Filipino nurse Canada application from Saudi Arabia" (+Required Translation) step by step.

Jeddah Translation Office
May 6
2 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before you start, make sure you meet the basic requirements:

Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Philippines (PRC)
Work experience as a nurse (including in Saudi Arabia)
English language proficiency (IELTS or CELBAN)
Financial ability to pay for application and translation fees

Step 2: Set Up Your NNAS Account (Credential Recognition)

NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) is the first step to verify your education and nursing credentials.

Here’s what to do:

Create an account at www.nnas.ca
Choose your nursing group (RN, LPN, or RPN) and the provinces where you plan to work
Pay the fee (around USD $650)

Step 3: Submit Required Documents to NNAS

You must gather and send documents from:

Philippines (e.g., PRC license, nursing diploma)
Saudi Arabia (e.g., Saudi Council license, work certificates)

Documents needed from Saudi Arabia:

Document	Needs Certified Translation?
Saudi Council license	✅ Yes (if in Arabic)
Employment certificate	✅ Yes (if in Arabic)
Experience letter	✅ Yes
Police clearance	✅ Yes
Contract/salary certificate	✅ Yes

🔁 Translations must be done by a certified translator recognized by Canadian authorities or NNAS. Include both the original and the certified translation.

Step 4: Submit English Test Results

You need to take and pass one of the following:

IELTS Academic: Minimum score 6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0
CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)

Send your official results to NNAS.

Step 5: Receive NNAS Advisory Report

NNAS will review your documents and give you an Advisory Report.
This report must be sent to the nursing regulatory body in the province you want to work.

Step 6: Apply to a Provincial Nursing Regulatory Body

After getting the NNAS report, apply to a province such as:

Province	Regulatory Body
Ontario	CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario)
Alberta	CRNA (College of Registered Nurses of Alberta)
British Columbia	BCCNM (BC College of Nurses and Midwives)

They may ask you to:

Take the NCLEX-RN exam
Complete a bridging program
Provide more documents or proof of experience

Step 7: Apply for Immigration to Canada

Once licensed (or conditionally accepted), apply for immigration.

You have 3 common pathways:

a. Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker Program

Create a profile online
Submit IELTS + Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Enter the pool and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

b. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Apply to a province that needs nurses
You may need a job offer
If nominated, apply for PR through IRCC

c. Work Permit with Employer Sponsorship

Find a job in Canada
Employer applies for LMIA
You apply for a work visa

Step 8: Travel to Canada and Start Working

Once your visa is approved, plan your move
Prepare your documents for Canadian border officers
Register with your provincial nursing body (if not already fully licensed)

✅ Summary of Documents That Need Certified Translation (From Saudi Arabia)

Document	Notes
Employment certificate	Must be official and translated
Saudi Council license	Include current status
Police clearance	Required for IRCC/PNP
Hospital training letters	Optional but helpful
Arabic documents	All must be translated and certified