secured spots in the top 100. While these cities are lauded for their excellent student feedback, diversity, and university quality, their overall scores are weighed down by consistently low marks in affordability. Notably, all four cities have seen a significant drop in their rankings compared to the previous year. This trend not only reflects a broader challenge faced by North American cities but also introduces new factors for international students to consider when planning their education in Canada.
07/20/2025
Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Open for Invitations
Canada's federal government has announced that the highly anticipated Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will launch a new round of invitations on July 28, 2025. Over a two-week period, the immigration department will send 17,860 invitations to candidates who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, with the goal of accepting 10,000 complete permanent residence applications. For sponsors who do not receive an invitation this round, or for families who were unable to enter the pool in recent years, the Super Visa remains an important pathway for parents and grandparents to reunite with family in Canada for long-term stays.
07/18/2025
# Can spouse of international students work in Canada?# How is the CRS Score Calculated?# What is Express Entry?# How to become a licensed immigration consultant in Canada?# Why Need a Professional, Licensed Immigration Consultant for Immigrating to Canada?# How to verify if my immigration consultant is licensed?# Difference between licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants?# Is it mandatory to be licensed to practice immigration consulting in Canada?