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Nova Scotia Immigration


Last Updated on November 18, 2021

Nova Scotia ImmigrationThe Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) targets prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience to boost the province’s economy and tackle demographic challenges.

Candidates who meet the criteria of one of nine different streams can be nominated for Nova Scotia immigration, with a target processing time of three months.

The nine streams are:

  1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
  2. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: Express Entry
  3. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians: Express Entry
  4. Skilled Worker
  5. Physician
  6. Occupations In Demand
  7. International Graduates In Demand
  8. Entrepreneur
  9. International Graduate Entrepreneur

Nova Scotia also operates ‘Study and Stay’, a program specifically aimed at helping international students from China, India and the Philippines stay and build careers in the region after they graduate.

The province previously operated a Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, but this was closed permanently as of January 4, 2021.

Latest Nova Scotia Immigration News

Nova Scotia Immigration Draws

 1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

High skilled immigrants with experience in Nova Scotia qualify under the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. As a core requirement, candidates require one year of experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) O, A or B position.

Eligibility Requirements: Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

  • At least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
  • Be 21 to 55 years old.
  • Canadian high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Language proficiency in English or French: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for skilled work in NOC 0 and A, CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
  • Register a profile in the federal government Canada Express Entry pool.

2. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: Express Entry

The Labour Market Priorities stream is designed to allow the province to single out specific occupations for immigration.

The stream targets occupations for Letters of Interest, with Early Childhood Educators the first focus job.

Candidates must:

  • Receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system.
  • Meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which you have qualified.
  • Demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia and to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses.
  • Have legal status in your current country of residence.
  • Meet eligibility criteria in place at the time you are issued a Letter of Interest.

3. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians stream allows the province to select candidates who are qualified doctors from the federal Express Entry pool.

The stream specifically targets two National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

  1. NOC 3112: Family Physicians
  2. NOC 3111: Specialist Physicians

Requirements: Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

  • Have an approved job offer from Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre as either a Family Physician (NOC 3112) or a Specialist Physician (NOC 3111).
  • Commit to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years.
  • Receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP through Express Entry.
  • Submit your application within 30 calendar days of the issue date of the Letter of Interest.
  • Meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry-linked program for which you have qualified.
  • Demonstrate sufficient funds to establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia.
  • Have legal status in your current country of residence.

4. Skilled Worker

The employer-driven Skilled Worker stream is aimed at foreign workers and international graduates. Employers who have been unable to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents can access the stream after receiving a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Candidate Requirements

  • Full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
  • At least one year of work experience related to the job (semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have six months of experience with the job-offering employer).
  • Be aged between 21 and 55.
  • Minimum high school diploma.
  • Appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation, if required.
  • Language ability in English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 for skilled workers, CLB Level 4 for semi-skilled and low-skilled workers.
  • Financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

5. Occupations In Demand

Nova Scotia’s Occupations in Demand Pilot targets intermediate-skilled jobs in high demand in the province.

 The target occupations are subject to change depending on labour market demand. It specifically targets jobs under National Occupational Classification (NOC) C.

Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Requirements

  • Full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in:
    • NOC 3413 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates).
    • NOC 6513 (Food and beverage servers).
    • NOC 6711 (Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations).
    • NOC 7511 (Transport truck drivers).
    • NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)).
    • NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers).
  • One year of work experience related to the job.
  • Be aged 21 to 55.
  • High school diploma.
  • Appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job.
  • Prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 even if your first language is English or French.
  • Show financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

6. Physician

The Nova Scotia Physician Stream assists the province’s public health system to hire general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians. It is designed to help recruit and retain doctors for positions the province has been unable to fill with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Requirements

Legal Status in Country of Residence

If you are living in Canada, you must provide proof of your legal status as a temporary worker or visitor.

If you apply from outside Canada, you must provide proof that you have legal status in your country of residence.

If you have lost your status, you are not eligible to apply until your status has been restored.

Job Offer

Written approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre as a:

  • General practitioner and family physician (NOC 3112) OR
  • Specialist physician (NOC 3111)

The approved opportunity must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and must:

  • Be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire physicians at the NSHA or IWK
  • Be signed and dated by 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

Education and Training

A copy of an Education Credential Assessment or proof of education and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

Language Ability

The ability to perform the job in one of Canada’s official languages as evidenced by an employment offer from the NSHA or the IWK.

7. International Graduates in Demand

Nova Scotia’s International Graduates in Demand stream targets international; graduates with a permanent job offer in one of two National Occupational Classification codes:

  1. NOC 3413: Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates.
  2. NOC 4214: Early childhood educators and assistants.

International Graduates in Demand Stream: Requirements

  • Full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in NOC 3413 or 4214 that corresponds with your recent field of study.
  • Be aged 21 to 55.
  • High school diploma.
  • Complete a course of study within three years of your application of at least 30 weeks in length with at least 50 percent in Nova Scotia. 
  • Candidates under NOC 3413: Program must grant a certificate, diploma, or degree.
  • Candidates under NOC 4214: Pogram must grant a diploma or degree.
  • Certifications issued by NS regulatory bodies required for the job.
  • Language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 in English or French.
  • Financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

8. Entrepreneur

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream targets candidates with business ownership or senior management experience. They must live in Nova Scotia, either start a new business or buy an existing business, and actively participate in the day-to-day management of that business.

Under the Entrepreneur stream, candidates are first issued a temporary work permit before applying for permanent residence after operating the business for a year. The stream uses an Expression of Interest format, where candidates in a pool are invited to apply.

Entrepreneur Stream: Steps

  1. Expression of Interest
  2. Invitation to Apply
  3. In Person Interview and Business Performance Agreement
  4. Work Permit and Business Establishment in Nova Scotia
  5. Request for Nomination
  6. Apply for Permanent Residence

Entrepreneur Stream: Candidate Requirements

  • Be aged 21 or older.
  • Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
  • Minimum net worth of $600,000.
  • Minimum investment of $150,000 to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience actively managing and owning a business (33 per cent ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years of experience in a senior business management role.
  • Score minimum of 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French.

9. International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is similar to the Entrepreneur stream, only aimed at recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. They must have started or purchased a Nova Scotia business and operated it for a year on a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Candidates are nominated for permanent residence if they intend to settle in the province. The stream works on an Expression of Interest format similar to the Entrepreneur stream.

International Graduate Entrepreneur: Steps

  1. Expression of Interest
  2. Invitation to Apply
  3. In-Person Interview and Nomination
  4. Apply for Permanent Residence

International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Candidate Requirements

  • Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
  • Minimum one year of continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business (100 per cent ownership).
  • Have completed a degree or diploma including minimum 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College.
  • Valid post-graduation work permit.
  • Minimum score of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French.

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