NOVA SCOTIA

Although Nova Scotia is the second-smallest province in Canada, there is a rising need for more highly qualified workers because of the province's abundant natural resources. The Province participates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows the provincial government of Nova Scotia to propose eligible foreign workers.

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry

The highly skilled individuals who will be able to join and contribute to Nova Scotia's economy are the focus of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream. Candidates must either have a job offer from a Nova Scotia business or have work experience in one of the province's in-demand professions in order to be eligible. Successful applicants can receive accelerated processing for their immigration applications thanks to this program's alignment with the federal Express Entry immigration system.

Requirements to apply under Category A, you must:

  • have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system;
  • score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
  • have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work that lasts at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.
  • have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job;
  • have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
  • prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
  • show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia

Requirements to apply under Category B, you must:

  • be in one of the target occupations as identified in the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry guide
  • have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system
  • score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors
  • have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in one of our target occupations;
  • have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent
  • prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
  • show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream

chooses highly qualified people who want to reside permanently in Nova Scotia. Candidates must have at least a year's worth of high-skilled work experience in Nova Scotia.

  • having worked in Nova Scotia for at least a year
  • the age range of 21 to 55
  • possess a diploma from a Canadian high school or its equivalent
  • On the Canadian Language Benchmark, demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French (CLB). The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 and A require CLB 7 for skilled workers. CLB 5 is required for NOC B posts
  • having a profile set up in the Express Entry system run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities

Candidates who fit the requirements of the provincial labor market are chosen to apply for nomination through the 2018 Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities stream of the federal Express Entry system. Candidates may only apply if they have received a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

Requirements to apply:

  • receive a Letter of Interest using the Express Entry mechanism from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program
  • satisfy the Express Entry stream's minimal work experience requirements, if applicable;
  • show you have the money to effectively relocate to Nova Scotia with your family and to cover your travel and immigration expenditures;
  • possess legal standing in the nation where you now reside; and
  • satisfy the qualifying requirements in effect at the time a Letter of Interest is issued

Physician

The Physician Stream supports the recruitment of general practitioners, family doctors, and specialists to work in Nova Scotia through the province's public health authorities, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK). The stream enables the NSHA and IWK to fill vacancies with qualified physicians that they have been unable to fill with Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Requirements to apply:

Only general practitioners and family doctors (NOC 3112) and specialists (NOC 3111) who have signed approved opportunities with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre are eligible for the Physician Stream.

  • On official NSHA or IWK letterhead, the approved opportunity must:
  • be signed and dated by a representative of the NSHA or IWK who is qualified to hire doctors.
  • be accepted by the applicant's signed and date signature.
  • Show that you are eligible to become a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
  • Declare the applicant's suitability to request privileges and credentials from the NSHA and the IWK.

Entrepreneur

For senior business managers or seasoned business owners who desire to settle in Nova Scotia, there is the Entrepreneur Stream. They are required to launch a new company or purchase an existing one, and they must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the company. The business owner may be proposed for permanent residence status after operating the company for a year. The stream can only be applied for by invitation.

Requirements to apply:

  • be at least 21 years old;
  • wish to own and actively run a business in Nova Scotia while residing there permanently
  • possess a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD
  • be able to put at least $150,000 CAD of your own money into a Nova Scotian enterprise
  • have more than 5 years of experience in a senior business management role OR at least 3 years of experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum)
  • a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 5 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in either English or French
  • submit a web-based Expression of Interest
  • receiving an invitation from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration in order to apply

International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. They must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year. If they intend to settle in Nova Scotia, the graduate may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.

Requirements to apply:

  • wish to own and actively run a business in Nova Scotia while residing there permanently;
  • possess 100% ownership of your present Nova Scotia business and at least one year of continuous management experience;
  • possess a degree or diploma following at least two academic years of full-time, on-campus study at a university in Nova Scotia or a community college in Nova Scotia;
  • possess a valid work visa for post-graduation;
  • a minimum score of 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in either English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark;
  • submit a web-based Expression of Interest;
  • receive a call from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration inviting them to apply.

Skilled Worker

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.

Requirements to apply:

  • possess a job offer for a full-time, permanent position from a Nova Scotian firm;
  • possess one year of relevant work experience. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled employees must have a minimum of six months of prior employment with the firm.)
  • the age range of 21 to 55
  • have graduated from high school
  • possess the necessary education, experience, or certification for the position;
  • If you are a skilled worker, you must demonstrate language proficiency at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5. It is sufficient evidence if English or French is your first language. Even if English or French is their first language, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must provide test results to demonstrate that they meet CLB 4
  • demonstrate sufficient financial means to live comfortably in Nova Scotia