Nova Scotia PNP
Nova Scotia is the second smallest province of Canada and if you intend to move to beautiful Nova Scotia you will have to apply to a Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) stream.
. The different NSNP streams to find are as follows:
- Physician
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Skilled Worker
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Link to: Nova Scotia In-Demand Occupation List
The application process depends on the stream you qualify for. Overviews of all the streams are given below:
Physician Stream
The Physician Stream is for those potential physicians, they can be general, family or any specialist physician who are willing to work, live and contribute to the health sector of Nova Scotia. The two authorities the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) who employees and hire these physicians.
ELIGIBILITY
The Physician Stream is only open to general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and specialist physicians (NOC 3111) 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
Applications under the Physician stream need two levels of approval before permanent resident status can be obtained:
Level 1: Application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program Physician stream
Level 2: Application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a permanent resident visa
Criteria and Requirements for the Principal Applicant
Criteria | Eligibility Requirements |
Legal status in country of residence | If you are living in Canada, you must give proof of your legal status as a temporary worker or visitor.
If you apply from outside Canada, you must give proof that you have legal status in your country of residence. If you have lost your status, you are not eligible to apply until your status has been restored. |
Job Offer | Written approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre as a:
· General practitioner and family physician (NOC 3112) OR · Specialist physician (NOC 3111) 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 |
Education and training | A copy of an Education Credential Assessment or proof of education and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia. |
Language ability | The ability to do the job in one of Canada’s official languages as shown by an employment offer from the NSHA or the IWK. |
Entrepreneur Stream
Entrepreneur Stream invites Business owners and senior level managers who are willing to work, run, manage their business and live in Nova Scotia for one year before applying for a permanent residency. Note, applications by invitation only and an applicant have to run its business for one year on a Work Permit for at least one year before getting nominate for a PR in Canada.
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;
- be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to set up a business in Nova Scotia;
- 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 the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
Steps for Application
There are six (6) steps an applicant must complete:
Step 1: Expression of Interest Criteria and Process
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
Step 3: In Person Interview and Business Performance Agreement
Step 4: Work Permit and Business Establishment in Nova Scotia
Step 5: Request for Nomination
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence
Please note that if selected, you must run your business for a minimum of one year before you can be considered for nomination for permanent residency.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicant’s Business
In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility criteria above, the applicant’s proposed business must also meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must own at least one-third (33.33%) of the equity of the
- The applicant must provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the
- Businesses must meet the legal requirements of the community in which they
- The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or
- The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations,
- The business is liable to pay income tax on taxable income earned as a result of a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia, irrespective of income or other taxes which may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity.
- The business must be actively managed by the applicant from the place of business in Nova Scotia. The business must not be managed from another place in Nova Scotia or from another Canadian province or territory or other
- The business must have the potential to create significant economic benefit to Nova Scotia. For example:
- Increasing value added manufacturing or processing, exports, destination tourism, research and development, and technology commercialization;
- Developing innovative approaches to traditional businesses
- Transferring technology and specialized knowledge to Nova Scotia; or
- Providing products or services to an under-served local or regional
There are two categories within the Entrepreneur Stream, Starting a New Business and Purchasing an Existing Business. Each category has unique criteria in addition to the criteria noted above.
Additional Criteria When Starting a New Business
If starting a business the applicant must create a minimum of one full-time or equivalent part-time employment opportunity for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident in Nova Scotia (non-relative worker). This position(s) must:
- Be over and above any position filled by the approved applicant. For clarity, jobs created for or filled by dependents or relatives of the applicant are not
- Be relevant and directly related to the applicant’s
- Meet the prevailing wage levels
Additional Criteria When Purchasing an Existing Business
If the applicant is purchasing an existing Nova Scotia business, all the following apply:
- The Nova Scotia based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner in Nova Scotia for the previous five (5) years
- All applicants purchasing or partnering in an existing business must complete an exploratory visit to meet the current owner(s).
