Iraqi pharmacist to migrating to Canada

You are a registered pharmacist from Iraq looking to move and practice as a licensed pharmacist in Canada.

If you’re looking to immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist you’re in luck! Pharmacists are in demand right across Canada and you may be able to secure a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa either with or without a job offer. If you are a Pharmacist and have been working as a Pharmacist you may qualify to immigrate to Canada.

Every occupation on the Canada NOC List is assigned an immigration code and the code for those looking to emigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist is 3131. This is also known as the NOC Code for Industrial Pharmacists.

No doubt you will have read online that having a job offer to move to Canada is a prerequisite to accessing the Express Entry process but as a Pharmacist, you also have other options to secure your Canada Visa from the start.

For starters, Pharmacists are eligible to apply for Canada Immigration under the Canadian Government’s Immigration program due to the demand for Pharmacists in Canada being so great they have included the occupation on the targeted occupations list, known as the NOC list (National Occupation Code In-Demand List).

The code for Pharmacists on the NOC is 31120.

Steps to immigrating

  1. Check your B.Pharm / Degree is eligible – foreign degrees will be accredited when you apply for the immigration or short-term work visa.
  2. Obtain a visa – this is made easier by the Canadian government including pharmacists in their Federal Skilled Worker Class list allowing for “express entry” which bypasses the Evaluation Exam listed below.
  3. Document Evaluation (ECA) – this is performed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). Documents required include:
    • Degree certificate
    • Proof of British registration
    • Statement of good standing from the General Pharmaceutical Council
  4. Take the PEBC Evaluating Exam – once your documents are approved you can sit the evaluating and subsequent qualifying exams.
  5. Take the PEBC Qualifying Exam – this exam allows you to register as a pharmacist in Canada.