Immigrate to Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

The Majestic province of Nova Scotia is unique in its sense. The Atlantic Ocean and numerous small islands in the eastern part of the province surround the Nova Scotia peninsula. The significant economic benefit for the province comes from the province’s capital, Halifax. About 400,000 people live in the metropolitan city.

Nova Scotia is indeed a beautiful province, and its vast coastline presents a variety of delicious seafood delicacies. Many foreigners wish to immigrate to Nova Scotia. Fortunately, the province has an immigration program called the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program, which utilises the Express Entry system. The good news is that many people are already actively migrating to Nova Scotia, and the province is prepared to welcome more.

Nova Scotia Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is for skilled professionals. The program is designed to increase immigration to the province. The program selects skilled foreign nationals who can be beneficial to the province’s economy. These individuals can immigrate to Nova Scotia in two different ways.

One of the two options is from outside of Express Entry; the candidate can submit their Express Entry of Interest (EOI) to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI). Assessment is based on a points system, and eligible candidates are invited to apply for the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP or NSNP).

If the individual is nominated through NSNP, they can then move forward to create an Express Entry profile. The other option for an individual to migrate to Canada is to create an Express Entry profile and express their interest in the province. Express Entry begins by looking for profiles that possess the necessary required skills, and candidates meeting the criteria are contacted by NSNP.

Candidates invited to apply for the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program upon being nominated are instantly awarded a 600 CRS score. This score is mostly enough to get a candidate selected to apply for Canada Permanent Residence in the next Express Entry Draw.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program is designed to speed up the immigration process. Immigration is not an easy process and involves considerable complexity. Through the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program, a candidate and their family members can easily migrate to Canada within 6 months after being nominated for immigration.

In the current year, Nova Scotia offers several migration streams that individuals can choose to utilise when migrating to the province.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program includes the following streams:

• Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream
• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
• Skilled Worker Visa
• Family Business Worker Stream

Over the past few years, Nova Scotia has implemented numerous changes to its immigration programs. Although the Express Entry system is relatively new, Nova Scotia has opted to adopt it, which is good news for candidates wishing to migrate to Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is continually introducing new immigration streams, such as the latest Entrepreneur streams.

The streams discontinued by Nova Scotia include the Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominees Stream and the Agri-Food Sector Stream. Nova Scotia is currently introducing new immigration streams to attract skilled professionals.

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is set to experience significant economic growth. The Halifax Shipyard won a $5 Billion Federal Government contract. This amount will be used to set up the Royal Canadian Navy. As building new ships will be required, this also opens doors for mechanics and shipbuilding experts.

All Nova Scotia immigration categories have their own set of rules and requirements that every candidate must comply with. These categories are explained below. This information shared now will benefit you in understanding if you will be eligible to apply for a particular immigration program.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program is mainly employer-driven. It is designed to meet the labour market needs of specific industries and jobs with qualified candidates.

Nova Scotia Immigration Categories

There are several immigration categories that individuals can use to apply for immigration to immigration to Nova Scotia. However, Express Entry makes reaching NSNP quicker and facilitates smooth and faster processing.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program Demand: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Immigration Express Entry Demand came into effect on January 1, 2015. This stream is for skilled professionals with post-secondary or other qualifications.

To qualify for the Nova Scotia Express Entry immigration selection system, a candidate must secure a minimum of 67 points, which are based on specific human factors. The maximum points a candidate can secure are as follows:

• Education – 25 Points
• Work Experience – 15 Points
• Language ability in English or French – 28 Points
• Adaptability – 10 Points
• Age – 12 Points
• Employment Prospects – 12 Points

The candidate must have a minimum of one year of full-time working experience in the last five years in one of the eligible occupations.

Currently, there are 29 eligible occupations under this particular stream, including –

The eligible occupations currently include:

• Financial Auditors and Accountants
• Financial and Investment Analysts
• Human Resources Professionals
• Purchasing Agents and Officers
• Geoscientists and Oceanographers
• Civil Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Electrical and Electronic Engineers
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
• Computer Engineers
• Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
• Database Analysts and Data Administrators
• Software Engineers
• Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
• Web Designers and Developers
• Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Drafting Technologists and Technicians
• Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
• User Support Technicians
• Registered Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Medical Laboratory Technologists and Assistants
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Psychologists
• Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors
• Financial Sales Representatives

Please note that Canada has indicated that the list of eligible occupations may change over time.

