Nova Scotia Nominee Program

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) launched in 2003 to help address economic, and labour market needs through immigration to the province. Immigration to Nova Scotia has tripled over the last 20 years because of the introduction and continuous development of the NSNP and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017. The province’s retention rate has improved because the Nova Scotia PNP and the AIP are looking to match newcomers with job opportunities. Both the PNP and AIP also help make it easier for international graduates and temporary workers to transition to permanent residence.

Nova Scotia offers the following programs:

•    Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

•    Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

•    Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

Nova Scotia Immigration Streams

The federal government uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through Canada’s leading economic class immigration programs.

Candidates in the Express Entry system is a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada regularly holds Express Entry draws, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.

If you get a nomination from an enhanced provincial program, you get an extra 600 CRS points, practically guaranteeing you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You also get your nomination through your Express Entry profile.

You must meet the minimum language requirements for NSNP streams.

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

• You must have an Express Entry profile
• You must be between 21 and 55 years old
• You must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in Nova Scotia in the last three years
• You must have had proper authorization during their time in Nova Scotia, such as a work permit
• You must have a high school diploma/credential or higher
• You must have the language skills required to carry out your jobs:
  • NOC 0 and A – CLB 7
  • NOC B – CLB 5
• You must intend to live in Nova Scotia permanently.

You must first make sure that you are eligible and make sure that you have a valid Express Entry profile if you wish to apply to immigrate to Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry,

When you are ready, apply online on this Nova Scotia webpage. You must include all required information and upload all required documents with your application.

After you submit your application, you will receive a provincial nomination certificate by email. Your nomination will also be confirmed in the Express Entry system. You must accept the nomination on the Express Entry system within 30 days. Once you do, you will be given an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. It will effectively guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

When you receive your invitation to apply, you may apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

•    You must have a valid Express Entry profile

•    You must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on your Express Entry profile

•    You must meet the work experience requirements for your Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class)

•    You must have the required supporting documents to demonstrate work experience

•    You must have enough money to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

•    You must meet the draw-specific eligibility requirements. Each drawing may have additional requirements

The first step is ensuring you are eligible for this stream. You must also have a valid Express Entry profile. You must first receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) to apply. If you have received this letter, you are ready to apply, and you will have 60 days to do so. Find the draw-specific supporting documents you need to upload on the Nova Scotia Nominee Program website. If your application is successful, you will get your nomination certificate by email. Also, it will be confirmed in the Express Entry system. You’ll have 30 days to accept your Express Entry system nominations. You will then be given an extra 600 CRS points, and you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. When you receive your invitation to apply, you may apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Needs a job offer? Yes

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

• You must have a valid Express Entry profile
• You must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on your Express Entry profile
• You must have a job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner, family physician, or a specialist physician (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112)
• You must meet the work experience requirements for your Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class)
• You must have the required supporting documents to demonstrate work experience
• You must commit to staying in the province for two years, by sending a signed Return for Service Agreement to the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
• You must have enough money to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

The first step is ensuring you are eligible for this stream. You must also have a valid Express Entry profile. You must first receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) to apply. If you have received this letter, you are ready to apply, and you will have 60 days to do so. Find the draw-specific supporting documents you need to upload on the Nova Scotia Nominee Program website. If your application is successful, you will get your nomination certificate by email. Also, it will be confirmed in the Express Entry system. You’ll have 30 days to accept your Express Entry system nominations. You will then be given an extra 600 CRS points, and you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. When you receive your invitation to apply, you may apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Needs a job offer? Yes

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Minimum Requirements:

• You must be between 21 and 55 years old
• You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
• You must have at least a high school education
• You must have the education, training, licensing, or certification required to carry out your job duties
• You must have at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the last five years
• You must meet language requirements:
  • NOC 0, A or B – CLB 5 in English or French
  • NOC C or D – CLB 4 in English or French; You must intend to settle in Nova Scotia
• You must have enough money to settle permanently in Nova Scotia
• The employer must also meet additional requirements.

Make sure you are eligible, then prepare your application by visiting this webpage. Gather and upload your required documents and submit your application. If successful, you will receive your nomination certificate in your email or your representative’s email. Your nomination will also be directly sent to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The next step is to apply for permanent residence now with IRCC within six months. You can also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI for a temporary work permit. This would allow you to stay in Nova Scotia while you wait for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

Needs a job offer? Yes

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: At least 3 months

Occupations:

• Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
• Food and beverage servers (NOC 6513)
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations (NOC 6711)
• Light duty cleaners (NOC 6731)
• Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511)
• Heavy equipment operators, except crane (NOC 7521)
• Construction trades helpers and labourers (NOC 7611)

• You must be between 21 and 55 years old
• You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the occupations outlined above
• You must have one year of relevant work experience
• You must have at least a high school education
• You must have the appropriate training or education required for the job
• You must meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 4
• You must have enough money to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

• The first step is ensuring you are eligible for this immigration stream. Next, gather and upload the required documents and submit your application through this webpage. If you are successful, you will get a nomination certificate in your or your representative’s email. Also, your nomination will be directly sent to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

  Now, you can apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC. You must do so within six months. You can also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI for a temporary work permit. It would allow you to stay in Nova Scotia while you wait for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

• Needs a job offer? Yes

  Application Fee: None

  Processing Time: At least 3 months

  Occupations:

  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
  • Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214)

• • You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an occupation listed above
  • You must be between 21 and 55 years old
  • You must have at least a high school education
  • You must have completed a course of study that is at least 30 weeks long, in the last three years. At least half of the program must have been completed in Nova Scotia
  • You must have the certifications required for the job
  • You must meet the language requirement of CLB 5
  • You must have enough money to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

• • The first step is ensuring you are eligible for this immigration stream. Next, gather and upload the required documents and submit your application through this webpage. If you are successful, you will get a nomination certificate in your or your representative’s email. Also, your nomination will be directly sent to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

    Now, you can apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC. You must do so within six months. You can also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI for a temporary work permit. It would allow you to stay in Nova Scotia while you wait for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

• • Needs a job offer? No

    Application Fee: None

    Processing Time: At least 3 months

    Minimum Requirements:

    • You must be at least 21 years old
    • You must have a minimum of CAD $600,000 in Net Business and Personal Assets
    • You must have accumulated your net worth through legal means
    • You must have a minimum of three years of business ownership experience (at least a third ownership) or more than five years in a senior business manager role in the last 10 years
    • You must agree to make a minimum capital investment of CAD $150,000 in Nova Scotia to establish or purchase your business
    • You must meet the language requirements of CLB 5 in English or French
    • You must have at least a high school education
    • You must have a Business Establishment Plan
    • You must agree to live in Nova Scotia

• • First, make sure you are eligible. Once satisfied, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Nova Scotia through this webpage. You will be given a point score based on the answers you provide. The highest-ranking candidates may receive an invitation to apply.

    You will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) from Nova Scotia if selected. The next step will be to prepare and submit your application to Nova Scotia. You must submit the following:

    •    An Application Form

    •    A Business Establishment Plan

    •    A Net Worth Verification Report

    After you receive your ITA, you will have 20 days to choose and notify Nova Scotia of your chosen Net Worth Verifier.

    You’ll have 90 days to submit your application form, required documents, and the Business Establishment Plan after receiving an ITA.

    You’ll have 180 days to submit your Net Worth Verification Report after receiving an ITA. You will be invited to attend an in-person interview if you meet the requirements. After that, you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to review and sign. After submitting your BPA, Nova Scotia will send you an Entrepreneur Approval Letter, as well as instructions on how you can apply for a work permit. This document allows you to live in Nova Scotia while you set up your business.

    You must apply for a work permit within two months of receiving your Entrepreneur Approval Letter. After you receive your work permit, you are expected to arrive in Nova Scotia within 12 months. You must also meet with NSOI staff within 60 days of your arrival.

    You must fulfill the terms outlined in the BPA, and you must transfer the required funds to Canada. After that, you can request a Nova Scotia nomination by completing a Nomination Request Form. You’ll have to provide details of your business and submit Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report.

    If you are successful, you will receive a letter that confirms that a Nomination has been issued. Your nomination will be sent directly to IRCC. This expires after six months. After that, you can apply for permanent residence now with IRCC.

• • Minimum Requirements:

    • You must have a full-time Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree that is at least two years long
    • You must have lived in Nova Scotia full time during your academic program
    • You must intend to live in Nova Scotia permanently
    • You must have already owned and operated a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year before submitting your EOI
    • You must meet the language requirement of CLB 7
    • You must be at least 21 years old
    • You must have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit
    • You must own a third of the equity of the eligible business
    • You must have participated in the daily management of the business
    • You must show that you are receiving compensation from the business, as a salary

     

    How it works:

    First, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Nova Scotia through this webpage. You will be given a point score based on the answers you provide. The highest-ranking candidates may receive an invitation to apply.

    You will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) from Nova Scotia if selected.

    The next step will be to prepare and submit your application to Nova Scotia. You must submit the following:

    •    An Application Form

    •    All your supporting documents

    •    A Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report

     

    You can submit your application through this webpage. You must also select one of the designated Financial Statement Review Service Providers, who will assess your financial statements and provide the required reports.

    After you receive your ITA, you will have 20 days to choose and notify Nova Scotia of your chosen Financial Statement Review Service Provider. You’ll have 90 days after receiving an ITA, to submit your application form, required documents, and the Review Engagement and Special Purpose.

    You will be invited to attend an in-person interview if you meet the requirements. After that, if the officer is satisfied, you will be nominated for permanent residence. If you are successful, you will receive a letter that confirms that a Nomination has been issued. Your nomination will be sent directly to IRCC. After that, you can apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC. You must do so within six months.