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What pre-arrival program is available to help nurses transitioning to the Canadian workforce?

The Pre-Arrival Supports and Services (PASS) program helps prepare Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) for nursing work before they arrive in Canada. The program is for nurses who have already been approved to immigrate to Canada.

The PASS program is federally funded and offers online webinars, virtual meetings and even access to phone conversations with a mentor. Through a series of healthcare and employment-related webinars, you will learn about the Canadian healthcare system, the nursing scope of practice, and labour market information specific to nursing.

If you are an internationally educated nurse who is looking to practice in Canada, as a PASS pre-arrival program participant, you will get free guidance and support in the following areas:

information about the educational credential assessment process
unlimited personalized case management
orientation and employment-related webinars
mentorship program facilitated in partnership with the Canadian Nurses Association

Who is eligible to apply for the program?

To qualify for the PASS pre-arrival program, you must be an internationally educated nurse (IEN) who meets the following requirements:

have proof of graduation from a nursing school in your home country
have a letter of immigration confirmation of permanent residency status from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Immigration document proofs include any of the following:

an IRCC invitation to obtain pre-arrival services
confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) letter/document
a passport request letter that indicates the issuing of a Permanent Resident visa
an IRCC request that a permanent residence applicant complete a medical examination
a Single Entry Permanent Resident Visa
a Permanent Resident Visa pick-up notification letter

The program also accepts:

CUAET Temporary Resident visa holders
Foreign nationals currently outside of Canada who have been granted a temporary resident visa under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) and their dependents
Ukrainian nationals who’ve been granted a temporary resident permit

The PASS program is free and specifically designed to assist IENs in their home countries. It offers virtual support and resources to shorten the time from arrival in Canada to professional registration and employment.

To apply for the PASS program, complete their online intake form and attach scanned copies of the required documentation mentioned above. A case manager will review the application and contact you to let you know if you were accepted to the program.