A few days ago, I shared a simple post on my page. It was a testimony from one of us — a sister who moved from Nigeria straight into Canada’s healthcare system as a Healthcare Assistant.
She didn’t use agents.
She didn’t gamble with fake offers.
She followed a real, legal pathway.
And when I shared her message, my inbox exploded.
People kept asking:
👉 How did she do it?
👉 Which province?
👉 Which program?
👉 Is IELTS required?
👉 Can family move?
👉 How much is the salary?
So today, I’m breaking it ALL down for you — step by step — in plain English.
If your goal is to move to Canada in 2026 as a healthcare worker, this article is for you.
This is Owafk from Owafk Africa — and here, we don’t sell dreams.
We show you real pathways you can actually use.
What Is the Healthcare Assistant Program in Canada?
Let’s start from the basics.
In Canada, Healthcare Assistants are also called:
• Personal Care Attendants (PCA)
• Health Care Aides
• Nurse Assistants
• Support Workers
They work in:
✔ Hospitals
✔ Nursing homes
✔ Long-term care facilities
✔ Assisted living centers
These workers are the backbone of Canada’s healthcare system — and Canada is seriously short of them.
The Two Main Job Codes (NOC)
Canada classifies jobs using NOC codes.
For healthcare assistants, there are two:
1️⃣ NOC 33102
Nurse aides, orderlies & patient service associates
They work in:
• Hospitals
• Long-term care homes
• Clinics
👉 This is the OPEN pathway for foreign workers right now.
2️⃣ NOC 44101
Home support workers
They go into people’s private homes.
⚠️ This pathway is currently closed for direct foreign recruitment.
So your focus should be NOC 33102 — and that requires completing a Personal Care Assistant / Support Worker Program in Canada.
The Province Behind This Opportunity: Newfoundland & Labrador 🇨🇦
Now here’s where the magic happens.
The province behind this success story is Newfoundland and Labrador, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
This province has:
✔ An aging population
✔ A massive shortage of care workers
✔ Urgent demand for healthcare assistants
So what did they do?
They introduced:
• Sponsored training
• Faster work permits
• Easier PR pathways
• Government bonuses
That’s how someone can move from:
Nigeria → Canada → Straight into work
How the Program Really Works (Study → Work → PR)
Let me explain it in simple terms.
There are two ways:
🔹 Option 1: Blended Program (Like the Lady Did)
• Study part online from your home country
• Get interviewed by Canadian employer
• Get work permit
• Travel to Canada on work visa
• Finish internship in Canada
• Start working immediately
⚠️ That organization is currently on WAITLIST.
So instead…
🔹 Option 2: Study in Canada → Work → PR (Recommended for 2026)
This is the safest and most open route right now:
✔ You apply to a school in Newfoundland
✔ You come to Canada as a student
✔ You study the Healthcare Assistant program
✔ You do internship (co-op)
✔ You get hired
✔ You move to PR
This is the pathway many are using right now.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
You can apply if:
✔ You have at least high school certificate (WAEC / NECO / GCE)
✔ You can speak basic English
✔ You’re willing to work in healthcare
✔ You’re ready to relocate
There is:
❌ No age limit
❌ No nursing degree required
You don’t need to be a nurse.
You just need to be trainable and serious.
IELTS & English Requirements
Most schools accept:
• IELTS Academic or General
• Some accept Duolingo
• Some do internal assessment
If you’re from:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇬🇭 Ghana
🇰🇪 Kenya
Some schools waive IELTS.
Always confirm on the school’s website.
Salary & Government Bonuses (This Is the Sweet Part 💰)
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the government offers:
✔ $5,000 CAD bursary after graduation
✔ $4,300 CAD bonus after 1 year of work
That’s:
➡️ $8,300 CAD in your pocket
Now guess what?
The program fee is about $8,700 CAD.
So after bonuses, you’ve almost recovered your tuition.
It’s like studying almost for free.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Let’s break it down like cooking rice 🍚
🥣 Step 1: Choose a School
Two main schools offering this program:
✔ College of the North Atlantic (CNA)
✔ Academy Canada
Program name:
Personal Care Attendant / Healthcare Assistant
🥣 Step 2: Apply Online
Go to the school website
Click Apply Now
Select:
• Program = Personal Care Attendant
• Start Date = 2026 intake
🥣 Step 3: Upload Documents
You’ll need:
✔ Passport
✔ WAEC / NECO / GCE
✔ CV
✔ English test (if required)
🥣 Step 4: Pay Application Fee
Usually:
💵 $100 CAD (non-refundable)
🥣 Step 5: Receive Offer Letter
If approved → School sends LOA (Letter of Acceptance)
🥣 Step 6: Apply for Visa
Because the program has internship, you apply for:
✔ Study Permit
✔ Co-op Work Permit
Then IRCC processes your visa.
Can You Move With Your Family?
YES 👨👩👧👦
✔ Your spouse gets open work permit
✔ Your children go to public school for free
You move as a family unit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let me be honest with you.
Most people fail not because the pathway is fake — but because they make mistakes.
Avoid these:
❌ Waiting too long
❌ Missing deadlines
❌ Using fake bank statements
❌ Applying without full documents
❌ Not understanding visa type
Don’t play with your future.
Why Canada Is Still One of the Best Places for Healthcare Workers
Canada is not joking about healthcare.
They NEED workers.
And Newfoundland is one of the easiest provinces right now because:
✔ Fewer people
✔ High demand
✔ Fast employment
✔ Strong PR programs
If your dream is to relocate in 2026, this is one of the strongest legal routes available.
Final Advice from Owafk
Let me talk to you like family now.
Opportunities don’t last forever.
Canada’s healthcare shortage is real — but it won’t always be this open.
If you’re serious about:
✔ Leaving Africa legally
✔ Working in healthcare
✔ Securing PR
Then this is a door you should not ignore.
You can:
• Apply yourself
• Or get proper guidance
But don’t sleep on it.
📌 Official Program & School Links (Canada – Personal Care Attendant)
🔗 College of the North Atlantic – Personal Care Attendant Program
https://www.cna.nl.ca/program/personal-care-attendant
🔗 CNA Online Application Page (All Programs)
https://www.cna.nl.ca/application/By_Program.aspx
🔗 Academy Canada – Personal Care Attendant Program (Program Page)
https://www.academycanada.com/faculty-of-health-and-personal-care/personal-care-attendant/
🔗 Academy Canada – International Students Info & How to Apply
https://www.academycanada.com/admissions/international-students/
