The Canadian government welcomes individuals all over the world to be part of their Permanent Residency to bring out their contribution to the culture and economic growth.The Canadian Permanent Residency (PR)  is a permanent resident status obtained legally by immigrating to Canada. Any foreign national who is looking to work, live or study on a long term basis can apply for Permanent Residency.

A permanent resident enjoys many of the same benefits of Canadian citizens by meeting certain requirements and aspects like

• Long Term Stay for working and living.
• Access to Services like healthcare and social benefits.
• Path to citizenship to enjoy full rights and responsibilities.
• Employment opportunities.
• Educational benefits.
• Family sponsorship for reunification

Eligibility Assessment

Assessing your eligibility is the first step  to your successful PR Application Process, which are:

1. Education – ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) – WES report

A crucial document that proves your overseas dental credentials are equivalent to Canadian requirements is the ECA report.

This report is used by Canadian immigration officials to decide if you qualify for specific immigration programmes and whether you are qualified to practice dentistry in the country. Your chances of getting a license or immigration may be hampered without a favorable ECA.

 International dentists have an upper hand in the educational qualification as Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) is a 5 year degree which is considered equivalent to a professional degree in Canada. During the initial WES report, your degree will be marked as Master’s Degree in comparison to the Canadian Educational environment.

Necessity of ECA

• • Standardized Evaluation
  • Immigration Requirement
  • Licensing and Certification

Organizations for ECA

• • World Education Services (WES)
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

The Canadian immigration authorities trust WES and ICAS organizations since both have knowledge of assessing credentials from other countries. For international dentists seeking to acquire PR in Canada, picking one of these groups is an important step in the ECA procedure.

 To have this process done you provide with detailed transcripts, certificates and other necessary data that your education meets Canadian Standards.

The evaluation process takes weeks to months.The ECA authority will submit the ECA report immediately to the Canadian immigration authorities you listed on your application once the evaluation is done.

Does this mean you can practice in Canada as a Dentist?

Unfortunately not. You need to apply for a license from the provincial dental regulatory body if you want to practice dentistry in Canada. 

2. Language Proficiency

Effective communication is a key factor in dental practice and that’s why language proficiency is a crucial step in your PR process.You have to prove your language proficiency through tests like IELTS, CELPIP or TEF (for French) which shows your ability to communicate effectively. 

The minimum score for all four language modules in IELTS that is Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking must be 8,7,7,7 respectively.

3. Work Experience

During your PR processing, your work experience matters as it is a crucial factor for your eligibility assessment. The immigration authorities look for relevant work history of 1 to 3 years to ensure that you can contribute to Canadian healthcare. To avail a maximum score for the PR process, Canadie Dental recommends a minimum of 3 years of experience.

Express Entry Program

Express Entry is one of the most popular immigration pathways to Canada, and anyone who arrives through it is eligible to live and work anywhere in the country. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a route for dentists to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Dentists are classified in skill type A in the NOC (National Occupational Classification). This shows that you’re qualified for the federal immigration program as a skilled worker. According to your eligibility, you will be allotted a score known as Comprehensive Ranking system or the CRS score.

Express Entry Draws

Regular Express Entry drawings are held, and Invitations/ITAs are given to applicants with the highest CRS scores. Dentists who want to determine their prospects of earning an ITA should keep up with the most recent draw results.

The CRS score is calculated out of a total of 1,200 points. There are two key parts to it:

• •  Age, education, language proficiency, marital status and work experience are among the “core human capital factors. Up to 600 points can be derived from these elements.
  •  Additional factors can be things like having a legitimate work offer from Canada, provincial nomination, or schooling in Canada. These elements can offer extra points up to 600.

Eligibility Criteria are determined by :

• • Professional experience – You must have at least one year of work experience.
  • Language skills -You must pass a Canadian language (English or French) proficiency level test and achieve a minimum score of 7 in all four sections; read, write, listen, and speak.
  • Qualifications -You need to have your credentials assessed (WES, IQAS, ICES) to show that they are equivalent to a Canadian qualification.
  • Self Sufficiency- you should be able to take care of your expenses for initial w months until you land a job, which is why you will be showing a Fixed Deposit of 9-12 lakhs depending on your profile.
  • Eligibility- This includes not having a criminal record, being in good health, and must possess legal status in the residing country, whether you are married/unmarried.

Invitation to Apply (ITA) 

An important turning point in the PR process is getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Understanding what an ITA means for dentists and when they might anticipate receiving one is crucial. 

ITA is the 1st point of confirmation of your PR. CONGRATULATIONS on getting your PR application accepted! Everything from here on is just verification of your documents submitted and collection of your biometrics.

 Receiving ITAs depends heavily on variables like Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ratings and province nominations. Dentists might increase their prospects by working to raise their CRS scores.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Through provincial nomination processes, you can migrate to a particular Canadian province. The eligibility requirements and application process vary for each PNP.

 You can apply for a provincial nomination for Canada PR as a dentist primarily in one of two following ways:

• • One way is to apply directly to the province where you want to settle. You need to do this by setting up a profile on the province’s immigration website. Your profile will be chosen for a provincial nomination after it has been created and evaluated based on various eligibility parameters.

• • The other option is to apply through the express entry program. Candidates need to create an express entry profile, indicate their interest, and choose the province where they want to live and work. Following that, the profile is forwarded to the provincial offices for evaluation. If the profile is selected then provincial nomination will be reflected on the expression profile of the candidate.

Document Submission 

It’s time to file your documents  for your PR application once you obtain your ITA. This entails a lengthy process that includes compiling the necessary paperwork, paying fees, and going through medical tests and police checks.

Waiting Period

Application processing times for PRs can vary from as little as 4 months to 2 years.  If you are already in Canada at this time, make sure your status is legal. To stay informed, dentists should also keep a close check on the status of their applications via the online portal.

Landing in Canada 

You will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) once your PR application is accepted. You can enter Canada as a permanent resident if you have this document and an immigrant visa.The last stage after arriving in Canada, where you will be welcomed as a new permanent resident.

Provincial Licensing 

Any dentists who wish to practice in Canada as a dentist must obtain an NDEB license. The rules and regulations for dental practitioners vary by province. Researching and early initiation of the process is an important aspect of licensing.

Fastest way to be a dental licensed professional in Canada?

Canada is a great space to live and work in the long run. 

As with every other migration, the initial 2 years will be the time of ups and downs, especially for dental professionals trying to figure out what career path to pursue. 

 In this country, every job comes with a demand for certifications or licensure. As surprising as it may sound, this applies to jobs considered basic in other countries such as dog walking to the most intrinsic jobs such as medicine.

Which is why Canadie Dental recommends taking the NDAEB license, as it is the easiest way into dentistry. By holding a Canadian license the value to your resume will plummet astronomically which will be an asset during your job application. Now having said that, you need not narrow your job scope to dental assisting only. You can widen your job search to other dental jobs with the NDAEB license. (Ask us more about this)

Meanwhile, you can start preparing for this licensing as early as you get your biometrics stage or even after receiving your ITA. Feel free to reach out to us if you’re looking for NDAEB study material or equivalency services for the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) exam.

To access valuable study materials and training packages for the NDAEB written exam and CPE training, visit Canadie Dental and explore their comprehensive resources. Preparing for your Canadian Permanent Residency journey, including the NDAEB licensing process, has never been more accessible. Invest in your future with Canadie Dental’s expert guidance and study materials.