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Dear future neighbour,

When you’re ready to embark on your journey to the stunning landscapes of Nova Scotia, consider applying through a stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). This program offers a pathway for skilled and experienced individuals to receive a nomination, allowing you to bring your talents to the thriving job market that awaits you in this beautiful province.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) sees a high volume of applications, and if you’ve already submitted yours, it remains on file. Keep in mind that decisions are processed based on shifting economic and labor market priorities, which can change unexpectedly. While your application may meet eligibility criteria, an assessment or a nomination is not guaranteed.

Below are the streams and their eligibility requirements:

1. Skilled Worker:

The Skilled Worker stream aids employers in finding foreign workers and recent international graduates with in-demand skills in Nova Scotia. Employers may only hire foreign workers for roles they cannot fill with Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply, candidate must:

• have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
• have 1 year of work experience related to the job. Workers in TEER category 4 or 5 of the National Occupational Classification must already have six months’ experience with the employer.);
• be 21 to 55 years old;
• have a high school diploma;
• have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
• prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if you are in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. If your first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Workers in a NOC TEER category 4 or 5 occupation must have test results to prove they meet CLB 4 even if their first language is English or French;
• show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

2. Occupations In Demand

The Occupations in Demand stream focuses on specific TEER category 3, 4, or 5 occupations from the National Occupational Classification that are currently in high demand in Nova Scotia’s labor market. This targeted approach aims to address critical workforce needs within the province.

Labour, Skills, and Immigration regularly identifies in-demand occupations using labor market information, and eligible positions may change over time. This ensures that the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of Nova Scotia’s economy.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply, candidate must:

• have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in either
  • NOC 33102 (Nurse Aides)
  • NOC 65310 (Light duty cleaners)
  • NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers)
  • NOC 73400 (Heavy equipment operators)
  • NOC 75110 (Construction trades helpers and labourers)
• have 1 year of work experience related to the job;
• be 21 to 55 years old;
• have a high school diploma;
• have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
• prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 even if your first language is English or French;
• show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

3. Critical Construction Worker Pilot

The Critical Construction Worker Pilot – Job Offer Pathway is designed exclusively for individuals who hold a permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the construction sector. To qualify, your job offer must be among the approved NOCs listed below.

ELIGIBILITY

• To apply you must:
• have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the construction sector (NAICS 23) in one of these NOCs:
  • 70010 – Construction managers
  • 70011 – Home building and renovation managers
  • 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
  • 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
  • 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
  • 72102 – Sheet metal workers
  • 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
  • 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • 72201 – Industrial electricians
  • 72310 – Carpenters
  • 72320 – Bricklayers
  • 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • 72500 – Crane operators
  • 73100 – Concrete finishers
  • 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
  • 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
  • 75101 – Material handlers
  • 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers
  • 75119 – Other trades helpers and labourers
• have 1 year of work experience related to the job;
• have a high school diploma OR proof you have completed a construction specific industry training program;
• be 21 to 55 years old;
• prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) or CLB Level 4 (NOC TEER 4 and 5) even if your first language is English or French;
• show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

4. International Graduates in Demand:

The International Graduates in Demand stream targets recent international graduates whose skills and education align with specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) job categories. Currently, this stream is open to applicants in these job categories:

• NOC 32102: Paramedical occupations
• NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians
• NOC 33102: nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• NOC 42202: early childhood educators and assistants

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in a job category listed above that corresponds with your recent field of study;
• be 19 to 55 years old;
• have a high school diploma;
• have met requirements for completing a program of study at an eligible Nova Scotia designated learning institution within three years of your application. The program must have been at least 30 weeks in length. You must have completed at least 50% of the program in Nova Scotia.
  • If you are applying under NOC 32102 or 32124, your program must grant a diploma.
  • If you are applying under NOC 33102, your program must grant a certificate, diploma, or degree.
  • If you are applying under NOC 42202, your program must grant a diploma or a degree.
• have certifications issued by NS regulatory bodies required for the job;
• prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5;
• show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

5. International Graduate Entrepreneur:

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College who have either started or purchased a business in the province and have been operating it for at least a year. Those planning to settle in Nova Scotia may receive a nomination for permanent resident status. Applications to this stream are accepted by invitation only.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
• have at least one year’s continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business (33.33% ownership minimum);
• have completed a degree or diploma after at least 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College;
• have a valid post-graduation work permit;
• have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
• complete an online Expression of Interest;
• receive an Invitation to Apply from Labour, Skills and Immigration.

6. Entrepreneur:

The Entrepreneur Stream is designed for experienced business owners or senior managers looking to establish their lives in Nova Scotia. Applicants must start a new business or purchase an existing one, actively managing it on a daily basis. After operating the business for a year, they may receive a nomination for permanent resident status. Applications to this stream are accepted by invitation only.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• be 21 years of age or older;
• want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
• have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD ($400,000 CAD if your business is outside Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM));
• be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia ($100,000 CAD if your business is outside HRM);
• have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role;
• have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
• complete an online Expression of Interest;
• receive an Invitation to Apply from Labour, Skills and Immigration.

7. Physician:

The Physician Stream supports Nova Scotia’s public health authorities—specifically the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK)—in hiring general practitioners, family physicians, and specialists. This stream has helped the NSHA and IWK recruit and retain physicians with essential skills for positions that they have struggled to fill with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.

ELIGIBILITY

The Physician Stream is only open to general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) with signed approved opportunities with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.

The approved opportunity must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and must:

• Be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire physicians at the NSHA or IWK
• Be signed and dated by the applicant who is accepting the opportunity
• Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
• Indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and the IWK

8. Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream for physicians allows selected candidates to apply for nomination through the federal Express Entry system. Only those with an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre can apply after receiving a Letter of Interest from Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI). General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) will receive this letter once LSI is informed of their Express Entry profile number and signed job offer.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• have an approved opportunity from the NSHA or IWK as either a general practitioner and family physician (NOC 31102) or a specialist physician (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101);
• provide a copy of a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness indicating commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years;
• receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system;
• submit your application within 30 calendar days of the date on which your Letter of Interest was issued;
• meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which you have qualified;
• demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia and to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses; and
• have legal status in your current country of residence.

9. Labour Market Priorities

The Labour Market Priorities stream identifies candidates in the federal Express Entry system who align with provincial labor needs for nomination. Only those who receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration are eligible to apply.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system;
• submit your application within 30 calendar days of the date on which your letter of interest was issued;
• meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which you have qualified;
• demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia and to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses;
• have legal status in your current country of residence;
• meet eligibility criteria in place at the time you are issued a Letter of Interest;
• and have a valid Express Entry number and meet all IRCC criteria for the Express Entry pool.

10. Experience: Express Entry

The Experience: Express Entry stream targets skilled individuals seeking permanent residency in Nova Scotia. Applicants must have at least one year of work experience in the province in a TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

• have at least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia;
• be 21 to 55 years old;
• have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
• prove language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). You need CLB 7 for skilled work in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) category 0 and 1. You need CLB 5 for NOC category 2 and 3 positions;
• have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system