Apart from meeting these criteria, candidates must also secure a Canadian Benchmark Score of CLB7 in each of the different components of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Additionally, Nova Scotia advises candidates not to apply for the Express Entry stream if:

• The candidate is not a citizen of the current country of origin or does not have a passport or any other supporting documents
• If the candidate is willing to work in an occupation that is lower than a NOC level C or D
• The candidate is a grandparent, parent, or spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• If the candidate falls under the humanitarian and compassionate grounds, a refugee claimant, or a failed refugee claimant
• If the candidate is living in Canada illegally
• If the candidate is an international student studying post-secondary education at a university in Canada
• If you are a student who studied in Canada but are asked to leave Canada due to contractual obligations
• If the candidate has an unresolved custody or child support dispute
• If the candidate is working as a salesperson based on commission
• If you are a seasonal, part-time or casual worker
• If the candidate intends to start a business or self-employment
• If the candidate is unable to produce proof of funds

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program Experience: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry experience is for candidates who have worked for an employer in Nova Scotia for 12 months or more. The program allows these candidates to become permanent residents. Even though candidates who seem eligible for the program must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be in the age group of 21 to 55
• The candidate should have a minimum of 1 year of work experience working for an employer in the province of Nova Scotia in the last 3 years.
• The candidate should have worked for the employer under proper authorisation and with a work permit.
• He should have completed his education from a Canadian institute or a recognised Canadian university (Educational Credential Assessment required)
• Should be proficient in English or French
• Should be able to demonstrate the reason to live and work in the province of Nova Scotia

You should not apply for Nova Scotia Experience Express Entry if you are:

• Not a citizen of their country of residence
• Planning to take up a job classified by the National Occupation in code C or D
• A refugee claimant, a humanitarian, a parent, a grandparent, a spouse or a Canadian permanent citizen living in any other country
• Living illegally in Canada or under a removal order
• An International student enrolled in a Canadian institution or university
• A graduate who has been sponsored to study in Canada by a foreign government
• A holder of a work permit for a job of NOC level C or D
• Spouse of an international graduate currently studying at a Canadian educational institution, but not in their final academic year
• A person involved in a child custody dispute that is not yet resolved
• Practising a sales job and relying solely on commission
• A person who is qualified with 1 year of work experience was not based in Nova Scotia
• Living in Canada under the Caregiver Program
• Self-employed or intending to start a business in Nova Scotia
• A passive investor in Nova Scotia businesses without being actively involved in day-to-day operations

Skilled Worker Stream

After the PNP Express Entry demand, the second most popular PNP category is the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream. This stream helps provincial employers recruit and hire foreign skilled workers who can meet the workforce demand in Nova Scotia. The Skilled Worker Stream is furthermore divided into three sub-categories. Each of these categories has its eligibility criteria.

Skilled Workers

The first sub-category under the Skilled Worker Stream is the Skilled Workers. This category is for candidates who hold work experience in a NOC level of A, O or B occupation. Priority is given to these highly skilled candidates.

Semi-Skilled Workers

The second sub-category under the Skilled Worker Stream is the semi-skilled workers. This category is for candidates who hold work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level C occupation. The candidate will need to meet all the eligibility criteria and should have worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer to be considered eligible.

Low-Skilled Workers

The third sub-category under the Skilled Worker Stream is the low-skilled workers. This category is for candidates who hold work experience in a NOC level D occupation. Again, the candidate must meet all the eligibility criteria and have worked for at least 6 months with an employer in Nova Scotia.

These are the eligibility criteria for Skilled, Semi-Skilled and Low-Skilled workers:

• The candidate should have proof of legal status if they are living in Canada
• The candidates should be in the age group of 21 and 55
• The candidate should have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia
• The prospective candidate should have completed at least a high school level of education
• Should have at least one year of relevant work experience
• Should have proof of language proficiency
• Should be willing to settle in Nova Scotia

The employer sponsoring the candidate must also meet specific eligibility criteria. They are as follows:

• The employer should be established in Nova Scotia permanently
• The employer should have operated in Nova Scotia for at least two years
• Should have offered a full-time, permanent job to an applicant
• Jobs offered are in Nova Scotia
• The job offer should include a salary and benefits that meet Nova Scotia employment standards.
• Should have a shortage of qualified Canadians and permanent residents for the job offered
• Should have demonstrated efforts in finding qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the job position

Family Business Worker Stream

The Family Business Worker Stream enables employers operating a business in Nova Scotia to invite their close relatives, such as a spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, or grandchild, to the province.

International Graduate Stream

The International Graduate Stream is designed to help Canadian employers hire international graduates from recognised Canadian Universities. However, the skills that the graduate possesses should be in limited supply with the employer.

Like all other Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program streams, the International Graduate Stream is employer-driven. The student will only be eligible if the employer offers him a full-time, permanent job. Furthermore, the student must be offered a job that is closely related to their education.

The candidate must also meet specific eligibility criteria for age, education, work experience, and language ability.

Entrepreneur Stream

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream is still under development and is the latest entry into the program. Candidates will need to have a net worth of CAD 400,000 or make a minimum equity investment of CAD 150,000. The candidate will also need to enter Canada under a temporary permit for a specific period and demonstrate an intention to settle and do business in Ontario.