If you are in Canada and looking for a quick, low-cost pathway to Permanent Residency (PR), the Pharma Assistant short course might be the perfect option for you. Unlike traditional courses that take 6 months and cost between $6,000 to $7,000, this course can be completed in just 2 months with a tuition fee of around $1,900. More importantly, it leads directly to work opportunities and makes you eligible for special category Express Entry draws after gaining Canadian work experience.
At Globexa Immigration, we specialize in guiding applicants toward such short programs that not only save time and money but also directly support your PR journey.
1. Why Choose the Pharma Assistant Short Course?
Time-Saving: Complete the program in only 2 months.
Low-Cost: Tuition is just $1,900, payable in installments.
Job Placement Support: Partner colleges, like Central College (Mississauga campus), help graduates secure jobs immediately.
PR Pathway: After gaining just 6 months of full-time work experience (30 hours per week), you become eligible for special healthcare category draws in Express Entry.
This makes it one of the fastest and most affordable options to build a career in Canada while opening doors to PR. Globexa Immigration assists you in admission, paperwork, and planning your PR strategy effectively.
2. Course Details
Program: Pharmacy Assistant Certificate
Duration: 2 months (can be completed sooner)
Tuition Fee: $1,900 (no application fee, payable in two installments)
Mode of Study: Online (accessible anywhere in Canada)
Exam & Certification: Final exam with recordings available for missed classes
Placement Support: Strong employer connections inside and outside the GTA
Each month, a new batch begins—so you can enroll anytime without waiting a whole semester. Globexa Immigration can help you secure your seat quickly and guide you through the admission process.
3. How It Leads to PR
The course itself won’t give you PR directly. The key is work experience. Here’s how the process works:
Complete the Pharma Assistant Certificate (2 months).
Secure a Job through college placement support.
Gain 6 Months of Full-Time Canadian Experience (30 hrs/week).
Apply under Express Entry Healthcare Category Draws.
This strategy allows you to become eligible for special category draws in less than 8 months (2 months study + 6 months work). With Globexa Immigration, you get complete assistance in preparing for these PR applications.
4. Eligibility to Enroll
Open Work Permit Holders (Spousal Open Work Permit, Post-Graduate Work Permit).
Visitor Visa / Closed Work Permit: You can study, but the course won’t help unless you are legally allowed to work in Canada.
Outside Canada Applicants: Not useful, as you cannot gain the required Canadian work experience.
Important: The short course is only beneficial if you can legally work in Canada, as experience is what counts toward PR. At Globexa Immigration, we guide you in understanding whether this pathway fits your current status.
5. PR Pathways After the Course
1. Express Entry – Special Category Draws
Pharmacy Assistant (NOC listed in healthcare) is eligible for healthcare-targeted Express Entry draws. Recent cutoffs have ranged from 463 to 510 CRS points, but healthcare draws are often lower than the general CEC cutoffs. With 6 months of Canadian experience, you strengthen your PR chances significantly.
2. Ontario Employer Job Offer Stream
If you studied in any public college/university in Canada and secure a job in Ontario under an eligible employer, you may qualify for the International Student Stream—sometimes even without prior work experience, just with a job offer.
3. Ontario PNP Healthcare Draws
Ontario conducts healthcare-specific draws with lower CRS cutoffs than federal Express Entry. For example, where Express Entry required 470+, Ontario draws have been as low as 455–460.
4. Future Caregiver Pilot (2026)
Completing healthcare-related short courses like Pharma Assistant may also prepare you for future caregiver pathways, depending on IRCC program updates.
6. Other Short-Course Alternatives
If you are willing to spend more time and money, there are two other popular 6-month options:
Personal Support Worker (PSW) – Around $6,000–$7,000
Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Assistant – Around $6,000–$7,000
Both also lead to special category draws (Healthcare for PSW, Education for ECE). However, compared to these, the Pharma Assistant short course is faster, cheaper, and comes with job placement support. Globexa Immigration helps students choose between these options depending on their budget and timeline.
7. Why Central College?
While several institutions offer this course (including WCC and others), Central College, Mississauga campus stands out because:
It offers guaranteed placement support.
Strong employer connections in Ontario, particularly in the GTA.
Flexible monthly intakes and fully online classes.
Globexa Immigration has seen many students successfully get jobs and PR support through Central College, which is why we recommend it as a top option.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in Canada on an open work permit and looking for an affordable, short-duration, and job-oriented program that directly supports your Canada PR journey, the Pharma Assistant short course is an excellent option.
At Globexa Immigration, we guide you step by step—whether it’s choosing the right short course, securing admission, or planning your PR pathway. With our expertise, you can move forward confidently and achieve your dream of Canadian Permanent Residency.
