Canada has a significant labor shortage of medical sonographers. This provides an opportunity for qualified foreign health workers to apply for Canada PR Visa and get permanent residence through occupation-targeted Express Entry draws. As per the stats, there are around 6,900 new jobs to open for medical sonographers in Canada between 2022 and 2031. If you have relevant experience and skills, it will be easier for you to immigrate to Canada within 90 days. Though it is an ambitious goal, but with the right approach, it is completely doable.
Scroll down to find out eligibility criteria, immigration pathways, and step-by-step process.
Job Requirements
Canadian immigration authorities assess your profile as per your education, work experience, age, language skills, health, and other factors. Therefore, to qualify for immigration as a sonographer in Canada, you must check eligibility for Canada PR and obtain the required points.
Here are the eligibility requirements to move to Canada as a sonographer –
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Educational Qualifications
You must have completed 3 to 4 years of the program in diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology. Otherwise, you must have a 2 to 3-year program completed in a similar allied health field and a 1-year post-diploma program in diagnostic medical sonography from an accredited institution.
Further, you must have adequate knowledge and skills in areas like ultrasound physics, patient care, and anatomy.
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Language Proficiency
To apply for Canada PR through Express Entry, you need to prove your language skills. For that, you must take the IELTS test for English or TEF for French.
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Work Experience
Having relevant work experience as a sonographer will increase your chances of obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR. Different immigration programs may require different minimum numbers of years of experience.
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Professional Certification
Here are the certificates that your employer in Canada may require from you as a sonographer –
- Registration with Sonography Canada and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
- To work in Quebec, registration with l’Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec is required.
- To work in Ontario, registration with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO) is required.
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Health and Character Requirements
You must undergo a medical examination and demonstrate good character through police clearance certificates to get an invitation to apply.
Pathways to Apply for Canada PR as a Sonographer
Choosing the right immigration pathway for permanent residence is important. Thankfully, Canada has quick routes to PR for sonographers.
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Express Entry
This is a point-based system that attracts candidates to meet the labor shortages and economic needs of Canada. Express Entry evaluates your profile on your age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors and gives you points as per which you are issued an invitation to apply. Sonographers may qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – immigration streams within Express Entry.
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Provinces in Canada have unique programs tailored to the labor and economic needs of that specific region. They invite candidates with specific skills, including sonographers, to become permanent residents and contribute to the province’s economic development. You must research and identify the provinces with high demand for sonographers and apply for a PNP nomination.
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Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)
Another way to move to Canada as Sonographer is Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP). This program is a combination of Atlantic provinces like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which aims to address labor market needs in the region and thus, invite hundreds of skilled healthcare workers every year.
Job Titles and Prospects
Listed below are the job titles that Sonographers in Canada may work under –
- Diagnostic medical sonography instructor
- Medical sonographer
- Medical sonographers supervisor
- Registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
- Ultrasound technologist
also Read: What English language tests do Canadian institutions accept?
Step-by-Step Immigration Process for Canada PR
If you are planning to apply for permanent residency, there are numerous jobs in Canada for Indians, especially healthcare professionals. However, to successfully immigrate to Canada, you need to follow the step-by-step application process, listed below.
Step 1 – Get ECA Done: Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a reputed organization to verify the equivalency of your educational credentials to Canadian standards.
Step 2 – Take the Language Test: Take an approved language test – IELTS for English or TEF for French – to prove your proficiency and get the required scores.
Step 3 – Create an Express Entry Profile: Go to the official website of the Government of Canada to create your profile within the Express Entry system. Include relevant information about your age, education, work experience, and others.
Step 4 – Receive an ITA: If your profile is selected from the Express Entry pool, IRCC will send you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to apply for Canada PR.
Step 5 – Submit your PR Application: It is time to submit a completed application for permanent residence within the given timeframe.
Step 6 – Apply for provincial nomination (if applicable): If you are applying for a PNP, meet the eligibility criteria of that province and obtain a nomination.
Step 7 – Get a Medical Exam and Police Clearance: Undergo a medical examination approved by a panel physician. Further, obtain a police clearance certificate to prove your clean background.
Step 8 – Await Visa Approval: Once the application is submitted, wait for the immigration authorities to process and approve the visa. Between 5 to 8 months, you will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to start your career as a sonographer in Canada.
By ensuring eligibility criteria, choosing the right immigration pathway, and following the stepwise process, aspiring sonographers can start their professional journey and personal lives in Canada within a 90-day timeframe.
To ensure a smooth immigration process, connect with the qualified experts at Nationwide Visas, the Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi. They are equipped with everything you need to successfully move to Canada within 90 days.
Start your process today!
