Nova Scotia (NS) is an attractive destination for individuals and families seeking a sense of tranquillity, with its slow-paced lifestyle, lush green forests, golden beaches, and farmland. It has a lower cost of living relative to other, more populous parts of Canada but still offers a high quality of life, good education and an abundance of work opportunities in a diverse and welcoming community.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program
Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program is the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, or NSNP. The NSNP has multiple streams targeted at various in-demand migrants such as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and construction workers.
If a potential applicant has the skills and expertise necessary to contribute to Nova Scotia, they may be able to receive a nomination from the province which will help them gain permanent residence in Canada.
There are currently nine streams in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program:
1. Entrepreneur Stream
The NSNP Entrepreneur Stream is targeted at business owners or senior managers with experience of operating a viable business, and who want to start or purchase a business in Nova Scotia. Before an entrepreneur on this stream will be offered a permanent residence nomination, they must operate their new business for a full year.
In order to be eligible for this stream, you should:
- be 21 or older
- intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia
- intend to start or buy a business in Nova Scotia
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000
- CAD $400,000 if the business is outside Halifax
- intend to invest a minimum of CAD $150,000 in the business
- CAD $100,000 if the business is outside Halifax
- have a minimum of 3 years’ experience owning and operating a business, or 5 years’ or more experience as a senior business manager
- score at least CLB/NCLC Level 5 in English or French
If you meet the above criteria, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) directly to Nova Scotia. Your EoI will be reviewed and, if you are eligible, you may receive an invitation to submit a full application for permanent residence.
2. International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is intended solely for individuals who have recently graduated from a university in Nova Scotia, or Nova Scotia Community College. To be eligible for a nomination for permanent residence, the recent graduate should have been operating a new or purchased business in Nova Scotia for at least one year.
In order to be eligible for this stream, you should:
- have completed at least a two-year full-time, in-person degree or diploma program in Nova Scotia
- currently hold a valid post-graduation work permit
- intend to continue to own and manage your business in Nova Scotia, retaining a minimum 1/3 ownership share
- intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia
- score at least CLB/NCLC Level 7 in English or French
If you meet the above criteria, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) directly to Nova Scotia. Your EoI will be reviewed and, if you are eligible, you may receive an invitation to submit a full application for permanent residence.
3. International Graduates In Demand Stream
The NSNP International Graduates In Demand Stream is specifically targeted at recent graduates from universities and colleges in Nova Scotia who are qualified to take up roles in certain in-demand occupations. Individuals who meet the criteria and can fill an in-demand role may be eligible to be nominated for permanent residence in Nova Scotia:
To be eligible for this stream, you should:
- have a full-time job offer in one of the following roles:
- Paramedical occupations (NOC: 32102)
- Pharmacy technicians (NOC: 32124)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC:33102)
- Early childhood educators and assistances (NOC:42202)
- be aged between 19 and 55 years
- hold a Canadian high school diploma or recognized international equivalent
- have graduated from a designated learning institution in Nova Scotia within the last three years
- you must usually have received either a certificate, diploma or degree, depending on your occupation
- hold any regulatory certifications necessary to do the job you have been offered in Nova Scotia
- score at least CLB/NCLC Level 5 in English or French
- be able to demonstrate you have the financial means to settle in Nova Scotia
NB: Eligible occupations for the International Graduates In Demand Stream are subject to change. All information correct at the time of writing.
4. Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream
The NSNP Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream is Nova Scotia’s doctor-focused permanent residence pathway. It is targeted at general practitioners, family physicians and specialist physicians who have a job offer and have received an invitation to apply from Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration.
To be eligible for this stream, you should:
- have an approved job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre
- be able to provide a signed Return for Service Agreement commiting you to living and working in Nova Scotia for at least two years
- have received a Letter of Interest from the NSNP in the federal Express Entry system
- be able to demonstrate that you have the minimum work experience required for your chosen Express Entry stream
- be able to show that you have sufficient financial means to move to and settle in Nova Scotia (with your family, if applicable)
Applications for this stream are typically processed in around six months.
