Canada Work Visa for Indian Nurses and Healthcare Workers

This guide uses information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and VFS Global India, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. IRCC publishes its fees in Canadian dollars only. For visitor visas, super visas and study permits, see our Canada visa guide for Indians.

Is there a special Canadian work visa for nurses?

No. IRCC's temporary residence fee schedule lists a visitor visa, a study permit, a work permit and an open work permit, with no category for a particular occupation. A staff nurse, a nursing assistant or a lab technician from India therefore applies under the same work permit rules as any other foreign worker.

India is on IRCC's visa-required list, so you also need a visa placed in your passport before you travel. Two questions shape your plan:

• Do you have a job offer from a Canadian employer? Without one, the main employer-specific route is closed to you.
• Does your job need a Canadian licence or registration? IRCC's work permit pages in our record do not cover nursing registration, so confirm this with the employer and the provincial regulator before you file.

What does an employer-specific work permit need?

Most foreign workers, including healthcare staff, get an employer-specific (closed) work permit, tied to the employer named on it. IRCC lists these requirements:

• A job offer from an employer who is not on IRCC's list of non-compliant employers.
• A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for most jobs. The employer must give you a copy of the LMIA letter and Annex A, unless the job is LMIA-exempt.
• Enough money to support yourself and your family during the stay and to return home. IRCC points to low income cut-offs as a general reference.
• Evidence that you will leave Canada before the work permit expires, plus every document on your personalised checklist.

The personalised document checklist is generated in the IRCC Portal when you answer the eligibility questions. Check whether the visa office asks for anything extra. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your planned travel date.

Can a nurse get an open work permit instead?

An open work permit does not need a job offer, but IRCC limits it to applicants who qualify under specific programs. Being a nurse does not by itself make you eligible. IRCC's fee list includes a separate CAN$100 open work permit holder fee.

Our record does not list the qualifying programs. Read IRCC's work permit eligibility page before you pay anyone who promises an open permit.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

VFS charges took effect on 1 May 2026, and VFS has announced new charges from 1 November 2026 that were not published as of 15 October 2026.

IRCC's posted processing time for work permits applied for from outside Canada, for applications from India, is 11 weeks (IRCC data, last updated 14 October 2026). In April 2026, IRCC told a parliamentary committee that posted times are backward-looking and do not reflect actual processing times, so build in a margin.

For context, IRCC reported an 82% approval rate for work permit applications from January to 28 February 2026. That figure covers all nationalities; IRCC does not publish an India-only rate on that page.

How do you apply from India?

1. Get the job offer and, if needed, the LMIA letter and Annex A from your employer.
2. Create an IRCC Portal account and answer the questions to get your personalised checklist.
3. Upload your documents and pay the CAN$155 work permit fee and CAN$85 biometrics fee online.
4. Wait for the Biometric Instruction Letter. Since 24 February 2026, VFS India needs this letter uploaded to book a slot.
5. Give fingerprints and a photo at one of ten VFS-run centres: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi or Pune.
6. If approved, submit your passport; you cannot travel until the visa is placed in it.

Applications from India are handled by the visa office in New Delhi.

Can healthcare workers move to permanent residence later?

IRCC's Express Entry system manages three skilled programs. Each has its own experience and language test:

• Canadian Experience Class: 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience (TEER 0 to 3) in the last 3 years; CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: 1 year of continuous skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) within the last 10 years, CLB 7 and secondary education. A job offer is not required but earns points.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: 2 years in an eligible skilled trade within the last 5 years.

Provincial Nominee Program candidates can also apply through Express Entry, and a nomination gives extra points. Which TEER level your healthcare job falls under is set by Canada's occupation classification, which our record does not cover, so check it before you count on a route.

What to settle before you apply

• Get the licensing question answered in writing by your employer. An employer-specific permit covers only the employer named on it.
• Check the employer against IRCC's non-compliant employers list.
• Ask for the LMIA letter and Annex A, or written confirmation that the job is LMIA-exempt.
• Keep recent bank statements and salary slips that show funds for you and any family members coming with you.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages range from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter together. WhatsApp us on +91 95230 91018 or write to us through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 82% work permit approval rate for Indian applicants?

No. IRCC's committee note gives 82% for work permit applications of all nationalities from January to 28 February 2026. IRCC does not publish an India-only rate on that page.

How much are biometrics if my family applies with me?

IRCC charges CAN$85 per person for biometrics, with a maximum of CAN$170 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time. The fee is paid online to IRCC, and booking the VFS appointment is free.

Do I need a Canadian visa as well as the work permit?

Yes. India is on IRCC's visa-required list, so Indian citizens need a visa in their passport to travel to Canada. If your application is approved, you submit your passport and cannot travel until the visa is placed in it.