The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is designed to increase immigration to the Nova Scotia by allowing the province to select foreign nationals with the precise skills and experience needed in the local provincial economy and invite them to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The NSNP receives skilled immigration applications under the following streams:
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream;
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream;
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream; and
- Skilled Worker Stream;
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
Nova Scotia demand: Express Entry stream is aligned with the federal government’s Express Entry immigration system. The stream, which came into effect on January 1, 2015, is designed to nominate highly-skilled foreign nationals with post-secondary education and qualifications for permanent residence in the province of Nova Scotia.
There are two categories under the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream:
Category A: Arranged job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from a Nova Scotia employer.
Category B: For applicants with Paid Work experience in an opportunity occupation
NOTE: Category B is now closed.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to qualify, potential candidates need to score at least 67 out of 100 points on a point’s grid that measures education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether the candidate has an arranged job offer from a Nova Scotia-based employer.
In addition to these minimum of 67 points, potential candidates must also:
- Have a valid profile in Express Entry immigration selection system;
- Have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work for at least one year (to apply under Category A)
- Have a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalent;
- Have a foreign diploma, certificate, or credential and its educational credential equivalency assessment by a designated body;
- Have one year of full-time, or part-time equivalent paid work experience related to the job;
- Meet the minimum language proficiency threshold at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four language components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either English or French; and
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
To apply under Category B, candidate must also have work experience in one of the target occupations as identified in the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry guide.
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream offers a pathway to permanent residence for highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently.
The stream is designed for foreign workers who have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a high skilled occupation.
There are two application routes to Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. Candidates may either apply directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), or they may be selected from the Express Entry pool by the NSOI.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to qualify under Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream, candidates must:
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have an active profile under the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online Express Entry system
- have at least 1 year of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia;
- have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential; OR
- have completed a foreign educational credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by a designated organization;
- demonstrate sufficient language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 & A and CLB 5 for NOC B positions; and
- intend to live in the province permanently.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
The Labour Market Priorities stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) targets immigration candidates in the federal Express Entry pool, who meet specified labour market needs in the province and issue them invitation to immigrate to Nova Scotia.
Only those Candidates, who receive a Letter of Interest to apply for provincial nomination from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, can apply under this stream.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply under Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream, applicants must:
- receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the NSNP;
- meet draw-specific eligibility criteria outlined in the draw announcement posted by the Nova Scotia Immigration ;
- fulfill the minimum work experience requirements of their Express Entry class;
- have legal status in their current country of residence when applying;
- meet eligibility criteria in place at the time they are issued an LOI; and
- demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish themselves in Nova Scotia;
DRAW-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
NSNP issue Letters of Interest to apply for a provincial nomination certificate to Express Entry candidates based on criteria identified by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI). Criteria may be different for each draw and depends on Nova Scotia’s labour market needs. It is your responsibility to demonstrate eligibility based on these criteria, which will be specified on NSOI’s website.
- Skilled Worker Stream
The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker stream is aimed to help provincial employers recruit and hire foreign workers with skills that are in limited supply in Nova Scotia. This stream is further composed of three different categories, each with their own eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
- Skilled Workers: This category is for individuals with experience in an occupation classified as NOC level 0, A or B, also known as skilled occupations. Priority is given to these high skilled applicants.
- Semi-Skilled Workers: This category is for workers whose occupations are classified as NOC level C, also known as semi-skilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.
- Low-Skilled Workers: This category is for individuals whose occupations are classified as NOC level D, also known as unskilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.
General eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Worker Stream
In addition to the general eligibility outlined above, all applicants, regardless of their work experience, must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must provide proof of legal status (if living in Canada)
- Be between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time of application
- Receive a full time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
- Have at least completed a high school level of education (12 years of study), and have education, training, and licensing/certification needed to perform the job in Canada, if applicable
- Have a minimum 12 months of relevant work experience
- Meet language requirements for the program
- For NOC levels 0, A or B – CLB level 5 in English or French
- For NOC levels C or D – CLB level 4 in English or French
Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia.