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About the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Nova Scotia is one of the Maritime and Atlantic provinces, located in eastern Canada. Nova Scotia is well-known among travelers for its geography, which includes many offshore islands and a peninsula. High quality of life at a low cost of living makes Nova Scotia a preferable choice among new immigrants.  The government of Nova Scotia has also introduced several organizations to support newcomers to find jobs, improve language skills, and other relevant activities. Also, the healthcare system in Nova Scotia offers advanced facilities to its population irrespective of people’s financial capability. All these efforts have been put by the provincial government to make Nova Scotia a friendly and safe place for newcomers. The province hosts diverse Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) to invite applications, to contribute to the growth of the province’s economy. The purpose is to nominate those candidates who can move to Canada permanently and meet the workforce requirements of the local communities.  Through Nova Scotia PNP, the province nominates applicants with relevant skills and work experience for immigration as permanent residents. Candidates with a successful nomination receive a Nova Scotia Nomination Certificate for the further immigration process. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) invites immigration applications under various steams, these are:

1. Nova Scotia Physician Stream

Nova Scotia Physician StreamApplicants under this stream include health professionals including general practitioners, family specialists, and family physicians. The stream allows trained medical professionals to gain permanent resident status in Nova Scotia. An applicant can file for nomination through these authorities:
  • Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA); and
  • Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK)
 To qualify for this category, you must have a:
  • NOC 3112 as a family physician or general practitioner, or
  • NOC 3111 as a specialist.
To proceed with your application, you must have a signed Approved Opportunities with either of the above authorities of the province. An Approved Opportunity must:
  • Demonstrate that your credentials are valid for the application,
  • Demonstrate that you can apply for a license with the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons, and
  • Be dated and signed by you and the authorized person.
Note: Physicians can also apply for immigration to Canada through the Labour Market Priorities stream of federal Express Entry system. The benefit of applying through this stream is that you can get permanent residency within 6 months, whereas, usually the processing time for the Physicians stream is of 18-24 months.

2. Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur StreamApplicants under this stream include business owners and senior managers who are willing to establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Nova Scotia. Business owners and managers who manage the business activity for more than a year can apply for permanent residency in Nova Scotia under this category. To qualify for this category, you must:
  • Be at least 21 years old;
  • Be willing to immigrate to Nova Scotia permanently to manage the business;
  • Have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000;
  • Be able to make a personal investment of at least CAD$150,000 in a business in Nova Scotia;
  • Have at least three years of experience as a business owner or five years of experience as a senior manager;
  • Have completed a diploma from a Canadian institution or have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), not older for more than five years; 
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5;
  • Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI); and
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the immigration office of the province.

3. Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur

Nova Scotia International Graduate EntrepreneurApplicants under this stream include international graduate entrepreneurs who graduated from any Canadian college or university, and established their business or purchased an existing business for at least one year now. Applicants must be willing to settle in Nova Scotia while managing their businesses to meet eligibility. Under this stream, eligible candidates receive a nomination for permanent residence in the province. To qualify for this category, you must:
  • Be willing to settle in Nova Scotia permanently while managing your business;
  • Have at least one year of experience as a business owner or manager in Nova Scotia;
  • Have completed a degree or diploma at a university or college in Nova Scotia, for at least two academic years;
  • Have a valid post-graduation work permit;
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7;
  • Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI); and
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the immigration office of the province.

4. Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream

Nova Scotia Skilled Worker StreamApplicants under this stream include foreign workers and graduates who can meet the workforce requirements of employers. The purpose is to fill the job positions for which local Canadians do not have sufficient skills.  Skilled workers may be more in demand, as compared to semi-skilled and low-skilled workers.  To qualify for this stream, you must:
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have a valid full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia;
  • Have at least one year of relevant experience;
  • Have a high-school diploma;
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5, if you are a skilled worker;
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, if you are a semi-skilled worker;
  • Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself (CAD$11,000) and your family (extra CAD$2,000 per dependent).
Processing times under this stream can be up to at least three months.

5. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

Applicants under this stream have to first enter the federal Express Entry pool. The province nominates selective applicants as per the labour market needs. Candidates in this stream can create an application only if they have received a Letter of Interest from the province’s immigration office. To qualify for this stream, you must:
  • Receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program;
  • Have relevant work experience;
  • Have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family; and
  • Have legal status in your residential country.

6. Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Stream

Applicants under this stream include a few specified labour groups in the province. Immigration offices of different provinces and territories update the Occupation in Demand. However, occupations under this stream can change as per the market needs. To qualify for this stream, you must:
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have a full-time employment offer as a Patient service associate, Nurse Aid, or truck driver;
  • Have at least one year of relevant experience;
  • Have a high-school diploma;
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4;
  • Have sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.

7. Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry

Nova Scotia Demand: Express EntryApplicants under this stream include highly skilled workers, who can work and live in the province and can get nominated for permanent residence later. This stream has two sub-categories, these are: Category A includes applicants with a job offer. This category is open. Category B includes applicants with work experience in any opportunity occupation. This category opens and closes in a year, respective to the needs of labour markets. To qualify under Category A, you must:
  • Have a registered Express Entry profile with IRCC;
  • Have a minimum score of at least 67 points based on the six selection factors;
  • Have a full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia;
  • Have at least one year of relevant work experience;
  • Have a high-school degree in Canada or an equivalent foreign degree;
  • Have sufficient financial resources; and
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
To qualify under Category B, you must:
  • Have a registered Express Entry profile with IRCC;
  • Have a minimum score of at least 67 points based on the six selection factors;
  • Have a high-school degree in Canada or an equivalent foreign degree;
  • Have at least one year of relevant work experience;
  • Have sufficient financial resources; and
  • Have English or French language proficiency equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
Six Selection factors are:
  • Age (maximum points: 12)
  • Education (maximum points: 25)
  • Language proficiency in either English or French (maximum points: 28)
  • Job offers (maximum points: 10)
  • Work experience (maximum points: 15)
  • Adaptability (maximum points: 10)

8. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry 

This stream includes only those candidates who have prior work experience with any Nova Scotian employer for at least one year. To qualify for this stream, you must:
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia for a skilled job;
  • Have completed a degree from a Canadian high school or have equivalent qualification;
  • Have completed your ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment) and a degree by an accredited institution;
  • Have sufficient financial resources;
  • Have the will to settle permanently in the province;
  • Have scored CLB level 7 for NOC 0 and A, or scored a CLB level 5 for NOC B, in either French or English;
  • Have created your Express Entry profile with the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
To qualify for this stream, you need the following work experience. You must have:
  • Worked for an employer in Nova Scotia;
  • Worked for at least one year or 1,560 hours;
  • Worked for a job with NOC code 0, A, or B; and
  • Applied within three years of your application with the NSOI or IRCC.

9. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Atlantic Immigration Pilot ProgramThe Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) was introduced in 2017, with a purpose to meet workforce needs in the province.  Companies have to first apply to become a part of the program. As of now, there are 62 companies associated with AIPP to welcome foreign talent in Nova Scotia. Applicants under this program can directly apply for Canadian permanent residency to the IRCC. If processing times are longer than expected, then nominated candidates can get a temporary work permit. To qualify for AIPP, an employer must:
  • Have a legal company and operating activities as per the provincial business norms;
  • Have a brief list of the labour requirements in the company;
  • Have a plan for the retention of the foreign workers;
  • Demonstrate that the company is not able to fill the positions with local Canadians;
  • Have an offer for only full-time employment; and
  • Have a settlement plan signed and acknowledged by the foreign worker.
Important steps for AIPP:
  • Employers must be aware if they have to provide a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) to demonstrate that they are not able to fill the job position;
  • If applicable, employers have to apply for an LMIA with the ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) to demonstrate that job offer is legal;
  • Employers have to interview the potential candidates, if selected, provide the candidate:
      • Job offer;
      • A copy of the LMIA; and
      • A Letter of Employment.
  • After receiving a Letter of Employment, workers can apply for a work permit to the IRCC. In a few cases, applicants may need a temporary resident visa.
Want to immigrate to Nova Scotia, still wondering where to start? Stop worrying, Immigtoronto.com is at your service. Contact our expert immigration consultants to learn about different ways to immigrate to Canada. Get a brief about the Express Entry system and PNPs to immigrate to Nova Scotia or any other Canadian province. Let us guide you through the application process for Canadian immigration and residency.

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