Immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist – Simple Guide

Are you a practising optometrist in your home country who wants to immigrate to Canada? If the answer is yes, then you’re on your way to a brighter future.

Basically, this post was written to assist people in learning how to immigrate to Canada as an optometrist. We’ll go over the requirements, steps, and various pathways to Canada in this article.

But, here are reasons why we believe Canada is the finest place for foreign optometrists. And, this is due to the fact that according to the data we sourced from the 2012 Canadian Survey on Condition, which revealed that 2.8 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and up have a visual disability that limits their everyday activities. As an optometrist, this means you have a lot of work to do in Canada.

Furthermore, in 2015, the number of persons aged 65 and up outnumbered those aged 0 to 14. Nearly one in every six Canadians was over the age of 65. This simply indicates that Canada is in desperate need of foreign nationals to fill vacant job positions.

More so, interestingly, depending on work experience, do you know that optometrists in Canada make an average of $51, 000 per year? This should make your tongue wagging!

By and large, Medical professions are in high demand in Canada, and healthcare experts are welcome to work and immigrate to the country. Find out how to immigrate to Canada as an optometrist by reading on!

What is the job of an Optometrist in Canada?

Similarly, you might want to ask, what do optometrists do in Canada? Great question, Let us assist you in answering this important question.

Generally, Optometrists examine and diagnose diseases and problems of the eyes. They recommend therapies such as exercises to address vision issues or ocular illnesses, as well as prescription and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses.

In addition, they work in a variety of workplaces, including private practice, clinics, and community health centres.

Examples of job titles under Optometrist in Canada

Optometrists who wish to work in Canada under this NOC category 3121 may be employed under the following job titles:

• doctor of optometry (OD)
• optometrist

Exclusion(s)

• Ocularists (See 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health))
• Ophthalmologists (See 3111 Specialist physicians)
• Opticians (3231)
• Orthoptists (See 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)

Duties/Tasks of Optometrists in Canada

Basically, Optometrists are responsible for one or more of the following tasks:

• They determine ocular health and visual efficiency, examine patients’ eyes, conduct tests, and use ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopes, and other specialized instruments such as ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopes, and other specialized instruments such as ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopes, and other specialized instruments.
• Prescribe treatment (other than surgery) to maintain, improve, and correct eyesight, as well as to manage other ocular conditions.
• Optometrists prescribe and fit contact lenses and glasses.
• Educate and advise patients on contact lens use and care, ocular cleanliness, preventive care and maintenance, illumination, working distances, and other safety considerations.
• Patients with ocular or other diseases or ailments, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, should be referred to ophthalmologists or other physicians and surgeons.

Optometrists may specialize in fitting partial-blind persons with visual aids, fitting contact lenses, or repairing vision disorders.

Employment requirements to immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist

To begin, when thinking of immigrating to Canada as an Optometrist, bear in mind that there are some employment requirements that you must first satisfy before you can move to Canada. Generally, an Optometrist should have:

• A four-year university degree in optometry and three years of university undergraduate study in mathematics and sciences are necessary.
• Licensing by a regulatory governing authority in the province or territory is required.

Pathways to immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist

In order to immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist, you can use the pathways below:

• Express entry
• Provincial Nominee Programs
• In-Demand occupations
• Job offer

1: Express entry

This is the commonest pathway for immigrants, especially skilled workers. Therefore, if you are a skilled worker, you can use any of the programs under this system. Of course, before you can use this program, you must meet the requirements for the particular program of your choice. The programs include:

• Canada experience class
• Federal skilled worker program
• Federal skilled trades program.

2: Provincial Nominee Program

In place of the express entry, you can use the provincial programs especially if you plan to live and work in a particular province. However, you must meet up the requirements for the program. In addition to that, you must also meet all the requirements for the job.

3: Job offer

The next program you can use is the job offer. This is only if you have the opportunity to get a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Therefore, if you are not able to get a job offer, you can use other programs. Moreover, even with a job offer, you can still use any other program of your choice.

4: In-demand jobs

Also, you can use in-demand jobs as a pathway to immigrate to Canada, especially if your job is among the jobs in high demand in Canada.

Steps to immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist

Many workers use the steps below to move to Canada. Therefore, as an Optometrist, you can also use them. They include:

Step 1: Create an express entry account

First of all, you must visit the IRCC website to create your own account. Without this account, you cannot receive any information from the IRCC. Moreover, the details provided in your express entry profile will be used to process your application. Therefore, you must make sure that you provide the correct information.

Step 2: Enter a program

Secondly, you have to select a program immediately after you complete your express entry registration. Of course, whatever program you choose will determine whether you can get your work permit or not. Therefore, you must meet the eligibility criteria for any program you choose. The programs include:

• Canada Experience Class
• Federal skilled trade program
• Federal skilled worker program
• Provincial Nominee programs
• Quebec Experience Class
• Quebec skilled worker program

Step 3: Find a job in Canada

Thirdly, you will have to find a job whenever possible. Though this is not compulsory, therefore, you can move to the next step even without finding a job. However, if you decide to find a job, make sure that you meet the requirements for that job. Also, make sure that your employer is allowed to employ foreign workers. Otherwise, your employment may become invalid.

Step 4: Receive an invitation to apply

Fourthly, receive an invitation to apply. Normally, only candidates who qualify can receive an invitation to apply. Therefore, you have to choose a program that fits your qualifications.

Step 5: Submit your application with supporting documents

Fifthly, once you receive the invitation to apply, you can send in your application to the IRCC. Since you have only 60 days to send your application, therefore, you must get every supporting document ready. In addition to the application and supporting documents, you must also add your application fee of CAD 150.

Step 6: Get your work permit

Sixthly, you can expect your work permit from the IRCC. However, since you will only get a message indicating that your application has been processed, you can begin to make preparations to immigrate to Canada as a water well driller.

Step 7: Arrive in Canada

Finally, you can move to Canada and start working as an Optometrist. Meanwhile, remember to collect your work permit at the Canadian port of entry.

However, if your permit is not ready upon your arrival. Do not worry. Rather, book an appointment with the immigration officer at the port of entry to know when to come back. Also, since you can’t work in Canada without a work permit, you must make sure to get it. Otherwise, you may be arrested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible for a foreign optometrist to practice in Canada?

Three things are required of a foreign-trained optometrist who intends to operate in Canada: 1) completion of the Canadian Standard Assessment in Optometry (CSAO) exam, which is administered by the Canadian Examiners in Optometry and Provincial Licensing; 2) completion of the Canadian Standard Assessment in Optometry (CSAO) exam, which is administered by the Canadian Examiners in Optometry and Provincial Licensing.

Is there a demand for optometrists in Canada?

In general, career prospects in this field are bright. In Canada, there are around 4300 optometrists, although this number is likely to rise in the coming years as the Canadian population ages, increasing the need for the number of persons seeking optometric treatments.

How can I become a licensed optometrist in Canada?

Steps to Getting Started in Canada

• Earn a Doctor of Optometry (DO) or an equivalent degree.
• Preparatory Program for Advanced Standing Optometry (ASOPP)
• Obtain a passing score on the national test.
• Register with the optometric regulatory body in your province.

Where can you find an optometrist in Canada?

Private practices, clinics, hospitals, community health centres, corporate optometry, research, teaching, and administration are all places where optometrists operate. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) gathers high-level, standardized data on 30 different groupings of healthcare workers in Canada.

Conclusion

In summary, our goal is to present you with the most up-to-date information about immigrating to Canada. As a result, if you still have questions after reading this post, you can contact us by leaving a comment in the box below.