Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) offers a number of avenues for foreign nationals to immigrate permanently to Nova Scotia. The NSNP targets skilled workers, selected critical occupations, international graduates and entrepreneurs.
How Does Nova Scotia Nominee Program Work?
Nova Scotia Nominee Program, like other provincial nominee programs (PNP), issues to approved candidates so called ‘Provincial Nominee Certificate.’ With the certificate, foreign nationals may apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Nova Scotia PNP uses a combination of ‘first come, first served’, ‘Expression of Interest’ and ‘provincial search’ systems for processing provincial nominee applications. Review the provincial immigration streams below for details.
Under the ‘first come, first served’ system, candidates may submit their provincial nominee application as soon as they meet the eligibility requirements of their chosen immigration stream.
The ‘Expression of Interest’ streams (for entrepreneurs) regularly invite candidates with the highest score to submit their provincial nominee applications. Interested candidates must complete an online Expression of Interest application and answer questions about their language skills, education, work experience, adaptability and economic priorities. Based on their answers, they will receive points score.
Finally, the Nova Scotia PNP also conducts search of candidates registered in the Express Entry system for those with experience in occupations that are needed in the province. Such candidates will receive a ‘Letter of Interest’ and may apply for provincial nomination.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Immigration Streams
Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream is open to both skilled workers and international graduates on first come, first served basis. Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. They must have at least one year of related job experience. Candidates in semi-skilled and low-skilled occupations must work 6 months for the Nova Scotia employer prior to applying. Read more.
Occupations in Demand Stream
The Occupations in Demand Stream is for candidates with at least one year experience in selected occupations (i.e. Nurses and Truck Drivers). Candidates must have a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia and prove language proficiency at or above CLB 4. Applications are accepted on first come, first served basis. Read more.
Physician Stream
The Physician Stream accepts candidates who are general practitioners, family physicians or specialists and have a signed employment opportunity from Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre. Applications are accepted on first come, first served basis. Read more.
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream is for candidates who have an active Express Entry profile; have a skilled job offer (valid job offer under Express Entry) from a Nova Scotia employer and score 67 points on the stream’s six selection factors (Category A). For Category B, candidates must have at least one year experience in one of the target occupations, have an active Express Entry profile and meet the 67 points score requirements. Both categories require CLB 7 language ability. Applications are accepted on first come, first served basis. Read more.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream is open to candidates who have at least one year work experience in Nova Scotia; have an active Express Entry profile and meet the language requirement of CLB 7 for occupations in NOC 0 and A and CLB 5 for occupations in NOC B. Applications are accepted on first come, first served basis. Read more.
Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream accepts candidates based on the score in their Expression of Interest. Qualified applicants must have net worth of at least $600,000 CAD and invest a minimum of $150,000 CAD. In addition, candidates must have at least three years experience managing and owning a business or more than 5 years in a senior management role. Read more.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for candidates who completed at least a 2-year degree or diploma from a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College; have at least one year experience managing and owning your current business in Nova Scotia; have a valid post-graduation work permit; and demonstrate language ability at CLB 7. Read more.
See also Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) as an alternative to Nova Scotia PNP streams.