How to Immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist

If you're a pharmacist who has what it takes to immigrate to Canada, then the popular question may arise: How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada as a pharmacist?

Well, this article will reveal a step-by-step process on how to apply for permanent residence in Canada as a pharmacist, the pharmacist salary in Canada, the current job prospects and in-demand jobs in Canada as a pharmacist. We will also cover the available immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.

International students or graduates interested in finding out how to become a pharmacist in Canada can add immense value to the Canadian labour market by applying to the abovementioned programs. To turn on the switches, read further.

Feel free to explore our resources on the five cheapest universities in Canada that won't break the bank here.

Let's dive into the nitty gritty details of this promising career…

Job Prospects and Pharmacist Salary in Canada


At Canadianvisa.org, you can rely on our professional immigration experts to do your visa and help you select the ideal immigration program so you can focus on landing the right job offer.

However, you may require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your Canadian employee. Find out more about LMIAs here.

You'd be pleased to know that the pharmacy industry calls for high-in-demand jobs in Canada for pharmacists (NOC 3131) from 2019 to 2028.

According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, this period will call for a whopping 12,500 new job openings for pharmacists, while 16,600 new job seekers are expected to fill the gap.

Pharmacist Salary in Canada

While Pharmacist salaries in Canada may vary from province to province, pharmacists can earn between $54,112.00 and $144,300.00 per year in Canada.

As per the data on the Canada Job Bank site, job opportunities over the next three years are ranked as "Good" in the provinces listed below:

  • Alberta: You can earn between $60,529 and $138,040.
  • British Columbia: You can earn between $68,708 and $127,387 per year.
  • Manitoba: You can earn between $75,699 and $141,059 per year.
  • New Brunswick: You can earn between $75,256 and $135,958 per year.
  • Saskatchewan: You can earn between $72,847 and $145,484 per year.

The above provinces have in-demand jobs in Canada for pharmacists, so if you're searching for jobs, you may want to consider the above provinces. On the other hand, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia Quebec are rated as "Fair" while Yukon Territory, Nunavut and Northwest Territories are rated as "Undetermined."

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist

Now that you have a good understanding of the targeting provinces, you can make plans to immigrate to Canada as a pharmacist. But first, you must understand the steps involved in how to become a pharmacist in Canada. These steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Check if You Are Eligible for the Program and Occupation
  • Step 2: Have Your Accredited Qualifications on Hand
  • Step 3: Find the Suitable Immigration Program
  • Step 4: Search for a Job and Use Legitimate Job Sites


If you are having trouble with the above steps on how to become a pharmacist in Canada, feel free to get in touch with our Canadian immigration experts, who can advise and guide you throughout the process.

The Steps Explained on How to Become a Pharmacist in Canada

Step 1: Check if You Are Eligible for the Program and Occupation

We urge applicants to conduct the necessary research when applying to an immigration program or occupation. You must ensure you meet the necessary criteria and have the right credentials to validate the information you've provided. Alternatively, you can request the help of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) to find out if you are eligible to immigrate as a pharmacist.

Step 2: Have Your Accredited Qualifications on Hand

You want to ensure that you can meet the criteria with the right qualifications and that they align with the Canadian standard.

What is an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)?

Like many other occupations that can do their ECA through companies like World Education Services, pharmacists must have their degree verified through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).

The ECA is used to prove that your qualification is equal to Canadian standards. It takes about eight weeks to get your ECA, so please consider this when you fit it into your immigration plan.

Once you apply for an ECA, you do not need to worry about the Evaluation Examination, which you will only need to take once you arrive in Canada.

You can find out more about an ECA here.

Step 3: Find the Suitable Immigration Program

Learn how to apply for permanent residence in Canada as a pharmacist and determine which immigration programs and categories you can apply under. These are as follows:

  • Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program for In-demand Jobs in Canada;
  • Express Entry Skilled Federal Worker Program; and
  • British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration for Healthcare Professionals

If you'd like to know more about the Express Entry system, click here. Additionally, you can explore our resources on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) here.

The Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program for In-demand Occupations


The Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program has an in-demand list of occupations that includes pharmacists. Because it operates under the Express Entry system, you are more likely to receive an invitation to one of the many Express Entry draws.

You must ensure that you have an excellent French language ability as more emphasis is placed on approved French test results than on English tests. If you score a seven on the Canadian Language Benchmark test for reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you could apply.

Feel free to learn more about the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test here.

Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Class

The Federal Skilled Worker Class will allow you to immigrate to Canada as a pharmacist. However, you must pass the selection criteria set out in the program - this criterion will take into account your education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability.

What Documents Do You Need?

The documents you need will vary and depend on the country you were born in or currently live in, your family members and the individual's circumstances. Below are some of the documents you may need:

  • Biometrics;
  • Medical examination by a Canadian Panel of Physician approved doctor;
  • Language tests for IELTS(International English Language Testing System) or TEF (Test d’evaluation);
  • Police Clearance Certificates;
  • ID;
  • Birth records; and
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

What's Next?

If you pass the basic requirements for the program, your application will be entered into the Express Entry pool. When you enter the pool, your application is scored using the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System), which is based on factors:

  • Language ability;
  • education;
  • occupation;
  • Provincial Nomination;
  • age;
  • valid job offer; and
  • adaptability factors

Find out what your CRS score could be with our CRS calculator.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration for Healthcare Professionals

If you are a clinical pharmacist, then you can consider applying through British Columbia's Provincial Nomination Program for Healthcare Professionals.

To get started, you need to complete an online application with the help of your immigration expert through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), which is the Government of British Columbia and apply as a Healthcare Professional. Under this program, you must:

  • Have a valid job offer from a British Columbian employer;
  • Qualify for one of the three federal programs through Express Entry;
  • qualify to work in your current occupations;
  • have at least two years of valid work experience as a clinical pharmacist; and
  • meet the minimum language requirements

Once you complete your online application on the BCPNP site, you will be given a score based on your occupation and experience. If you score high enough, you could get an Invitation To Apply (ITA) to apply to the province for permanent residence.

If you are interested in immigrating to BC, you may be interested in the five things you need to know before moving to BC.

Step 4: Search for a Job and Use Legitimate Job Sites

Below are some of the finest, highly reputable job sites you can utilize when searching for in-demand jobs in Canada:

  • Canada Job Bank
  • Jobboom
  • Glassdoor
  • Indeed

Note: Kindly note that Canadianvisa.org does not assist with job applications or finding you a job. However, we assist in finding the right immigration program or visa, assist with evaluations and advise on the processes involved in your immigration journey. Furthermore, we urge applicants to double-check the job requirements and ensure they can meet them before applying. Finally, ensure that you remain truthful in the information you provide and that all supporting documents are in place. Failure to do so will delay processing times, and your application will be returned to you.

Find out more about the IRCC processing times and what to expect after submitting your application here.

How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada with our Help

We have provided you with the relevant information when applying for permanent residence in Canada as a pharmacist, as long as you have the necessary resources you may find helpful. If you enjoy this content, simply head to Canadianvisa.org for more information on all things immigration.

So, have you decided that Canada is the perfect place for you? Get in touch with our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), and we'll be happy to explain the process and answer any questions you may have regarding your immigration journey.

FAQS

1. How can a pharmacist get PR in Canada?

The process of getting PR in Canada may vary, depending on the country and situation of the individual. However, the first step is ensuring you are eligible and qualify for the right immigration program. Our immigration experts can help you with this.

2. Can pharmacists migrate to Canada?

Yes. Pharmacists are highly in-demand in Canada, but you should target the right Canadian provinces with a shortfall of your skills.

3. Which province in Canada needs pharmacists?

As per the data on the Canada Job Bank site, job opportunities over the next three years are ranked as "Good" in the provinces listed below:

  • Alberta: You can earn between $60,529 and $138,040.
  • British Columbia: You can earn between $68,708 and $127,387 per year.
  • Manitoba: You can earn between $75,699 and $141,059 per year.
  • New Brunswick: You can earn between $75,256 and $135,958 per year.
  • Saskatchewan: You can earn between $72,847 and $145,484 per year.