Nova Scotia, although being Canada’s second-smallest province, has a vast amount of natural resources and a growing demand for highly qualified professionals. If you desire to immigrate to this lovely province, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program can be your ticket (NSPNP).
What Immigration Streams Operate Under The NSPNP?
If you match the qualifications for the NSPNP’s seven streams, you may be able to enter Canada sooner than you expect.
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
If you are applying under Category A, you must:
- have a registered and valid profile in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system;
- hold at least 67 points on the Stream’s selection factors;
- have a valid full-time employment offer from a Nova Scotia employer, which holds for at least one year after your permanent residency (PR) visa is issued;
- possess at least 1 year of relevant skilled work experience;
- have at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for either English or French language ability;
- have at least a Canadian high-school credential, or equivalent; and
- prove that you have enough financial ability to settle in Nova Scotia.
However, if you are applying for Category B, you are required to:
- belong to one of the target occupations as decided by the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry guide;
- have a registered and valid profile in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system;
- hold at least 67 points on the Stream’s selection factors;
- possess at least 1 year of skilled work experience on a target occupation;
- have of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for either English or French;
- have at least a Canadian high-school credential, or equivalent; and
- prove that you have enough financial ability to settle in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
This stream chooses highly skilled individuals who want to permanently reside in Nova Scotia.
If you want to enter Canada through this NSPNP stream, then you must:
- have a registered and valid profile in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system;
- have of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for either English or French language ability if you’re applying through skilled work in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 0 and A, and a CLB 5 for NOC B jobs;
- have at least a Canadian high-school credential, or equivalent;
- have at least one year of work experience inside of Nova Scotia; and
- meet the age requirement of 21 to 55 years old.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
This stream chooses potential candidates in the federal Express Entry system that can help fill provincial labour market needs.
For you to qualify, you need to:
- receive a Letter of Interest from the NSPMP within the Express Entry system;
- meet the minimum work-experience requirements of the specific Express Entry stream you qualified in;
- prove that you have sufficient financial capability to pay for immigration costs, travel expenses, and to successfully establish yourself and any dependents in Nova Scotia;
- hold legal status in your current territory of residence; and
- meet any and all other eligibility requirements that are in effect at the time that you’re issued your Letter of Interest.
Physician Stream
This stream helps the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) to recruit and retain physicians with the necessary abilities for roles that have been unable to be filled by a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.
The Physician stream only accepts general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and specialist physicians (NOC 3111) with signed approved job opportunities with the NSHA or the IWK on official respective letterheads.
The approved job opportunity must also:
- be signed and dated by an individual that is authorized to recruit physicians at the NSHA or IWK;
- be signed and dated by you, the applicant that is accepting the opportunity;
- indicated your eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS; and
- indicate that you are eligible to apply for credentials and privileges with the NSHA and the IWK.
Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is designed for business owners or company leaders who desire to relocate to Nova Scotia. To qualify for this NSPNP stream, you must:
- be at least 21 years old;
- wish to reside permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and operating a company in the province;
- have at least $600,000 CAD in net worth;
- be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money in a Nova Scotia business;
have at least 3 years’ active management and ownership experience (1/3 ownership minimum) OR have more than 5 years experience in a senior company management job; - have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of at least 5 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French; and
- complete an Expression of Interest online and receive an Invitation to Apply from the province’s Office of Immigration.
International Graduate Entrepreneur
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is by invitation only and is open to recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or community college.
If you want to apply to this stream, you must:
- want to reside in Nova Scotia permanently while owning and operating a Nova Scotia business;
- have at least one year of continuous active management and control of your present Nova Scotia business (at 100 percent ownership);
- having earned a degree or diploma after completing at least two academic years of full-time, on-campus study at a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College;
- have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in English or French in speaking, listening, reading, and writing;
- receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration;
- hold a valid post-graduation work permit; and
- complete an Expression of Interest online.
Skilled Worker Stream
Employers can use the Skilled Worker stream to find foreign employees and recently graduated international students with skills that are needed in Nova Scotia. Employers are only allowed to hire foreign employees if they are unable to fill positions with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
The requirements you need to qualify for this stream is to:
- have a full-time, permanent employment offer from a company in Nova Scotia;
- have one year of work experience in a career that is similar to the job (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have worked for the company for at least six months.);
- demonstrate language competence at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5. That is sufficient proof if English or French is your first language. Even if their primary language is English or French, semi-skilled and low-skilled individuals must have test results to verify they fulfill CLB 4;
- possess the necessary training, skills, and/or accreditation for the position;
- demonstrate that you have the financial means to settle in Nova Scotia;
- be between the ages of 21 and 55; and
- possess a high school diploma
Here Are Related Topics You Can Read Now
Explore your Options: Canadian Immigration Pathways
Immigrate to Canada with Express Entry
List of Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada