Nova Scotia

What is Nova Scotia Nominee Program? (NSNP)

Nova Scotia is a small Canadian province situated in the Maritimes region of the country. It comprises the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and over 3,000 smaller islands. The capital city, Halifax, is renowned as a major hub for culture and the arts, offering a high standard of living. Nova Scotians have a strong connection to the sea, and the province is celebrated for its coastal beauty and delectable cuisine.

The NSNP, or Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program, is the province’s immigration program. Through this initiative, individuals with skills and experience sought by Nova Scotia may receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) was established in 2003 with the aim of addressing economic and labor market needs through immigration. Over the past two decades, immigration to Nova Scotia has significantly increased, largely due to the implementation and ongoing enhancements of the NSNP, along with the introduction of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017.

Nova Scotia now welcomes more than 7,000 new immigrants annually, reflecting a notable increase. With a retention rate of over 70 percent, Nova Scotia has seen improvements, largely attributed to the efforts of NSNP and AIP in connecting newcomers with job opportunities. These programs facilitate the transition of international graduates and temporary workers to permanent residency, contributing to the province's growth and diversity.

Ø What are the programs in this PNP?

·       Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

·       Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

·       Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

·       Skilled Worker Stream

·       Occupation In-Demand Stream

·       International Graduates In-Demand Stream

·       Entrepreneur Stream

·       International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

·       Physician Stream

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Ø Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

Job Offer Required- No

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

 Minimum Requirements:

·       Express Entry profile required Age between 21 and 55

·       Minimum one year of full-time paid work experience in Nova Scotia in the last three years

·       Valid authorization during the time in Nova Scotia (e.g., work permit)

·       High school diploma or higher Language skills as per job requirements

How it works: To apply, ensure eligibility and have a valid Express Entry profile. Apply online on Nova Scotia's webpage, including all required information and documents. If successful, receive a provincial nomination certificate via email. Nomination will also be confirmed in Express Entry, which you must accept within 30 days to get an additional 600 CRS points. Receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. Apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system upon receiving the invitation.

Ø Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

Job Offer Required- No

 Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

·       Valid Express Entry profile

·       Receive a Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on your Express Entry profile

·       Meet work experience requirements for Express Entry program

·       Required supporting documents to demonstrate work experience Sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

·       Specific eligibility requirements for each draw

 How it works: Ensure eligibility and a valid Express Entry profile. Receive a Letter of Interest from NSOI to apply. Submit application within 60 days with required documents. If successful, receive nomination certificate via email, confirmed in Express Entry. Accept nomination within 30 days for 600 CRS points. Receive invitation to apply for permanent residence in next Express Entry draw. Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

Ø Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

Job offer required - Yes

Application Fee: None

 Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

·       Valid Express Entry profile

·       Receive a Letter of Interest from NSOI on your Express Entry profile

·       Job offer from Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a physician

·       Meet work experience requirements for Express Entry program

·       Required supporting documents

·       Commitment to stay in province for two years

·       Sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

How it works: Ensure eligibility and a valid Express Entry profile. Send Express Entry profile number to NSOI. If qualified, receive a Letter of Interest in Express Entry account. Apply within 30 days with required documents. If successful, receive nomination certificate via email, confirmed in Express Entry. Accept nomination within 30 days for 600 CRS points. Receive invitation to apply for permanent residence in next Express Entry draw. Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

Ø Skilled Worker Stream

Job offer required- Yes

 Application Fee: None

 Processing Time: At least 3 months

 Minimum Requirements:

·       Age between 21 and 55

·       Full-time permanent job offers from Nova Scotia employer

·       High school education or higher Education, training, licensing, or certification for job duties

·       Minimum 12 months of relevant work experience in last five years Language requirements: NOC 0, A or B – CLB 5 NOC C or D – CLB 4

·       Intent to settle in Nova Scotia

·       Sufficient funds to settle permanently

·       Employer must meet additional requirements

How it works: Ensure eligibility, prepare application by visiting the webpage. Gather and upload required documents. If successful, receive nomination certificate via email, sent to IRCC. Apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC within six months. Request a Letter of Support for a temporary work permit to stay in Nova Scotia.

Ø Occupation In-Demand Stream

Job offer required - Yes

Application Fee: None

 Processing Time: At least 3 months

 Occupations: Nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates, food and beverage servers, food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, light duty cleaners, transport truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, construction trades helpers, and laborers.

 Minimum Requirements:

·       Age between 21 and 55

·       Full-time permanent job offer in designated occupation

·       Minimum one year of relevant work experience

·       High school education or higher Training or education for the job

·       Minimum language requirement of CLB 4 Sufficient funds to settle permanently

How it works: Ensure eligibility for the stream. Gather and upload required documents. If successful, receive nomination certificate via email, sent to IRCC. Apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC within six months. Request a Letter of Support for a temporary work permit to stay in Nova Scotia.

Ø International Graduates In-Demand Stream

Job offer required- Yes

 Application Fee: None

 Processing Time: At least 3 months

Occupations: Nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates, early childhood educators, and assistants.

Minimum Requirements:

·       Full-time permanent job offer in listed occupation

·       Age between 21 and 55 High school education or higher

·       Completed program of study at least 30 weeks long, with half completed in Nova Scotia Certifications required for the job

·       Language requirement of CLB 5

·       Sufficient funds to settle permanently

 How it works: Ensure eligibility for the stream. Submit application with required documents. If successful, receive nomination certificate via email, sent to IRCC. Apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC within six months. Request a Letter of Support for a temporary work permit to stay in Nova Scotia.

Ø Entrepreneur Stream

Job Offer Required - No

 Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

·       Age at least 21

·       Minimum CAD $600,000 in Net Business and Personal Assets

·       Three years of business ownership experience or five years in senior business manager role

·       Minimum capital investment of CAD $150,000 in Nova Scotia

·       Language requirement of CLB 5 High school education or higher

·       Business Establishment Plan Intent to live in Nova Scotia

 How it works: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to Nova Scotia. If selected, receive Invitation to Apply (ITA). Submit application with required documents, including Business Establishment Plan and Net Worth Verification Report. Upon receiving ITA, choose Financial Statement Review Service Provider. Attend interview if required. Receive Entrepreneur Approval Letter and apply for work permit. Apply for Nova Scotia nomination, then permanent residence with IRCC.

Ø International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Job Offer Required - No

 Application Fee: None

 Processing Time: At least 3 months

 Minimum Requirements:

·       Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree

·       lived in province during study

·       Intent to live in Nova Scotia

·       Owned and operated business in Nova Scotia for at least one year

·       Language requirement of CLB

·       7 Age at least 21

·       Valid Post Graduation

·       You must own a third of the equity of the eligible business.

·       You must have participated in the daily management of the business.

·       You must show that you are receiving compensation from the business, as a salary.

Ø Physician Stream

Job offer required- No

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: Minimum 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

·       You must be a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or 3112).

·       You must have a signed approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.

·       Must have the education or training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

How it works: First, ensure eligibility for the Physician stream and gather necessary documents. Submit your application online by creating an account on Nova Scotia’s website. If approved, you'll receive a letter from NSOI confirming nomination issuance, directly sent to IRCC. Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC. You may be invited for an interview. You can also request a letter of support from Nova Scotia for a temporary work permit, replacing the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This allows you to work in Nova Scotia while waiting for your permanent residence application.

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