How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Registered Nurse to Relocate to the Canada? 🇨🇦
Canada is actively recruiting nurses through Express Entry healthcare draws and provincial nominee programs. With over 21,000 registered nurse vacancies across the country, Nigerian nurses have a clear pathway to permanent residency. This guide breaks down every cost from NNAS assessment to provincial registration, with every figure verified against IRCC, NNAS, and provincial regulatory body sources as of April 2026. Note: IRCC fees increase on April 30, 2026.
🏥 Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦3.5M – ₦7.0M
Starting Salary
C$60,320/yr
Registered Nurse (2024-2025)
Nigerians Who Moved
21,000+
vacancies nationwide
Source Rank
Priority Express Entry
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1NNAS Advisory Report$650 USD (regular) / C$750 (expedited)
Submit your application to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for a competency assessment. NNAS evaluates your Nigerian nursing education, practice history, and registration against Canadian standards. Regular service takes 12 weeks after all documents are received. Expedited service takes 5 business days but requires a pre-existing course-by-course ECA report from WES or ICAS.
2English Language Test (IELTS or CELBAN)₦279,500–₦299,000 (IELTS in Nigeria)
Canadian nursing regulators accept IELTS Academic, CELBAN, OET, and PTE Academic. Ontario CNO requires: IELTS Listening 7.0, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0, Overall 7.0. CELBAN is a nursing-specific test but is only available in Canada (C$425). Most Nigerian nurses take IELTS in Nigeria first, then optionally take CELBAN after arrival.
3WES Credential Evaluation (ECA)C$264 + C$97 courier + HST (≈C$408 total)
Get your Nigerian nursing degree evaluated by World Education Services (WES) for immigration purposes. The ECA report is required for Express Entry. WES announced a 3% price increase effective January 2026. International courier delivery is recommended to avoid delays.
4Provincial Nursing Registration (Ontario Example)C$1,028 (Ontario) / C$690 (BC) / C$740 (Alberta)
Apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) or equivalent provincial body. Ontario requires: initial application fee ($489.29), jurisprudence exam ($45.20), and first-year membership ($493.81). BC charges $690 for international RN assessment (may be reimbursed via IEN Bursary). Alberta charges $236.25 account creation + $504 annual permit. Requirements vary by province based on your NNAS report.
5NCLEX-RN ExamC$360 + tax (+ $150 USD if outside Canada)
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam for registered nurses in Canada. Registration costs C$360 plus local taxes. If writing outside Canada, there is an additional international scheduling fee of $150 USD. The exam is computer-adaptive and can be taken at Pearson VUE centres. No refunds for any reason.
6Bridging Program (If Required)C$0 – C$20,215 (if required)
Depending on gaps identified in your NNAS report, your province may require a bridging program. Costs vary enormously: University of Windsor charges no tuition for their competency-bridging program, while Conestoga College charges approximately C$20,215 for international students (2-year program). Ontario offers up to C$5,000 in tuition assistance through the Bridging Participant Assistance Program. Not all nurses require bridging.
7Express Entry / PNP ApplicationC$1,610 (processing $950 + biometrics $85 + RPRF $575)
Apply for permanent residency through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) or a Provincial Nominee Program healthcare stream. Nursing (NOC 31301) is a priority occupation with dedicated healthcare draws. February 2026 healthcare draw: 4,000 ITAs issued, minimum CRS 467. Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan all have active healthcare recruitment streams. IMPORTANT: IRCC fees increase on April 30, 2026.
Other Costs to Budget For
IOM clinics in Lagos and Abuja. Recommend contacting IOM directly for exact 2026 fee.
Official source ↗Apply via POSSAP portal. Reported actual costs vary ₦35K–₦100K by location.
Official source ↗No direct flights. At least one stop. February is cheapest month.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
Canadian employers can obtain an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) to sponsor a nurse, which adds significant CRS bonus points for Express Entry. However, most employer pathways require Canadian nursing registration first. Ontario's HealthForceOntario offers temporary reimbursement of registration fees for internationally educated nurses. BC's IEN Bursary reimburses the BCCNM application fee (C$690). Over 21,000 RN vacancies exist across Canada.
