Known as the gem of Canada’s Atlantic coast, Nova Scotia offers not only picturesque landscapes but also a friendly and welcoming community. If you love this region and are looking for opportunities to immigrate to Canada, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) is a suitable option. Explore the detailed streams of the NSNP with Phan Immigration in the following article.
Overview of the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP)
The Nova Scotia Immigration Program, also known as the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), is designed by the provincial government to attract skilled and experienced immigrants who can contribute to the economic and social development of Nova Scotia, while addressing labor shortages in in-demand occupations. Successful NSNP nominees have the opportunity to obtain Canadian permanent residency.
Since its launch in 2003, the NSNP has achieved significant success and continued growth. Combined with the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (launched in 2017), the number of immigrants settling in Nova Scotia has tripled over the past 20 years. Today, Nova Scotia welcomes over 7,000 new immigrants annually, offering excellent opportunities to enjoy a high quality of life, career development, and a friendly, welcoming community.
Overview of Nova Scotia Immigration Programs (NSNP)
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is a pathway under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), designed to attract experienced entrepreneurs to Nova Scotia to establish or acquire a business and settle permanently. This program not only serves as a route to Canadian permanent residency but also provides an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow their business careers in Nova Scotia’s dynamic and promising economic environment.
Program Requirements
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
- Intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia while actively owning and managing a business in the province.
- Have a net worth of at least CAD 600,000 (or CAD 400,000 if the business is outside the Halifax Regional Municipality – HRM).
- Be able to invest a minimum of CAD 150,000 of personal funds to establish a business in Nova Scotia (or CAD 100,000 if the business is outside HRM).
- Have at least 3 years of active business ownership and management experience (with a minimum of one-third ownership) or over 5 years of senior management experience in a business.
- Achieve a minimum of CLB 5 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French.
- Submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Receive a Letter of Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration.
Processing Times
- Provincial nomination: from 15 months.
- Permanent residency (PR) processing: from 21 months.
Nova Scotia Immigration via the Atlantic Immigration Program
The Nova Scotia Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal initiative closely coordinated with the four Atlantic provinces, including Nova Scotia. To participate in this program, applicants must have a job offer from an employer designated by the Nova Scotia provincial government.
You can also explore immigration to New Brunswick, which offers a flexible NBPNP for skilled workers and international students.
Program Requirements
- Receive a job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia.
- Have a Settlement Plan.
- Obtain a Provincial Nomination Certificate from Nova Scotia.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Nova Scotia.
- Meet the minimum criteria for education, language skills, work experience, or graduation requirements depending on the immigration stream.
Processing Time
- Provincial nomination: 3–6 months.
- PR application: approximately 10 months.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program: Skilled Worker Stream
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) through the Skilled Worker Stream is designed to attract skilled foreign workers and recent international graduates who have the skills and qualifications needed to meet the labor market demands of the province. This program offers international workers an opportunity to obtain Canadian permanent residency and build a life in Nova Scotia.
Program Requirements
- Age: You must be between 21 and 55 years old.
- Job Offer: You must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
- Work Experience: You must have at least one year of relevant work experience. Workers in TEER categories 4 or 5 only need six months of experience with the same employer.
- Education: You must have a high school diploma.
- Training & Certification: You must have the necessary training, skills, and certifications for the job.
- Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of at least 5 for TEER categories 0, 1, 2, and 3, or a CLB level of 4 for TEER categories 4 and 5.
- Settlement Funds: You must show that you have enough funds to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 3 to 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 21 months
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream is a program that allows Nova Scotia to proactively search and select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool. The program is designed to nominate candidates who have work experience in specific occupations that are in high demand and urgent need within the province.
Program Requirements
- You must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) while in the Express Entry pool.
- You must submit your application within 30 calendar days from the date your Letter of Interest was issued.
- You must meet the minimum work experience requirements for the Express Entry stream you are eligible for.
- You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to successfully settle in Nova Scotia, which includes covering immigration and travel costs for yourself and your family.
- You must have legal status in your current country of residence.
- You must meet the eligibility criteria in effect at the time your Letter of Interest was issued.
