Nova Scotia Nominee Program
Immigration to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, a vibrant and lush province in eastern Canada, with its breathtaking coastlines, rich culture, and thriving economy, is a dream destination for immigrants worldwide. If you’re looking to start a new life in this region, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) can be your gateway to a bright future. Designed to attract individuals whose skills, experience, and motivation contribute to Nova Scotia’s economic and social growth, this program offers various pathways to suit different profiles. Here, we outline the diverse streams of the NSNP in detail to help you find the best option for your journey.
Due to the high volume of applications, the NSNP operates based on economic priorities and labor market needs. These priorities may change without notice, and even if you meet the eligibility criteria, there is no guarantee that your application will be reviewed or accepted.
NSNP Streams
- Skilled Worker
- Occupations in Demand
- International Graduates in Demand
- Critical Construction Worker Pilot
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Entrepreneur
- Physician
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
- Labour Market Priorities
- Experience: Express Entry
- Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot (Letter of Interest)
→For expert guidance and to choose the best immigration pathway tailored to your circumstances, contact us today.
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- Skilled Worker
This stream is designed for foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are in demand in Nova Scotia’s labor market. It aims to assist employers in filling job positions that cannot be met by the local workforce.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
- At least one year of work experience related to the job (for jobs in TEER 4 or 5 categories, a minimum of 6 months of experience with the same employer is required).
- Age between 21 and 55 years.
- A high school diploma.
- Relevant training, skills, or certifications required for the job.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 5 for jobs in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories. If your first language is English or French, this is sufficient. For TEER 4 or 5 jobs, you must provide test results confirming CLB Level 4, even if your first language is English or French.
- Sufficient financial resources to settle successfully in Nova Scotia.
- Occupations in Demand
This stream focuses on specific occupations in high demand in Nova Scotia’s labor market, such as nurse aides, light-duty cleaners, transport truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and construction trades helpers. These occupations are identified based on market needs and may change over time.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the in-demand occupations.
- At least one year of work experience related to the job.
- Age between 21 and 55 years.
- A high school diploma.
- Relevant training or skills required for the job.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 4, even if your first language is English or French.
- Sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
- International Graduates in Demand
This stream targets recent international graduates whose education aligns with high-demand occupations in Nova Scotia, such as paramedical occupations, pharmacy technicians, nurse aides and patient service associates, or early childhood educators and assistants.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an occupation related to your field of study.
- Age between 19 and 55 years.
- A high school diploma.
- Completion of a study program of at least 30 weeks (or 24 weeks for nurse aides) within the last three years at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Nova Scotia, with at least 50% of the program completed in the province.
- For paramedical occupations and pharmacy technicians, the program must lead to a diploma.
- For nurse aides, the program must grant a certificate, diploma, or degree.
- For early childhood educators, the program must grant a diploma or degree.
- Necessary certifications from Nova Scotia regulatory bodies.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 5.
- Sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
- Critical Construction Worker Pilot
This stream is for individuals with a job offer in Nova Scotia’s construction sector. Eligible occupations include roles such as construction managers, electricians, carpenters, welders, crane operators, and construction trades helpers.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an approved construction sector occupation.
- At least one year of work experience related to the job.
- A high school diploma or proof of completion of a construction-specific training program.
- Age between 21 and 55 years.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs, or CLB Level 4 for TEER 4 and 5 jobs, even if your first language is English or French.
- Sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
This stream is designed for recent graduates of Nova Scotia universities or the Nova Scotia Community College who have started or purchased a business in the province and intend to settle permanently.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Intent to settle permanently in Nova Scotia and actively manage a business.
- At least one year of continuous experience managing and owning a business in Nova Scotia (with at least 33.33% ownership).
- A degree or diploma after at least two years of full-time, in-person study at a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College.
- A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 7 in English or French.
- Entrepreneur
The Entrepreneur stream targets experienced business owners or senior managers who wish to start or purchase a business in Nova Scotia and actively manage it. After one year of successful operation, candidates may be nominated for permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum age of 21 years.
- Intent to settle permanently in Nova Scotia and actively manage a business.
- A net worth of at least CAD 600,000 (or CAD 400,000 if the business is outside the Halifax Regional Municipality).
- Ability to invest at least CAD 150,000 of personal funds to establish the business (or CAD 100,000 outside Halifax).
- At least 3 years of experience owning and managing a business (with at least 1/3 ownership) or over 5 years of experience in a senior management role.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 5 in English or French.
- Physician
The Physician stream is designed to attract general practitioners, family physicians, and specialists to the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the IWK Health Centre, filling positions unmet by the local workforce.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A confirmed job offer from NSHA or IWK for roles as a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist.
- Eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
- Eligibility for privileges and credentials with NSHA and IWK.
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
This stream targets physicians in the Express Entry system who can meet Nova Scotia’s healthcare needs.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A confirmed job offer from NSHA or IWK for roles as a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist.
- A signed Return of Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, committing to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years.
- Sufficient work experience for the relevant Express Entry stream.
- Adequate financial resources to cover settlement and immigration costs.
- Legal status in your country of residence.
For a comparison between this stream and the Physician stream, click the link below:
https://liveinnovascotia.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/physician-options-EN.pdf
- Labour Market Priorities
This stream selects Express Entry candidates whose skills align with Nova Scotia’s labor market needs.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Sufficient work experience for the relevant Express Entry stream.
- Adequate financial resources to settle yourself and your family in Nova Scotia and cover immigration and travel costs.
- Legal status in your country of residence.
- A valid Express Entry number and meeting IRCC criteria for the Express Entry pool.
- Experience: Express Entry
This stream is for skilled individuals with work experience in Nova Scotia who wish to settle permanently in the province. Applicants must have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in occupations categorized as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in professional or semi-professional occupations.
- Age between 21 and 55 years.
- A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent.
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 7 for TEER 0 and 1 occupations, or CLB Level 5 for TEER 2 and 3 occupations in English or French.
- A registered profile in the IRCC Express Entry system.
- Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot (Letter of Interest)
This stream targets pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the Express Entry system who received a Letter of Interest (LOI) on August 28, 2024.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Receipt of a Letter of Interest (LOI) from Nova Scotia.
- Willingness to work as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in Nova Scotia.
- If offered a conditional job offer from a Nova Scotia healthcare employer, eligibility to apply for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
For healthcare professionals ineligible for this stream, other pathways like Skilled Worker or the Atlantic Immigration Program are viable options.
General Requirements for These Programs:
- A valid job offer from an employer or designated organization.
- A valid passport and legal status in your country of residence.
- A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Language proficiency at CLB Level 5 in English or French.
- At least one year of work experience related to the job offer or healthcare field.
- Intent to settle permanently and live in Nova Scotia.
→ Immigrating to Nova Scotia can be the start of a dream life. Our team, with expertise in the NSNP, is ready to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for personalized consultation.