What employers typically cover:
- LMIA application (C$1,000 employer-paid fee)
- Relocation assistance (varies by employer)
- Ontario: HealthForceOntario fee reimbursement for IENs
- BC: IEN Bursary reimburses BCCNM application fee
What You'll Earn: Registered Nurse (2024-2025)
Entry
C$60,320
per year
After 2 Years
C$87,588
per year
Top of Band
C$114,400
per year
Based on Job Bank Canada data. Ontario: $29–$55/hr, BC: $35–$57/hr, Alberta: $30–$54/hr. National median $43.27/hr. Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- IRCC fees increase on April 30, 2026 for all permanent residence applications. Apply before this date if possible.
- Nursing (NOC 31301) is a priority occupation for Express Entry category-based draws. February 2026 healthcare draw: 4,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 467.
- CELBAN (nursing-specific English test, C$425) is only available in Canada. Take IELTS in Nigeria before arriving.
- Not all nurses require a bridging program — it depends on gaps identified in your NNAS report.
- New IRCC requirement: minimum 1 year of work experience within the past 3 years (increased from 6 months).
- Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan all have active healthcare recruitment streams with priority processing.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Nigerian nurse to relocate to Canada in 2026?
The core costs are: NNAS assessment ($650 USD), WES credential evaluation (~C$408), IELTS (₦299,000), provincial registration (~C$1,028 in Ontario), NCLEX exam (C$360), and Express Entry application (C$1,610). Total is roughly ₦3.5M–₦7M depending on whether a bridging program is required. Flight to Toronto costs $707–$1,017 USD.
Is nursing a priority occupation for Canada Express Entry?
Yes. Nursing (NOC 31301 — Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses) is a designated priority occupation for category-based Express Entry draws. The February 2026 healthcare draw issued 4,000 invitations with a minimum CRS of 467 — significantly lower than general draws which often exceed 520.
Which Canadian province is best for Nigerian nurses?
Ontario has the most vacancies and offers fee reimbursement through HealthForceOntario. BC has no nomination cap for healthcare workers in 2026 and reimburses BCCNM application fees. Alberta offers the highest median pay ($47.50/hr) with priority AAIP processing. Saskatchewan actively targets nurses through SINP.
Do I need to take CELBAN or can I use IELTS?
Canadian nursing regulators accept both IELTS Academic and CELBAN, plus OET and PTE Academic. CELBAN is a nursing-specific test but is only available in Canada (C$425). Most Nigerian nurses take IELTS in Nigeria first (₦279,500–₦299,000), then optionally take CELBAN after arriving in Canada.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse in Canada from Nigeria?
The typical timeline is 12–18 months. NNAS assessment takes 12 weeks (regular service). Provincial registration takes 2–6 months. Express Entry processing targets 6 months. If a bridging program is required, add 1–2 years. Start your NNAS application and IELTS preparation simultaneously to save time.
What salary can a Nigerian nurse expect in Canada?
The national median is C$43.27/hr (~C$90,000/yr). Entry-level in Ontario starts around C$29/hr (~C$60,000/yr). BC pays C$35–$57/hr, Alberta C$30–$54/hr. Salaries have been rising due to the nationwide nursing shortage of 21,000+ vacancies.
Sources & Verification
Every figure on this page was independently verified on 2026-04-09. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
Medical exam fee in Nigeria sourced from secondary aggregator (abroadcube.com) — IOM official PDF returned 403 error. Contact IOM Nigeria directly for exact 2026 fee.
Police clearance fee: POSSAP portal lists ₦30,000 but actual costs vary widely by location.
Bridging program costs vary enormously by institution and international vs domestic student status.
IRCC fees increase April 30, 2026 — figures shown are pre-increase rates.
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.