- You must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet all of IRCC’s criteria for the Express Entry candidate pool.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 3 to 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 7 months
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream is a program specifically designed for international doctors who wish to immigrate to the province. The program proactively selects physicians from the Express Entry pool who have an approved job offer from the NSHA/IWK (Nova Scotia Health Authority / IWK Health Centre) and who are committed to serving the local public healthcare system. This is a prioritized and efficient pathway for highly skilled doctors to settle permanently in Nova Scotia and contribute to the province’s healthcare services.
Program Requirements
- You must have an approved job offer from either the NSHA (Nova Scotia Health Authority) or the IWK (IWK Health Centre) as a General Practitioner/Family Physician (NOC 31102) or as a Specialist Physician (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101).
- You must provide a copy of a signed Return of Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, demonstrating your commitment to living and working in Nova Scotia for a minimum of two years.
- You must receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP within the Express Entry system.
- You must submit your NSNP application within 30 days of the date your Letter of Interest was issued.
- You must meet the minimum work experience requirements for the Express Entry stream you are eligible for.
- You must demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully settle in Nova Scotia for yourself and your family, including covering immigration and travel costs.
- You must have legal status in your current country of residence.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 7 months
Nova Scotia Physician Stream
The Nova Scotia Physician Stream is a dedicated immigration pathway for international doctors who wish to practice medicine and settle in Nova Scotia. This stream facilitates the immigration process for general practitioners, family doctors, and specialist physicians who have an approved job offer from the NSHA/IWK and have signed a Return of Service Agreement with the province. The program’s goal is to attract and retain talented healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality medical services for the community.
Program Requirements
This stream is only for General Practitioners/Family Physicians (NOC 31102) and Specialist Physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) who have an approved and signed job offer with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre (IWK).
The approved job offer must be presented on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and must:
- Be signed and dated by the person authorized to hire physicians at NSHA or IWK.
- Be signed and dated by the applicant accepting the job offer.
- Specify that the applicant is eligible for a medical license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
- State that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and IWK.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 18 to 24 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 21 months.
Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Stream
The Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Stream is a program for skilled workers who have experience in occupations that are experiencing a labor shortage in the province. This stream provides an opportunity for international workers with a long-term job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the designated occupations. The program’s goal is to attract individuals with the right skills to live and work in Nova Scotia, helping to meet the province’s labor market needs.
Program Requirements
- You must have a full-time, long-term job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the following NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes:
- NOC 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates)
- NOC 65310 (Light duty cleaners)
- NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers)
- NOC 73400 (Heavy equipment operators)
- NOC 75110 (Construction trades helpers and labourers)
- You must have one year of relevant work experience for the job listed in your offer.
- You must be between 21 and 55 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma.
- You must have the appropriate training, skills, and/or certification for the job.
- You must demonstrate language ability equivalent to a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of 4, even if your first language is English or French.
- You must show that you have enough financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 3 to 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 21 months
Critical Nova Scotia Construction Worker Pilot
The Critical Nova Scotia Construction Worker Pilot is a new stream within the Nova Scotia Nominee Program designed to address the province’s construction labor shortages. This program is exclusively for skilled construction workers in specific, high-demand NOC codes. Through this pilot, international construction workers with a long-term job offer have the opportunity to immigrate to Canada and build a stable career in the province’s booming construction sector.
Program Requirements
- You must have a full-time, long-term job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the construction sector (NAICS 23) in one of the following NOC occupations:
- 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
- You must have at least one year of work experience related to the job in your offer.
- You must have a high school diploma or proof of completion of a specific vocational training program in the construction trade.
- You must be between 21 and 55 years old.
- You must demonstrate language ability equivalent to a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of 5 (for NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) or 4 (for NOC TEER 4 and 5), even if your first language is English or French.
- You must show that you have sufficient financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 3 to 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 21 months
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream is an accelerated pathway for skilled workers who have work experience in Nova Scotia and an active profile in the federal Express Entry system. This stream allows the province to nominate eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool if they have at least one year of work experience within the province.
Program Requirements
- You must have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
- You must be between 21 and 55 years old.
- You must have a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent.
- You must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). You need a CLB of 7 for skilled jobs in NOC TEER 0 and 1. You need a CLB of 5 for positions in NOC TEER 2 and 3.
- You must have a registered profile in the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Express Entry system.
Processing Times
- NSNP Application: 3 to 6 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: 7 months
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a pathway for international students who have graduated from a Nova Scotian university and wish to start a business and settle in the province. This program will help you establish and operate a business in Nova Scotia, while leveraging your Canadian education and experience to turn your business idea into a reality.
