Nursing Assistant / CNA jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship 2026

Nursing Assistant / CNA Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship 2026. Nursing Assistant / CNA Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship: Complete Guide for International Applicants

Canada is one of the most desirable destinations in the world for healthcare professionals — including Nursing Assistants (also known as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Health Care Aides or Personal Support Workers). With a rapidly aging population and sustained demand for skilled care workers, Canada offers excellent career opportunities and pathways to visa sponsorship and potentially permanent residency. This article walks you through everything you need to know to secure a nursing assistant job in Canada with visa sponsorship, including official application sites and eligibility requirements.

What Is a Nursing Assistant (CNA) Job in Canada?

A Nursing Assistant in Canada typically works in hospitals, long-term care homes, home-care settings, and community health centres. The role focuses on supporting nurses with hands-on patient care tasks such as:

Assisting patients with daily living activities (e.g., bathing, feeding, mobility)
Taking vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, temperature)
Helping patients move safely around facilities
Supporting nurses and other healthcare professionals during treatments
Documenting patient observations and care activities

Canada categorises these roles broadly under Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102).

Canada’s Demand for Nursing Assistants

Canada is currently experiencing increased demand for health care workers at all levels. With a growing elderly population and expanding healthcare services, nursing assistant jobs are in high demand in many provinces including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia. You can find hundreds of nursing assistant and health care assistant job postings on the Canadian government’s official job database — Job Bank Canada.

Visa Sponsorship and Work Permit: How It Works

To work in Canada as a foreign nursing assistant with visa sponsorship, you generally need:

1. A Valid Job Offer

You must receive a formal job offer from a Canadian employer willing to sponsor you. The employer may need to secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) showing that no Canadian workers were available for the position.

2. Work Permit Application

Once the employer gets a positive LMIA, you use that job offer to apply for a Canadian Work Permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Several pathways enable employers to hire foreign workers, such as:

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each program has its own eligibility guidelines.

Requirements for Nursing Assistant / CNA Jobs in Canada

1. Education and Training

To increase your chances of getting sponsorship:

Diploma or certificate in Nursing Assistant, Health Care Aide (HCA), Personal Support Worker (PSW), or a related healthcare field
Some Canadian employers accept secondary school education with healthcare training (especially for entry-level roles)

Completing a recognised PSW or HCA program is highly advantageous and often required in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

2. Work Experience

Most employers prefer candidates with at least 6 months to 2 years of experience in a clinical or caregiving setting — such as working in a hospital, nursing home, home care, or community health setting.

3. Language Proficiency

Because nurses and CNAs must interact with patients and teams:

English proficiency (and French, where applicable — especially in Quebec) is essential
Standard tests include IELTS or CELPIP for English, TEF for French

A common target is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher — though requirements can vary by employer and province.

4. Background Checks and Health Clearance

Canadian employers — and Canadian immigration authorities — often require:

Clean criminal background check
Medical examination/health clearance
Immunization records
CPR and First Aid certification (beneficial for many care roles)

5. Credential Recognition

If your training was completed outside Canada, it may need to be evaluated or recognised by provincial regulatory authorities, especially in provinces with certification requirements.

Popular Immigration Pathways for CNAs

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Under this program, employers in Canada must obtain an LMIA to hire foreign nationals. A positive LMIA increases your chance of receiving a work permit.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Many provinces (e.g., Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia) have special streams for attracting health care workers. If nominated, you can apply for Permanent Residency, which is a long-term advantage after working as a CNA.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

This program focuses on the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador). Employers in these regions can hire foreign health workers with a pathway to permanent residency.

Official Job Portal to Apply

The official and most trusted website to find nursing assistant and CNA jobs in Canada — including those that can lead to visa sponsorship — is:

Job Bank Canada (Government Site) — here

This is the central job portal used by Canadian employers to advertise open positions, including those that may require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which employers need to sponsor foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

On Job Bank, you can:

Search for Nurse Aide, Health Care Aide, Personal Support Worker, or CNA positions
Filter for employers recruiting temporary foreign workers
Save jobs and apply directly through the employer contact details
See job requirements, wages, and location information

How to Apply for Nursing Assistant Jobs With Visa Sponsorship

Here’s a step-by-step application guide:

1. Prepare Your Application Materials

Canadian-style resume — clean format highlighting nursing/healthcare skills
Cover letter tailored to the specific job
Certificates and diplomas
Language test results (if available)
Reference letters

2. Search on Job Bank Canada

Visit https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobs
and type keywords such as:

Nurse Aide
Health Care Aide
Personal Support Worker
Nursing Assistant

Filter results for employers offering jobs to temporary foreign workers.

3. Apply Directly on Employer Career Pages

Apart from Job Bank, major employers such as health authorities and hospitals maintain their own careers sites:

Fraser Health Authority (BC)
Alberta Health Services — Alberta
Unity Health Toronto — Ontario
Nova Scotia Health Authority — Nova Scotia

These organisations often post jobs that include visa support details.

4. Apply Through Recruitment Agencies

Some reputable recruitment agencies specialise in helping international candidates find CNA positions with sponsorship support. These agencies often assist with job placement and immigration paperwork.

5. Follow Up Professionally

After submitting your application, follow up via email or LinkedIn. Show professionalism and readiness to relocate and start working.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

Get extra certifications (like First Aid, CPR) — this can boost your competitiveness.
Improve English or French language scores — language ability is a key qualification.
Network with healthcare professionals and recruiters on LinkedIn to get job leads.

Canada’s healthcare landscape offers excellent opportunities for Nursing Assistants / CNAs with visa sponsorship — especially in major provinces with labour shortages. While the process requires preparation, documentation, and sometimes employer support through an LMIA, many international applicants successfully secure positions and even pursue Permanent Residency status through provincial nomination streams.

For the best and most reliable job listings, start your search on the Canada Job Bank website here.