A new study by Statistics Canada reveals that more than half (58%) of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada’s healthcare sector between 2000 and 2022 have successfully transitioned to permanent residency (PR).
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This includes 57% of Indian healthcare workers and 77% of Filipino healthcare workers during this period. Notably, over 25% of these workers achieved PR within two years of starting their jobs in Canada’s healthcare system, a trend that remained consistent throughout the study.
This article highlights key findings from the study, including:
- The characteristics of foreign healthcare workers who transitioned to PR
- The increasing reliance on foreign workers in Canada’s healthcare system
- Special immigration measures available for healthcare workers
Who Makes the Transition to Permanent Residency?
From 2000 to 2022, about 105,000 healthcare workers moved from temporary to permanent residency in Canada. The annual breakdown of healthcare workers who transitioned to PR is as follows:
| Landing Cohort | 2005–2009 | 2010–2014 | 2015–2019 | 2020–2021 | 2022–2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of People | 10,800 | 19,100 | 27,800 | 19,700 | 27,300 |
The majority (68-78%, depending on the cohort) of healthcare workers in the study period obtained PR through economic immigration streams, though the specific streams shifted over time. Between 2005 and 2019, around 25% of healthcare workers became permanent residents through the Live-in Caregiver Program, although this declined after the program was replaced by the Home Care Worker Pilot.
In 2022 and 2023, 27% of TFWs obtained PR via the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway, a special measure introduced in 2021. Throughout the study, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remained essential pathways for healthcare workers to gain PR.
Notably, the spike in CEC admissions from 2020–2021 can be attributed to a one-time initiative by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where all individuals in the Express Entry pool were invited to apply for PR.
Over the course of the study, approximately three-quarters of healthcare workers who transitioned to PR were women. Additionally, the average age of healthcare workers transitioning to PR slightly decreased, from 36.9 years between 2005 and 2009, to 33.9 years between 2022 and 2023.
Countries of origin for these workers remained consistent, with roughly half coming from Asian countries such as China, India, and the Philippines. However, there was a notable increase in the number of new PRs from India and Haiti in recent cohorts, while the number from the Philippines decreased.
The Growing Role of Foreign Workers in Canada’s Healthcare System
Temporary foreign workers have become an integral part of Canada’s healthcare workforce, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of TFWs in healthcare grew dramatically from 3,200 in 2000 to 57,500 in 2022—an increase of 17 times. During the pandemic, the number of TFWs in healthcare surged by 50%, from 26,100 in 2019 to 39,300 in 2020. This jump reflected the pressing need for workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory health services, where TFWs helped alleviate the strain on overwhelmed domestic staff.
By 2022, TFWs represented 3.0% of workers in ambulatory health services, 1.2% in hospitals, and nearly 5.0% in nursing and residential care facilities. Their role was particularly significant in home healthcare, where almost 8% of the workforce consisted of TFWs.
Provincial reliance on foreign healthcare workers also grew, albeit unevenly. In 2022, the proportion of TFWs in healthcare was above the national average (2.7%) in provinces like Prince Edward Island (3.9%), Nova Scotia (3.8%), New Brunswick (3.4%), and Ontario (3.3%). Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia employed more than 90% of TFWs in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
As a result, TFWs have become crucial not only in addressing urgent labor shortages but also in ensuring stability in critical care environments, particularly in provinces with high demand for healthcare services.
Immigration Pathways for Healthcare Professionals
Canada offers several immigration pathways specifically designed for foreign healthcare workers, reflecting the growing need for these professionals.
Some of the key pathways include:
- Express Entry’s healthcare occupation category
- Home Care Worker Pilot (HCWP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, such as:
- Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
- Saskatchewan’s Health Talent Pathway
- Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream
Additionally, healthcare and social services are recognized fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing students who complete relevant programs—even at levels below a bachelor’s degree—to live and work in Canada after graduation.
In conclusion, foreign healthcare workers have become an essential part of Canada’s healthcare system, not just for filling immediate workforce gaps but also for strengthening long-term care capacities across the country. With a range of tailored immigration pathways, these workers will continue to play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and well-being of Canadians.
