Around 19,500 psychologists work in Canada, however, this is not enough to meet the growing demand for mental health professionals across the country.
Research by Statistics Canada reveals that nearly one out of every five people over 12 years of age living in Canada who were surveyed indicated a desire to receive mental health services.
There are thousands of psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners who satisfy the eligibility requirements for the profession and Canadian immigration.
This article will discuss how to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, Canadian job opportunities, salaries for psychologist jobs in Canada and related topics, so continue reading to learn the essential details!
Table of Contents
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Psychologist?
In order to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, you will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for Canadian immigration and to legally work in Canada as a psychologist, you must generally satisfy the criteria of the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body.
Canadian immigration programs for psychologists include the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program
The general requirements to work in Canada as a psychologist include:
- Relevant Education:
- A Doctorate Degree in Psychology is needed to be designated as a psychologist in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
- A Master’s Degree in Psychology is necessary to be designated as a psychologist in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan.
- Supervised Practical Experience – Most jurisdictions in Canada require supervised practical experience.
- Written Examination – The majority of jurisdictions require psychologists to pass the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Oral Examination – Some Canadian provinces require psychologists to pass a board interview and oral examinations.
- Licensing and Professional Certification – Psychologist is a regulated occupation in most parts of Canada requiring licensing and professional certification by the provincial or territorial regulatory body where the psychologist wants to work in Canada (further details can be found on the website of the relevant regulatory body):
- Alberta – College of Alberta Psychologists
- British Columbia – College of Psychologists of British Columbia
- Manitoba – Psychological Association of Manitoba
- New Brunswick – College of Psychologists of New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador – Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board
- Northwest Territories – Government of Northwest Territories Registrar of Psychologists
- Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology
- Ontario – College of Psychologists of Ontario
- Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island Psychologists Registration Board
- Quebec – Ordre des Psychologues du Québec
- Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
Please note that some of the requirements to work in Canada as a psychologist do not have to be satisfied in order to be approved to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, however, they will ultimately need to satisfied before an individual can legally work in Canada as a psychologist.
Immigration Programs for Psychologists
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
- At least 67 out of 100 points needed for: education, experience, English/French, age, job offer, and adaptability
- Need at least one year of full-time paid work experience during the previous 10 years in an eligible occupation
- Must score the equivalent of CLB 7 for English or NCLC 7 for French on an approved evaluation test
- A favorable Education Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed if education was received outside of Canada
- The skilled foreign worker must show Proof of Funds to support himself/herself and family in Canada
- Good health, good character and other criteria must be satisfied and the governmental fees need to be paid
- Application for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is done by creating an online Express Entry profile
- An Invitation to Apply (ITA) must be received in order to apply for Canadian permanent residency
- A decision is usually made within six months after the Canadian permanent residency application was filed
Provincial Nominee Program:
- Eleven Canadian provinces and territories have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Each province/territory that participates in the PNP creates its own eligibility requirements
- The foreign worker generally must have an eligible occupation that is in-demand in the province/territory
- A certain level of English or French language skills is normally required (each PNP has its own criteria)
- The foreign worker must be able to support himself/herself and family after moving to Canada
- Good health, good character and other criteria need to be satisfied and the governmental fees must be paid
- A foreign worker will generally apply to the PNP of a province/territory where he/she wants to live in Canada
- If a provincial nomination is issued, the foreign worker can apply for Canadian permanent residency
- Once approved for Canadian immigration, the foreign worker will live and work in nominating province/territory
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program
- At least 50 points are required for a single person or 59 points for an applicant who has a spouse/partner
- Points can be earned for education, French/English, age, spouse/partner characteristics, age, qualifying job offer in Quebec, work experience, having children, having family who live in Quebec or previous stay in Quebec (for example, as an international student), and possessing sufficient financial resources
- A foreign worker must demonstrate that he or she has at least intermediate French language skills
- The first step is to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Quebec’s online Arrima portal
- If an invitation is received, the foreign worker can apply for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
- After receiving the CSQ, the foreign worker can apply for Canadian permanent residency
- Good health, good character and other criteria must be satisfied and the governmental fees must be paid
- If the federal Canadian immigration agency approves the applicant for permanent residency in Canada, he or she will live and work in the province of Quebec
How to Find a Job in Canada?
It is forecast that there will be 18,800 available jobs in Canada for psychologists between now and 2031 and the major shortage of qualified psychologists is expected to continue during this same time period.
The Canadian job prospects for psychologists are “very good” in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, according to Canada’s government.
There are also “good” Canadian job prospects for psychologists in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
In order to legally work in Canada as a psychologist, an individual must meet the requirements of the regulatory body for psychologists in the province or territory where he or she wants to work (this will usually require professional certification and licensure).
One way to apply for psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners is to use online job search platforms.
Another Canadian job-seeking method is to create an online LinkedIn profile in order to network with others in the profession.
Employment recruitment agencies can help find psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners using their network of employers.
Where Are Psychologists Paid the Most in Canada?
The national median income (i.e., half-way between the highest and lowest amount earned) for psychologists working in Canada is $43.50 CAD per hour, which is about $6,960 per month or around $83,520 CAD per year.
How much psychologists earn in Canada will be affected by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they are in private practice, employed by a hospital, work for a school or other public agency, etc.
The provinces and territories where psychologists are paid the most in Canada are:
- Quebec = median wage of $49.00 CAD per hour
- Alberta = median wage of $48.08 CAD per hour
- Manitoba = median wage of $45.55 CAD per hour
- Yukon Territory = median wage of $43.74 CAD per hour
- Saskatchewan = median wage of $43.27 CAD per hour
Conclusion
There are thousands of psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners to choose from and it is forecast that around 18,800 psychologist job openings will need to be filled between now and 2031.
The very best job prospects for psychologists are in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, while the highest median wages for psychologists are in Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon Territory and Saskatchewan.
If you want to move to Canada as a psychologist, you will generally need to be approved for a Canadian immigration program, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Program, or Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program.
Before you can legally work in Canada as a psychologist, you will generally need to satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where you will be employed (this usually results in becoming professionally certified and licensed).
In addition to the opportunity to earn a good living in Canada as a psychologist, when you become a Canadian permanent resident there are many benefits you can receive such as:
- Living in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
- Working in Canada for an unlimited time period
- Receiving free or subsidized public healthcare
- Gaining access to Canadian education programs
- Traveling to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Sponsoring eligible family members for a Canadian visa
- Having the opportunity to buy a home and/or start a business in Canada
- Possessing equality and freedoms protected by law in Canada
- Getting the chance to visit beautiful beaches, parks, forests, mountains, lakes, etc.
- Applying for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for 3 out of 5 years and meeting other criteria
The first step of the procedure is to find out which Canadian immigration program you are eligible to apply for.
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.
The services offered by Canadian Visa Experts help to simplify the complex immigration process for you and your family, make sure that your forms are filed correctly and you can get answers to questions you have about your particular case.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Can a foreign psychologist practice in Canada?
Yes, a foreign psychologist can work in Canada, however, he or she will need to (1) be approved for Canadian immigration and (2) satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where the psychologist wants to practice. Psychologist is a regulated profession in most parts of Canada, usually requiring an individual to complete the process to become professionally certified and licensed before being able to legally work in Canada as a psychologist.
Is psychologist in demand in Canada?
Yes, there is a growing demand for psychologists throughout Canada. It is forecast that 18,800 psychologist jobs in Canada will need to be filled between now and 2031. The very best job prospects for psychologists are in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. There are also good prospects for psychologist jobs in Canada’s provinces of Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Is it hard to get a job as a psychologist in Canada?
Finding psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners is relatively easy due to the growing demand for psychologists throughout the country. Since psychologist is a regulated profession in most parts of Canada, a foreign psychologist will generally need to satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where he or she wants to work in Canada. This will normally require them to complete the process to become professionally certified and licensed to practice psychology in the province or territory. Of course, a foreign psychologist will also need to legally live and work in Canada, which means he or she must be approved for Canadian immigration.
Are psychologists paid well in Canada?
Yes, psychologist is one of the highest-paid occupations in Canada. The national median income (i.e., half-way between the highest and lowest amount earned) for psychologists working in Canada is $43.50 CAD per hour, which is about $6,960 per month or around $83,520 CAD per year. The amount that psychologists earn in Canada will be influenced by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they are in private practice, employed by a hospital or school, etc.
How much do licensed psychologists make in Canada?
According to the Canadian government, the national median income (i.e., half-way between the highest and lowest amount earned) for psychologists working in Canada is $43.50 CAD per hour, which is about $6,960 per month or around $83,520 CAD per year. How much a psychologist earns in Canada will be affected by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they are in private practice, employed by a hospital or school, etc.
Can I use my psychology degree in Canada?
If your education was received outside of Canada, you will generally need to get a favorable Education Credential Assessment (ECA). The ECA is conducted by an approved organization that assesses whether a person’s education obtained outside of Canada is comparable to an education received inside of Canada. The ECA can be applied for before you apply to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist. In terms of using your psychology degree in Canada, you will also need to be approved for Canadian immigration and satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where you want to practice psychology. Some Canadian provinces generally require a Doctorate Degree in Psychology, while other provinces require a Master’s Degree in Psychology in order for a person to apply to become a psychologist. Individuals with recognized degrees in psychology can also work in business, teach at colleges and universities, etc.
What is the average salary of a psychologist in Canada?
The average salary for a psychologist in Canada is approximately $100,206 CAD per year. Psychologist salaries range from about $69,343 CAD per year to around $122,151 CAD annually. How much a psychologist earns in Canada will be affected by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they have a private practice, are employed by a hospital or school, etc.
