Easy Guide: How to Transfer Your Nursing License from Ghana to Canada in 2025 – Full Steps
how to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025
If you’re wondering how to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, this is for you. transferring your nursing license from Ghana to Canada is a structured yet achievable process that opens the door to a rewarding international nursing career. Canada’s nursing registration system is designed to welcome qualified nurses from countries like Ghana who meet the regulatory and professional standards set by Canadian nursing bodies. Whether you’re a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner in Ghana, understanding the exact steps to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025 is crucial for a smooth transition into the Canadian healthcare workforce.
One of the major advantages of Canada’s nursing immigration program is the comprehensive training and licensure support it offers. Nurse practitioners and registered nurses from Ghana can benefit from a wide-ranging curriculum that blends theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical experience within Canada’s healthcare facilities. These programs also give nurses the opportunity to specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and critical care—ensuring that your personal interests and long-term career goals are fully supported.
Additionally, Canada places strong emphasis on patient-centered care and evidence-based practice. Nurses who complete the transfer nursing license Ghana to Canada 2025 process are equipped with practical, up-to-date skills that enable them to thrive in a fast-evolving healthcare environment. From assessment to integration, every step of the journey is built to support your success as an internationally educated nurse in Canada.
Ontario Immigration Updates for Nurses from Ghana (2025)
If you’re planning to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, the province of Ontario offers one of the most streamlined and nurse-friendly immigration processes available. Recent updates through the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) and French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams have significantly improved access for internationally educated nurses, including those from Ghana, making the journey to permanent residency faster and more attainable.
Under Ontario Regulation 422/17 (General), the province has shifted its focus from rigid educational qualifications to prioritizing two essential requirements:
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You must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
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Your profession must fall under NOC codes: 31300, 31301, 31302, or 32101
These updates are a game-changer for Ghanaian nurses looking to transfer their nursing license to Canada in 2025, especially those aiming to practice in Ontario.
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How to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025
Step-by-Step Process to Transfer Nursing License from Ghana to Canada in 2025
Successfully navigating the Canadian immigration and licensure pathway requires a clear understanding of the steps involved. Below is a detailed, easy-to-follow guide tailored specifically for Ghanaian nurses who wish to transfer their nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025 and start a professional career in the Canadian healthcare system.
1. Assess Your Eligibility
Begin by identifying your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code—nurses are generally classified under NOC 31301 or 32101. This helps determine which immigration stream (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Express Entry, or Provincial Nominee Program) best suits your profile.
2. Demonstrate Language Proficiency
You must prove your English or French language ability through recognized tests like IELTS (Academic or General) or CELPIP. This is a crucial requirement when planning to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, as language scores impact both immigration and licensing.
3. Get Your Education and Credentials Assessed
Your nursing education from Ghana must be evaluated by an approved organization such as WES (World Education Services). This credential assessment ensures your qualifications align with Canadian standards and boosts your credibility with both immigration officers and licensing boards.
4. Create an Express Entry Profile
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, create a profile under Canada’s Express Entry system. Your profile will be ranked based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language scores. Higher-ranking candidates stand a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Tip: Consider working with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to boost your profile and avoid costly mistakes.
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Candidates with competitive profiles are issued an ITA from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This invitation allows you to officially apply for Canadian permanent residency.
6. Submit Required Documents
After receiving your ITA, gather and submit all required documents—such as your nursing degree, work experience proof, police clearance, and medical exam results—within the specified deadline. Accuracy and completeness at this stage are essential.
7. Application Review and Visa Issuance
The Canadian government will carefully review your submitted documents. If everything meets the standards, you will be granted a permanent resident visa, bringing you one step closer to transferring your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025.
8. Licensing and Registration with the CNO
Upon arriving in Canada, your next move is to apply for licensure through the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) or your provincial regulatory body. This process typically includes:
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Verifying your educational and professional credentials
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Meeting language proficiency benchmarks
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Completing any required bridging or adaptation programs
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Passing the NCLEX-RN (if applicable)
This final stage allows you to legally practice as a nurse in Canada and officially complete your transfer of nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025.
Work as a Nurse in Canada: Job Demand, Career Growth & Opportunities (2025)
Once you’ve successfully completed the process to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, you’ll find a country that not only values your skills but also urgently needs them. Canada is currently facing a national nursing shortage, and this growing demand is opening doors for internationally educated nurses from Ghana and around the world.
Nursing Demand in Canada: A Growing Opportunity
Canada’s healthcare system is under pressure due to an aging population, rapid medical innovation, and a high turnover of nursing staff. By 2030, nearly one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65, intensifying the need for qualified nurses who can provide geriatric, chronic, and long-term care. If you’re planning to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, this demographic shift plays directly to your advantage.
Canadian hospitals, long-term care homes, rehabilitation centers, and community clinics are actively recruiting both newly licensed and experienced nurses. In fact, certain provinces like Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia are offering streamlined pathways and incentives to attract international nursing professionals. As a nurse from Ghana, your experience, education, and adaptability make you a valuable addition to this expanding workforce.
Clinical Experience and Career Advancement Inside Canada
Once licensed, nurses in Canada benefit from a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and professional development. Canadian nursing programs—both pre-licensure and post-registration—emphasize real-world clinical experiences and patient-centered care. Nurses also have the opportunity to specialize in high-demand areas such as:
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Pediatric Nursing
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Geriatric Nursing
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Critical and Emergency Care
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Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
These specialties not only improve patient care outcomes but also increase your career mobility and earning potential. Whether you’re aiming to work in a busy hospital, a community-based clinic, or a private healthcare setting, the Canadian system allows for flexibility and career growth at every stage.
