Best PNP Provinces for Healthcare Jobs: Top 3 Picks in 2025

Canada continues to rely on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to meet regional labor demands and ensure skilled immigration aligns with workforce needs. Among all sectors, healthcare remains one of the most sought-after and prioritized industries. According to IRCC and provincial immigration authorities, healthcare jobs consistently receive high numbers of invitations to apply for permanent residency (PR).

In 2025, three provinces stand out as top destinations for healthcare professionals looking to immigrate to Canada via PNPs:

• Alberta – via the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

• British Columbia – via the Skilled Worker – Health Authority stream under BC PNP

• Nova Scotia – via the Skilled Worker Stream and Physician Stream under NSNP

Alberta: Rural Renewal Stream (RRS)

Why Alberta?

Alberta is dealing with growing shortages in rural healthcare. The Rural Renewal Stream is part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), launched to support workforce development in smaller communities. In particular, the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway under the AAIP was introduced in 2023 and continues to prioritize healthcare professionals.

Healthcare Occupation Focus

Eligible occupations include:

• Registered nurses (NOC 31301)

• Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)

• Healthcare aides (NOC 33102)

• Medical lab technologists (NOC 32120)

• Physiotherapists, mental health workers, and other allied health professionals

Eligibility Criteria (Employer & Applicant)

Employers must:

• Be located in a designated rural Alberta community

• Offer full-time, permanent jobs

• Show evidence of local recruitment efforts

• Provide a settlement plan to support the newcomer’s integration

Applicants must:

• Have a job offer in an eligible occupation

• Meet language and education requirements (CLB 4 minimum, varies by job)

• Be eligible to work in Alberta

Supporting Evidence

• According to Alberta.ca, over 224 nominations were issued in early 2025 under healthcare streams. (Source)

• Recent reports from ImmigCanada show that healthcare professionals receive the majority of invitations in AAIP sector-based draws.

British Columbia: BC PNP – Skilled Worker (Health Authority Stream)

Why British Columbia?

British Columbia has an aging population and ongoing demand for healthcare services. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) includes a special stream for Health Authority workers, one of the few dedicated healthcare nomination pathways in Canada.

Healthcare Occupation Focus

Jobs commonly invited include:

• Registered nurses

• Nurse practitioners

• Healthcare aides

• Care aides

• Physicians (working in public health)

• Medical lab technologists

According to the BC PNP 2024 Statistical Report, over 39% of nominations were healthcare-related, particularly under the Health Authority stream.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have a job offer from a BC Health Authority (e.g., Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health)

• Meet CLB 4+ in English or French

• Demonstrate post-secondary education and licensing

• Register under BC PNP’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)

Note: No LMIA is required for jobs in this stream.

Supporting Evidence

• According to WelcomeBC, over 1,430 healthcare nominations were issued in 2024, up from 473 in 2023.

• Draws are often held weekly for healthcare occupations, with CRS scores lower than other categories.

Nova Scotia: NSNP Skilled Worker Stream and Physician Stream

Why Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia has positioned itself as a top province for immigrant healthcare professionals. Through both the Skilled Worker and dedicated Physician Streams, the NSNP prioritizes medical professionals in demand.

Healthcare Occupation Focus

• General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)

• Specialist physicians (NOC 31100)

• Nurses, healthcare aides, and long-term care workers

• Medical lab technicians

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health Centre frequently post job openings under PR-eligible categories on platforms like QuestJobs and Nova Scotia Immigration.

NSNP Physician Stream

For doctors:

• Must have a signed job offer from Nova Scotia Health/IWK Health

• Must have an active Express Entry profile

• Receive Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia

Skilled Worker Stream (General Healthcare Jobs)

For other healthcare roles:

• Job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation

• High school diploma or higher

• One year of work experience related to job

• Language skills (CLB 5+ for skilled roles)

Supporting Evidence

• CanadaVisa and Immigration.ca both confirm the dominance of healthcare roles in recent NSNP draws.

• Multiple 2024-2025 draws exclusively invited physicians and nurse aides.

Comparative Summary of Provincial Pathways

QuestJobs.io: Powering PR Pathways for Healthcare Workers

For healthcare workers looking to immigrate to Canada, QuestJobs.io offers a strategic advantage,

• 2,000+ PR-eligible jobs across Alberta, BC, and Nova Scotia

• AI Job Matching and Resume Optimizer

• Tailored job listings by job titles, region, and immigration stream

Final Thoughts

With demand for healthcare workers only rising, provincial immigration programs have adapted to welcome skilled professionals who can fill urgent roles in both urban and rural regions.