Nova Scotia
underline
img

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) provides a quicker path to becoming a Canadian permanent resident for qualified skilled workers and experienced entrepreneurs. There are three streams under which candidates can apply: The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry, the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Immigration Stream, the Nova Scotia Family Business Worker Immigration Stream, the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream, and the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

Update: Two new business immigration streams opened on January 1st, 2016, in Nova Scotia. These streams are the NSNP Entrepreneur steam and the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream. Once fully operational, the province is expected to nominate between 40 to 50 candidates per year. **

Nova Scotia differentiates between skilled workers, semi-skilled, and low-skilled workers.

Skilled workers are defined as individuals with occupations within NOC skill levels O, A, or B- Priority will be awarded to these higher-skilled occupations.

Semi-skilled workers have occupations that fall under the NOC skill level C occupations. These applications may be considered s based on local labour market requirements and conditions, and 6 months of work with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application. Under this category, official language test results must be submitted with an application.

Low-skilled workers have occupations that fall under the NOC skill level D. These applications may only be considered if all other eligibility criteria are met, the principal applicant has worked for at least 6 months with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application, there are indicators of success in the application, and there is strong employer support. Under this category, official language test results must be submitted with an application.

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry has now closed and is not accepting new applications at this time.

The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration promotes its own Express Entry stream. It enables the province to nominate qualified candidates for admission to Canada under the federal Express Entry immigration system, without a sponsoring employer. The province nominates qualified applicants from the federal Express Entry pool.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream is aimed at selecting applicants who have the education, experience, language proficiency, and adaptability to successfully establish themselves in Nova Scotia and contribute to the province's development. Nomination is based on a points system, where applicants receive consideration under the following factors:

  • Education And Training.
  • Work Experience.
  • Language Ability.
  • Age.
  • Connections To Nova Scotia, Including Family, Job Offer, Work or Study Experience in The Province.

Applicants must score a minimum of 67 out of a possible 100 points under the above-mentioned selection factors to be considered for nomination. Applicants must also meet the following mandatory criteria:

  • Have A Minimum of One Year of Work Experience in The Past Five Years Which Must Be Related to An Occupation Appearing on The Nova Scotia Opportunity Occupations List.
  • Have A Minimum of One Year of Work Experience in The Past Five Years in Their Intended Occupation in An Occupation Classified as Skill Level “0”, “A” Or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Demonstrate A Minimum Language Proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, Or Higher If Required by Employers or Regulatory Bodies.
  • Demonstrate Sufficient Settlement Funds If Applying Without an Approved Job Offer.

A maximum of 350 applications will be accepted in 2015 from candidates without employer sponsorship.

Nova Scotia Opportunity Occupations list

Individuals with a minimum of one year of work experience in the past five years related to one of the below Opportunity Occupations may qualify to apply under the Nova Scotia: Express Entry Stream without a sponsoring employer:

  • 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants
  • 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts
  • 1121 Human Resources Professionals
  • 1125 Purchasing Agents and Officers
  • 2113 Geoscientists and Oceanographers
  • 2131 Civil Engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical Engineers
  • 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • 2141 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
  • 2147 Computer Engineers
  • 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
  • 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators
  • 2173 Software Engineers and Designers
  • 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
  • 2175 Web Designers and Developers
  • 2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians
  • 2262 Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
  • 2282 User Support Technicians
  • 3012 Registered Nurses
  • 3142 Physiotherapists
  • 3143 Occupational Therapists
  • 3211 Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants
  • 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • 4151 Psychologists
  • 4153 Family, Marriage, and Other Related Counsellors
  • 6235 Financial Sales Representatives

Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Immigration Stream

This employer-driven stream helps employers recruit and retain immigrant workers with the required skills. It also targets immigrants with skills in demand.

    To apply under this program, the applicant must have:
  • A guaranteed job offers from a Nova Scotia employer who has exhausted all other options for finding workers and offers standard wages and working conditions for that occupational field, The Required age, language ability, and education.

Nova Scotia Family Business Worker Immigration Stream

This stream helps family-owned businesses hire close relatives to demonstrate skills that could not be found in Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

    To apply under this program, the applicant must have:
  • A Full-Time, Permanent Job Offer from A Nova Scotia Employer Who Is a Close Relative and Who Owns an Established Business in Nova Scotia Before Applying to The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).
  • The Worker or The Spouse Must Be Related to The Family Business Owner or Spouse of The Business Owner in One of The Following Ways:
  • Son Or Daughter.
  • Brother Or Sister.
  • Niece Or Nephew (Children of Brothers or Sisters).
  • Uncle Or Aunt (Parent's Brothers or Sisters).
  • Grandchild.

A Step or Half-Relative of The Same Degree.