Nova Scotia is one of the smallest Canadian provinces. It is a popular research destination for paleontologists seeking to find Jurassic fossils; they can often even provide guided Jurassic tours! Some of the major contributions towards its Economy are coal mining, forestry, agriculture, and of course, fishery. The province borders partially with New Brunswick and is close to Prince Edward Island.
Nova Scotia’s Nominee Program (NSNP) accepts applications under the following immigration streams:
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
- Physician
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Skilled Worker
- Occupations in Demand
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
Launched on August 8, 2018, this stream targets qualified and experienced workers who meet the province’s labor market needs. Applicants must have received a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- submit your application within 30 days of receiving the Letter of Interest
- satisfy the minimum work experience required
- have enough settlement funds to settle down in NS
Note: Letters of Interest were issued to eligible candidates with work experience under NOC 4214 (Early childhood educators and assistants).
Physician
This stream focuses on those under NOC 3112 (General Practitioners and Family Physicians) and 3111 (Specialist Physicians) with an approved signed opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.
Eligibility
To apply for the signed opportunity must:
- be a signed and dated approved opportunity under the aforementioned NSHA or IHC, which you must also sign and date
- outline that you are eligible or have licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
- outline that you can apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and IWK
Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- be 21 years of age or older;
- want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
- have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD;
- be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia;
- have at least 3 years experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years experience in a senior business management role;
- have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French;
- complete an online Expression of Interest;
- receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for recent graduates of an eligible Nova Scotia institution. They must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year. Application to the stream is by invitation only.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
- have at least one year’s continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business (33.33% ownership minimum);
- have completed a degree or diploma after at least 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College;
- have a valid post-graduation work permit;
- have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French;
- complete an online Expression of Interest;
- receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker stream helps employers recruit foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
- have 1 year of work experience related to the job. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must already have six months of experience with the employer.);
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have a high school diploma;
- have the appropriate training, skills, and/or accreditation for the job;
- prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if you are a skilled worker. If your first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have test results to prove they meet CLB 4 even if their first language is English or French;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
Occupations in Demand
This stream was launched on May 30, 2019, and looks at attracting skilled workers more inclined towards specific professions under NOC such as 3413 Care Assistants and 7511 Truck Drivers. This is a pilot program to be launched for 3 years.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer under either NOC 3413 or 7511;
- have 1 year of work experience related to the field;
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have a high school diploma;
- have the appropriate training, skills, and/or accreditation for the job;
- prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 even if their first language is English or French;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream selects highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently. Applicants must have a good chance of quickly finding a job in Nova Scotia’s labor market.
The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration reserves the right to consider only certain types of occupations for nomination, depending on current labor market needs.
-
- Category A is always open (jobs under NOC 0, A, or B)
- Category B opens and closes throughout the year (jobs under NOC 1123, 2131, and 4212) – **Category B is now closed**
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- have a profile registered in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry system;
- have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for Category A OR have an occupation identified under Category B;
- have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the eligible field;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 7;
- score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream selects highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently. Applicants must have at least one year of experience working in Nova Scotia in a highly skilled occupation.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- have at least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia;
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). You need CLB 7 for skilled work in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 and A, OR CLB 5 for NOC B positions;
- have a profile registered in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry