Consisting of more than 3000 islands, Nova Scotia is famous for its natural beauty and the thriving capital city of Halifax, which is a highly regarded cultural center.
Halifax is also popular for a high standard of living and wonderful local cuisine and has a booming economy that requires immigrant workers with particular skills.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) targets foreign workers whom the Government of Nova Scotia believes have skills that will be of benefit to the economy and community of the province. Those deemed of interest will be issued an NSPN Certificate and may be eligible to apply via one of the following immigration pathways:
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry – using an Expression of Interest (EOI) scheme, this stream is aligned with the federal government-run Express Entry pathway. It is aimed at highly skilled immigrants who have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool and who have skills relevant to one of 11 occupations that are eligible for the scheme. Express Entry works as follows:
Express Entry is a fast-track process run by the federal government of Canada that applies to applicants using the Nova Scotia Express Entry program. The applicant is required to submit an online profile. This will include details of their age, marital status, work experience, education, and other details. A rank will be determined using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Those who score highly on the CRS, which is a pass or fail assessment, will be put into the Express Entry Pool. From the pool, a draw is made regularly and those who are successful are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). At this stage, they can begin applying for permanent residence in Nova Scotia. As with all pathways, there are strict criteria that must be met.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry – also using the Express Entry scheme, this stream is for persons who have worked in Nova Scotia on a temporary work visa for at least a year in an eligible occupation.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities – the Government of Nova Scotia can select individuals via this stream of the NSNP who meet specific labor requirements of the time, which change as required.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians – candidates must have a valid permanent job offer as a general practitioner or a specialist physician in Nova Scotia
Skilled Worker Scheme – skilled workers who have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer may apply via this pathway. Those who have offers for semi or unskilled positions may also be able to apply.
Occupation in Demand – candidates suitable for jobs that are in high demand and meet NOC skill level C are invited to use this route.
Entrepreneur Stream – persons wishing to start or acquire a business in Nova Scotia may be targeted under this scheme. They will need to prove they have the funding and are financially able to settle in Nova Scotia.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – this pathway is for international students who have graduated from a Nova Scotia educational establishment and have operated a business in the province for at least one year now wish to take up permanent residence.
Physician Stream – general practitioners and physicians who are internationally trained and have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer may apply via this stream.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programme – the Atlantic regions of Canada are in great need of skilled workers, hence Nova Scotia is one of four provinces taking part in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Scheme run by the Canadian Government. Applicants may be in Canada or otherwise at the time of application and must have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer and meet the criteria for the program.
All of the above require the candidate to meet specific language proficiency standards in English or French.