Program Requirements
- You must intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia while actively owning and managing your business.
- You must have at least one year of continuous experience managing and owning your current business in Nova Scotia, with a minimum of one-third ownership.
- You must have completed a bachelor’s degree or a college diploma from a full-time program of at least two years at a Nova Scotian university or the Nova Scotia Community College.
- You must hold a valid post-graduation work permit.
- You must achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 in all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, in either English or French.
- You must complete an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
- You must receive an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
Processing Times
- Provincial Nomination: Up to 15 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: Up to 21 months
International Graduates in Demand Stream
The Nova Scotia International Graduates in Demand Stream is a dedicated pathway for international students who have graduated from a Nova Scotian educational institution and have the skills and training in occupations prioritized by the province. This stream is specifically designed to help international graduates leverage their Canadian credentials to quickly immigrate and meet Nova Scotia’s urgent labor market needs.
Program Requirements
- You must have a full-time, long-term job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an occupation listed below that is relevant to your recent field of study.
- You must be between 19 and 55 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma.
- You must have completed your program within three years of applying, at a designated learning institution in Nova Scotia. The program must have been at least 30 weeks long, or 24 weeks for NOC 33102 (Continuing Care Assistants and Nurse Aides). You must have completed at least 50% of the program in Nova Scotia.
- If you are applying under NOC 32102 (Paramedical Occupations) or 32124 (Medical Laboratory Technologists), your program must have been a college diploma.
- If you are applying under NOC 33102 (Continuing Care Assistants and Nurse Aides), your program must have been a certificate, diploma, or bachelor’s degree.
- If you are applying under NOC 42202 (Early Childhood Educators and Assistants), your program must have been a college diploma or bachelor’s degree.
- You must have the required professional license or certification from a Nova Scotian regulatory body for your job.
- You must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of 5.
- You must show that you have enough financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
Processing Times
- Provincial Nomination: Up to 15 months
- Permanent Residence (PR) Application: Up to 21 months
Benefits of Immigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada
Immigrating through the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) offers a wide range of benefits for newcomers. The province is known for its welcoming community and high quality of life.
Key Advantages
- Friendly Community: The people of Nova Scotia are known for being friendly and helpful, making it easier for new immigrants to feel at home.
- Affordable Living: The cost of living and housing prices in Nova Scotia are generally lower than the Canadian average, which helps new residents settle in and get on their feet financially.
- Convenient Transportation: Halifax has an international airport, providing convenient travel both domestically and abroad. Public transportation is accessible, though many residents find personal cars offer more flexibility. New immigrants can use their home country’s driver’s license for up to 90 days before needing to obtain a Nova Scotian license.
- Healthcare: After three months of residency, immigrants are eligible for a health card and free medical insurance. The province has a high-quality healthcare system, with easy access to family doctors and community-based medical services.
- Education: Public schooling from kindergarten to high school is free. The education system offers programs in both English and French. Public schools also provide support for new students through English Language Learning (ELL) programs. Additionally, low-income families can receive childcare subsidies. The curriculum is focused on developing skills in citizenship, communication, critical thinking, and technology.
Frequently Asked Questions about the NSNP
Is a job offer required to apply for the NSNP?
Not all streams of the Nova Scotia PNP require a job offer. Some streams that do not require one include: the Entrepreneur Stream, Express Entry Stream, Labour Market Priorities Stream, International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, International Graduates in Demand Stream, and Physician Stream.
Does the NSNP have a minimum CRS score requirement?
Most NSNP streams do not have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement. However, for streams linked to Express Entry, candidates must be eligible to enter the Express Entry pool before they can be considered. A higher CRS score can still increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply from the NSNP.
After receiving an NSNP nomination, can I move to another province?
Once you obtain permanent residency (PR) through the NSNP, you are legally permitted to move to another province. However, it is advisable to live in Nova Scotia for at least 1–2 years to demonstrate your initial commitment to the province and avoid any suspicion about your intentions.
The NSNP serves as a solid bridge for your dreams and provides a clear answer to your question of how to immigrate to Canada. With its diverse range of streams, the NSNP allows skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students to access a high quality of life and a bright future in this beautiful province.
