Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Nova Scotia has welcomed immigrants for centuries. With a population of around 900,000 people, Nova Scotia has turned into a vibrant, dynamic society where immigrants can build their dreams. It is much more affordable than the major cities of Canada surrounded by the natural beauty of the rolling sea, lush green forests, lakes and farmland. More and more Canadians are moving to places like Nova Scotia, away from the bustling city life.

In this post, we are sharing the different pathways to how skilled workers can immigrate to Nova Scotia via Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

This pathway of immigration of Canada is for the candidates in the federal Express Entry system who meet the provincial labour market needs of Nova Scotia. The candidates who meet the provincial labour needs are nominated (through a letter of interest) by the Nova Scotia office are eligible to apply for this program.

Here are the other eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system
• The candidate has to submit their application within 30 Calendar Days once the letter of interest is issued
• The candidate needs to meet the Minimum Work Requirements of the Express Entry Stream for which they have qualified
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to move to Nova Scotia
• The candidate must have legal status in their current country of residence
• The candidate needs to meet the eligibility criteria in place at the time they are issued a Letter of Interest
• The candidate must have a valid Express Entry number and meet all IRCC criteria for the Express Entry pool

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream for Physicians

In this stream, physicians are selected to apply for nomination through the Express Entry system. Only those candidates can apply for immigration who have an approved offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre who receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

NOC included in this stream: General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and Specialist physicians (NOC 3111)

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate has to provide a copy of a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness indicating commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years

• The candidate must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system
• The candidate has to submit their application within 30 calendar days of the date on which the Letter of Interest was issued
• The candidate needs to meet the minimum work-experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which they have qualified
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to successfully establish themselves and their family in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must have legal status in their current country of residence

Nova Scotia Nominee Program Physicians Stream

Through this stream, Nova Scotia’s public health authorities – the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) – hire general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians to work in Nova Scotia. This stream helps in filling up the positions in NSHA and IWK that are not being filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

NOC included in this stream: General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and specialist physicians (NOC 3111)

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

To be eligible for this stream the candidates with the eligible NOC must have signed approved opportunities with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre. They need to make sure that the approved opportunity must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and should have the following:

• Date and sign by an authorized person to hire physicians at the NSHA or IWK
• Date and signature of the applicant who is accepting the opportunity
• Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
• Indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and the IWK

Nova Scotia Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream

This stream allows experienced business owners or senior business managers to live in Nova Scotia, start a new business or buy an existing business. They must also participate in the day-to-day management of the business. Then, after a year they may receive a nomination for permanent residence.

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must be be 21 years of age or older
• The candidate must want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business
• The candidate must have a net worth of at least 600,000 CAD
• The candidate must be able to invest at least 150,000 CAD of their own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia
• The candidate needs to 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
• The candidate must have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French
• The candidate needs to complete an online Expression of Interest
• The candidate must receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration

Nova Scotia Nominee Program International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College can apply for permanent residence under this stream, provided that they must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year.

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must want to live permanently in Nova Scotia and must own and actively manage a Nova Scotia business
• The candidate must have at least a 33.33% ownership of the business in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must have at least one year’s continuous experience of actively managing a business
• The candidate needs to have a degree or diploma of at least 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College
• The candidate needs to have a valid post-graduation work permit
• The candidate must score at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French
• The candidate needs to complete an online Expression of Interest
• The candidate must receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration

Nova Scotia Nominee Program Skilled Worker Stream

This stream is applicable for foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in Nova Scotia. The nomination is based on the skills that are required in Nova Scotia. Foreign workers and international graduates can be hired only to fill those positions that are not filled by Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must be be 21 to 55 years old
• The candidate must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
• The candidate needs to have have 1 year of work experience related to the job
• The candidate needs to have a high school diploma
• The candidate must have the appropriate accreditation, training and skills
• The candidate needs to score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if they are a skilled worker. If they are a semi-skilled or low-skilled worker, they must score a CLB 4.
• The candidate needs to show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Nominee Program Occupations in Demand Stream

As the name of the program suggests, Occupations in Demand Stream is for certain NOCs that are in high labour market demand in Nova Scotia. The occupations included in this stream are from NOC C and NOC D.

Here are the eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must be be 21 to 55 years old
• The candidate needs to have a high school diploma
• The candidate needs to have have 1 year of work experience related to the job
• The candidate must have the appropriate accreditation, training and skills
• The candidate needs to score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 (no matter whether their first language is English or French)
• The candidate needs to show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia
• The candidate needs to have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. The NOCs included are - NOC 3413 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (Transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), or NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers)

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream

This stream is for highly skilled individuals who want to settle in Nova Scotia and acquire a permanent resident status. To be eligible for this program a candidate must have at least one year of experience working in Nova Scotia in a high skilled occupation.

Here are the other eligibility conditions of this stream:

• The candidate must be be 21 to 55 years old
• The candidate needs to have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent
• The candidate has to prove language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). One needs a CLB 7 for skilled work in the National
• Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 and A. For NOC B positions, one needs a CLB 5 at least
• The candidate needs to have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system

Other important information about Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

The processing time for the applications could be 3 months or more. The candidate and/or their family members must apply to IRCC for permanent resident visa within 6 months of receiving the nomination. Candidates must understand that the CIC will decide whether to issue a permanent resident visa to a candidate.

Consult V2I experts to Immigrate to Nova Scotia

Can’t decide which visa pathway would suit your profile? Let our Canada immigration experts guide you and help you complete all your documentation. They understand the complete provincial nomination program of Nova Scotia and will consider all the technicalities while helping you in filing your application for Canada PR.