Frequently Asked Questions

• The pathway for an internationally-educated nurse to become a nurse in Canada can be complex. The College is proud to be the experts guiding our students through this pathway for over 20 years. Our programs are specifically designed to support students in every step in the Canadian nursing registration process, and set our students up for success. Watch the short video above to get a summary of the registration process in Canada.

The College has had wonderful success with the NCLEX. We’ve seen a 100% pass rate so far for all College students who have written the Canadian NCLEX-RN

• Our College is located in the city of Richmond, a bustling suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics and has been rated as one of the world’s best cities to live in year after year. Our College is conveniently located just 5 minutes from the Vancouver International Airport, 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and walking distance to the Canada Line Skytrain station, bus stops, the Olympic Oval, major shopping areas, dining and recreation.

• The health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty are of utmost priority at the College.  We have created a robust safety plan and implemented measures that will minimize the risk of COVID-19 at the College.  Please read our COVID update here.

The classroom portions of the programs offered at the College have been temporarily moved to online virtual platforms due to access credibility before enrolling.  Nursing labs, however, are required to be onsite at the College.  These hands-on skills require students to be onsite at the college. 

• Your tuition fee will depend on which program you qualify for. Please review our Programs on our website as each program page has a list of tuition fees required which includes all our program details, start dates, tuition fees, program requirements, and more.

Since the College was founded in 1999, 95% of our students who have written a Canadian nurse licensing exam have successfully passed, and 94% of our graduates have secured employment within 1 month of graduation. Furthermore, the majority of these students gained employment even prior to graduation.

That said, competition can be tough in the major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Students who are flexible and willing to work outside major cities or in more rural areas greatly improve their chances of securing employment quickly. OMNI graduates are now working all across Canada, including in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, New Foundland and Prince Edward Island.

We accept IELTS Academic, CELBAN, or equivalent [i].

Other English proficiency tests that may be considered ‘equivalent’ are TOEFL, MELAB, the College’s English Proficiency Test (must be completed onsite at the College) and others. Please consult with your Advisor if you have taken a different English proficiency test that you would like the College to consider for your application.

Kindly note that the College does not accept IELTS General scores.

[i] Please note: The admission requirements state the minimum requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not automatically granted admission. Depending on the interview results, further assessment may be required.

Yes. CLB scores may be considered as an ‘equivalent’ English proficiency score for admission to the College. However, depending on the score and how long ago the test was taken, applicants may be asked to undergo further testing or assessment through a phone interview or an actual test. Your success is our priority, so it is important that all applicants granted admission to our College are accepted with the appropriate level of skills and language [i].

[i] Please note: The admission requirements state the minimum requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not automatically granted admission. Depending on the interview results, further assessment may be required.

• The NCLEX-RN replaced the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) in January 2015. If you have already passed your NCLEX from the USA, please consult directly with your Advisor.

Although test preparation is included in the Canadian Nursing Review programs, our programs are not just about propping you up to pass the licensing exam. Our programs are designed to prepare students to be successful in the workplace as Nurses in Canada. Students who wish to pursue their RN license can opt for the NCLEX-RN test prep course when they reach that portion of their program, or they can choose the CPNRE preparation for LPN/RPN registration. It is the students’ choice which designation they want to pursue. Our Advisors and instructors are also available to guide you throughout your studies based on your work experience and performance in your program.

All students, however, enrolling in our Canadian Nursing Review programs must already be registered as an RN (not LPN/RPN) from their country of origin.

For residents of Canada: The College is designated by financial institution in Canada, which means that financial assistance may be available to eligible students.

In the past, many of our students have been able to bring their families. However, it should be noted that students are not automatically eligible to do so. We recommend you consult with a licensed immigration consultant to determine whether bringing your family with you right away is the best decision or not.

It is important that students choose the path that will allow them best to stay focused and the least distracted during their studies. Whether that means coming alone first, or together with family, is unique to each individual. This will ensure the student can become successful in Canada and remain here/bring their families permanently when the time is right for them

Upon graduation, many of our graduates (including our international students) decide to either continue working as a nurse in Canada and settle permanently as Permanent Residents in Canada, travel to other countries, or return home with their Canadian work experience. Since the College was founded in 1999, the majority of the graduates, including international students, have opted to stay and settle in Canada.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is a national program that is currently only available to students who graduate from public institutions or degree-granting institutions. the College is a private institution.

However, even without the PGWP, our students have achieved the right to stay in Canada after graduation by becoming a licensed nurse. By obtaining a nursing job, students then qualify for numerous Permanent Residency pathways in multiple provinces across the country.

The majority of internationally-educated nurses who have come to the College and who have chosen to stay in Canada after graduation have successfully done so. They have been doing so for more than 20 years since the College was first founded, and they continue to do so – because they have achieved their Canadian nursing license. Very few have opted to return to their home country.

There is a common misconception that many people mistakenly believe that in order to stay in Canada after graduation you must get a Post Graduate Work Permit. This is not true.

While a PGWP does allow you to stay in Canada for up to 3 years after you graduate, it does not make you a Canadian nurse, and it does not allow you to stay permanently.

Without being able to actually achieve your Canadian nursing license, staying in Canada will likely only be temporary.

International students who have a goal of staying in Canada after graduating should prioritize these steps:

• Your 1st priority is to get the training you need from the right school to achieve your Canadian nursing license.
• Then, 2nd – with that license, you will obtain a nursing job in Canada.
• With a job as a nurse, you can qualify for Permanent Residency and remain in Canada.

• Generally speaking, student permits are usually granted for the same duration as the length of the program they are enrolled in.

Yes. The College is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) under the International Student Program (ISP) approved by the Government of Canada. International students enrolled in our Canadian Nursing Review programs are eligible to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during studies, and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks, without a work permit.

Once you have received your formal Letter of Acceptance from the College you may apply for your study permit. Processing times vary widely from country to country. We recommend you apply to the College at least 4 months prior to your desired start date so that you have enough time for study permit processing. Please visit the Government of Canada’s web page for processing times for study permit applications submitted to visa offices outside Canada. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/students.asp

• When and how long will it take to process my study permit?

Thus far, students applying to the College have generally experienced a very high approval rate for visas. However, if your visa is rejected, we encourage all applicants to refer to the Refusal Letter to determine the reasons for the rejection, and then to try and resubmit. Sometimes, students applying to the College have successfully received their visa approval after their second or third resubmission.

Yes. If your visa is rejected and you decide not to pursue a resubmission, you will receive a refund of your tuition and fees. The amount refunded is determined based on the Tuition Refund Policy, please click here.

If you resubmit a second time, and your visa is rejected by Immigration Canada again, you can provide the College with a copy of the refusal letters for each occurrence and you will be eligible for a full tuition refund.

If you plan to study in a program for more than 6 months, you need a study permit; but if you plan to study in a short-term program of 6 months or less, you do not need a study permit. That being said, it is possible for you to apply for enrolment into one or even two of the College’s short programs, such as the CELBAN™ Test Preparation (4 weeks), IELTS Test Preparation (8 weeks) and/or Medical Terminology and Communication (18 weeks), all while holding a visitor’s visa.

Please note it is a good idea to apply for a study permit if you think you might want to study in another the program after you complete your short term program.

International students who wish to enroll in a program longer than six months require study permit from the Canadian government under the International Student Program. For more information on study permits, go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp

• We can provide guidance to help you get started with your application for a study permit. We can also refer you to a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with proven experience in processing students, should you wish to have your study permit or any other immigration-related matters processed on your behalf (fees apply). Please speak with your Advisor for more details.

NNAS stands for the National Nursing Assessment Service of Canada. It is a partnership of all the nursing regulatory bodies across Canada (with the exception of Quebec and the Territories) that offers a one-stop assessment service for Internationally-Educated Nurses applying for registration in Canada. All Internationally-Educated Nurses must first apply through NNAS.

Visit www.nnas.ca for more information.