Nursing in Canada as a Foreign-Trained Professional
For nurses coming from Ghana, Canada represents both a career opportunity and a life upgrade. After you successfully transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, you’ll gain access to a healthcare system that is globally respected for its quality and equity. International nurses often report high levels of job satisfaction due to fair compensation, workplace respect, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on patient lives.
Thanks to technology such as electronic health records and telehealth services, the scope of nursing practice in Canada continues to evolve. Nurses are not only care providers—they are now educators, advocates, and innovators on the frontlines of preventive care. This positions you to thrive both professionally and personally once you make the transition from Ghana to Canada.
Why Canada Continues to Need Nurses in 2025 and Beyond
The demand for qualified nurses in Canada remains strong and steady. Government projections show that nursing employment is expected to grow by over 7% annually, outpacing many other sectors. Beyond the numbers, nurses are critical to national strategies around disease prevention, health promotion, and chronic illness management.
With more than 60% of chronic diseases in Canada being preventable, nurses play a vital role in early intervention and lifestyle education, helping to reduce hospital admissions and improve long-term health outcomes. If you’re looking to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, you’re stepping into a role that’s not only in high demand but also crucial to the nation’s public health mission.
Best Provinces to Work as a Nurse in Canada (2025)
Once you’ve completed the process to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, your next step is choosing the right province to launch your nursing career. While every region in Canada offers great opportunities, certain provinces have taken extra steps to attract internationally educated nurses by offering targeted immigration streams, generous CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points, and fast-tracked pathways to permanent residency.
Let’s explore the top provinces actively recruiting nurses from Ghana and other countries in 2025:
1. British Columbia (BC)
British Columbia’s Healthcare Professional stream under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a top choice for foreign-trained nurses. If you have a valid job offer, Canadian work permit, or are already registered with the nursing regulatory body, BC can nominate you—giving you up to 600 CRS points. This virtually guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Ideal for nurses seeking urban hospitals, cutting-edge healthcare tech, and fast processing times.
2. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan runs an International Health Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) pool that welcomes nurses with at least one year of post-graduate work experience and English or French proficiency. Those selected through this PNP can receive an additional 500 CRS points, significantly enhancing their Express Entry profile.
Best for nurses seeking family-friendly communities and high job demand in rural and regional healthcare.
3. Nova Scotia
On May 24, 2023, Nova Scotia invited 100 nurses to apply through its Labour Market Priorities Stream, a clear sign of ongoing demand. To qualify, candidates typically need a valid work permit and at least one year of recent experience in Nova Scotia. Successful nominees also receive 600 CRS points, providing a strong pathway to permanent residency.
Great for nurses looking to integrate into a tight-knit community with a slower-paced, high-quality lifestyle.
4. New Brunswick
The Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Program in New Brunswick is tailored to attract foreign-trained nurses like those transferring their nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025. Nurses with English or French proficiency and at least one year of work experience can apply. A nomination here provides 400 CRS points, helping strengthen your chances in the Express Entry pool.
Perfect for nurses interested in bilingual work environments and personalized immigration support.
Canada’s Targeted Express Entry Draws for Healthcare Professionals
Canada’s evolving immigration strategy now includes occupation-specific Express Entry draws, and healthcare workers—especially nurses—are a top priority. This is excellent news if you’re in the process to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, as it increases your chances of being selected based on your profession alone, even with a lower CRS score.
IELTS Score Requirements for Nurses in Canada (2025)
Proving English proficiency is a mandatory requirement for licensing and immigration. Nurses applying through Express Entry must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements in the IELTS General Training test. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | CRS Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0–7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6 |
| 10+ | 7.5–9.0 | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 6 |
➡️ For best results when trying to transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, aim for a CLB 9 or higher, especially if you’re applying without a provincial nomination.
RESOURCES
1. British Columbia PNP – Healthcare Professionals Stream https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/BC-PNP-Skills-Immigration Use this anchor text: British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)2. Saskatchewan International Healthcare Workers EOI Pool
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Use this anchor text: Saskatchewan Health Worker Immigration Pathway
3. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
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https://novascotiaimmigration.com/move-here/nova-scotia-labour-market-priorities/
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Use this anchor text: Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
FAQs
To transfer your nursing license from Ghana to Canada in 2025, you must hold a valid RN license in Ghana, meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements, complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and register with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) and your provincial nursing regulatory body such as the CNO in Ontario.
Yes, but your Ghanaian nursing degree must be assessed by an approved credential evaluation agency like WES or NNAS to ensure it meets Canadian standards. You may also need to complete a bridging program depending on your assessment results.
The full process typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on how quickly you complete your credential evaluation, language tests (e.g., IELTS), immigration steps, and licensing requirements in your chosen province.
Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick actively recruit internationally educated nurses. These provinces offer fast-track immigration pathways, targeted PNP streams, and support for foreign-trained nurses.
You typically need a minimum IELTS score equivalent to CLB 7 or higher. This means 6.0 in all four skills for basic eligibility, but higher scores (CLB 9 or 10) improve your Express Entry CRS points and boost your chances of permanent residency.
Yes, most provinces require at least one year of post-graduate nursing work experience. This experience strengthens your profile for immigration and is often a requirement for licensure and PNP nomination.