5. Physician Stream
The NSNP Physician Stream is an alternative route for physicians who are seeking permanent residence in Nova Scotia. While it has a longer processing time, it does not require the use of the Express Entry system, a language test or an educational credentials assessment. However, please be aware that you will still be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications and language ability when applying for your license to practice.
To be eligible for this stream, you should:
- have a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre in one of the following roles:
- general practitioners or family physicians (NOC: 31102)
- specialist physicians (NOC: 31100/31101)
- be eligible to be licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
You may be required to commit to a minimum period of service via a Return for Service Agreement, but this is not always the case. Applications for this stream are typically processed in 18 to 24 months.
6. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
The NSNP Experience: Express Entry Stream is aimed at highly skilled workers who intend to settle in Nova Scotia on a permanent basis, and who have some working experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. These occupations are typically either management roles or those requiring one of the following:
- a university degree
- a college diploma
- an apprenticeship
- a minimum of six months’ on-the-job training in order to become proficient
Potential applicants must:
- be aged between 21 and 55
- have a minimum of one year’s work experience in Nova Scotia
- hold at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- Meet the minimum required standard of English or French language skills:
- CLB/NCLC Level 7 for TEER 0 or 1 roles
- CLB/NCLC Level 5 for TEER 2 or 3 roles
- have registered a profile on Canada’s Express Entry system
7. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
The NSNP Labour Market Priorities Stream is specifically for individuals who have been invited to apply by Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) in order to fill gaps in the provincial labour market.
To be eligible for an invitation to apply, you must first fill out and submit an Express Entry profile. If your skills and experience are in shortage in Nova Scotia, you may be contacted by LSI and invited to apply for Nova Scotia’s nomination for permanent residence in Canada.
Your Express Entry profile must qualify you for one of the following skilled worker immigration programs:
8. Occupations in Demand Stream
The NSNP Occupations in Demand Stream is intended to help fill NOC TEER 3, 4 and 5 occupations where there are not enough suitable workers in the Nova Scotia labour market to fill these roles within the province.
In order to apply for this stream, you should:
- have a full-time, permanent job offer in one of the following roles:
- Nurse Aides (NOC: 33102)
- Light duty cleaners (NOC: 65310)
- Transport truck drivers (NOC: 73000)
- Heavy equipment operators (NOC: 73400)
- Construction trades helpers and labourers (NOC: 75110)
- have at least one year’s experience related to the job you have been offered
- be aged between 21 and 55
- hold a Canadian high school diploma or recognized international equivalent
- have any necessary skills, training and/or accreditation for the job you have been offered
- score at least CLB/NCLC Level 4 in English or French, even if one of these is your first language
- be able to demonstrate you have the financial means to settle in Nova Scotia
NB: Eligible occupations for the Occupations In Demand Stream are subject to change. All information correct at the time of writing.
9. Skilled Worker Stream
The NSNP Skilled Worker Stream allows employers in Nova Scotia to recruit recent international graduates and foreign workers where they are unable to find a suitably qualified skilled worker in Canada.
To apply for this stream, you should:
- have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia
- have at least one year’s experience related to the jbo you have been offered
- if the job is TEER 4 or 5, you must also have six months’ experience with the sponsoring employer
- be aged between 21 and 55
- hold a Canadian high school diploma or recognized international equivalent
- have any necessary skills, training and/or accreditation for the job you have been offered
- have sufficient English or French language skills, specifically:
- CLB/NCLC Level 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 roles
- if English or French is your first language, you will not have to provide evidence of your language ability
- CLB/NCLC Level 4 for TEER 4 or 5 roles
- you will have to prove your language abilities even if English or French is your first language
- CLB/NCLC Level 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 roles
- be able to demonstrate you have the financial means to settle in Nova Scotia