- Applicants must give evidence that reasonable efforts took to set up a fair market value for the
- The business should actively in operation and not in
- Applicants must offer employment on similar terms and conditions to existing staff, including maintaining existing wages and employment
Application and Assessment Process
The following section outlines the six steps required to get permanent residency. NSOI is involved in the first five steps. The last step, applying for Permanent Residency, involves the federal department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 1: Expression of Interest Criteria and Process
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
Step 3: In Person Interview and Business Performance Agreement
Step 4: Work Permit and Business Establishment in Nova Scotia
Step 5: Request for Nomination
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence
International Graduate Entrepreneur
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for individuals who are recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College after at least two years of full time study and have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year and intend to settle in Nova Scotia, Application to the stream is by invitation only.
The stream is designed for budding entrepreneurs and senior managers to explore their talent and set up themselves in Nova Scotia including living permanently and contributing to the Nova Scotia economy.
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 (100% 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 from the NSOI;
- 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 the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI).
- Be at least at the age of 21 years
There are four (4) steps an applicant must follow in this program:
Step 1 Expression of Interest
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
Step 3: In-Person Interview and Nomination
Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residence
Application and Assessment Process
There are four steps required to get permanent residency. NSOI is involved in the first three steps. The last step, applying for Permanent Residency, involves the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 1: Submit Expression of Interest
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
Step 3: In Person Interview and Nomination
Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residence
Skilled Worker Category
The Skilled Worker stream is for employers who need foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills can contribute to Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with already permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply you must:
- have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
- have 1 year of work experience related to the job. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers 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 a skilled worker. If your first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers 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.
Required Levels of Approval
Applications under the Skilled Worker stream need two levels of approval before permanent resident status can be obtained.
Level 1: Application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program Skilled Worker stream Level 2: Application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a permanent resident visa
Criteria and Requirements for the Principal Applicant
The spouse, common-law partner, and children, if applicable, can be included as accompanying dependents.
Criteria | Eligibility Requirements |
Legal status in country of residence | If you are living in Canada, you must give proof of your legal status as a temporary worker or visitor.
If you apply from outside Canada, you must provide proof that you have legal status in your country of residence. If you have lost your status, you are not eligible to apply until your status has been restored. |
Age | You are between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time the Office of Immigration receives your application. |
Full-time, permanent job offer3 | Full time, permanent job offer from an established employer in Nova Scotia, preferably for a
NOC 0, A or B occupation. The job, located in Nova Scotia, must: § have compensation in the form of salary that meets provincial employment standards and the provincial wage range., § be a position which has a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens to fill the position, and § not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements, labour agreements/standards or be in any employment disputes. The NSNP will consider selected jobs defined as NOC C based on local labour market requirements and conditions, and six (6) months of work with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application. Consideration for NOC D occupation is based on the criteria listed under the “Occupations” section above. |
Education and training | You have completed a high-school diploma and have the proper training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job.
For occupations requiring licensing or certification in Nova Scotia, contact the right provincial, national and/or industry regulatory association before applying to verify that you meet licensing or certification requirements.4 |
3. A permanent job has no pre-determined end date; it is a long-term job offer. Full-time employment means that the employee is expected to work year round and, on average, at least 30 hours a week
Criteria | Eligibility Requirements |
Language ability | NOC 0, A and B
If your first language is not English or French, your written proof or explanation must clearly show that you meet the criteria listed in the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de competence linguistic Canadians (NCLC) for at least CLB/NCLC Level 5. Your abilities are verified by one or more of the following: q Educational transcripts or other documentation indicating English or French as the principal language of instruction or communication. q Employment history and references with English or French as the principal language of communication. q Internationally recognised test results to prove a CLB/NCLC Level 5. NOC C and D Even if your first language is English or French, you must submit internationally recognized test results to prove a minimum CLB/NCL Level 4. See above section Language Standards and Mandatory Testing for more information. |
Work experience | At the time of submission, you must have work experience of 12 months within the last 5 years (1,560 hours or more), related to the position and skills for the job. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count.
The evidence of work experience or transferable skills will be verified by certified education and work experience via your résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), letters of reference from employers and supporting employment documents. |
Adaptability and intention to settle | You must show that you have a genuine intention to settle in Nova Scotia in your application form. You must give a detailed explanation of why you chose Nova Scotia to permanently settle and what you feel Nova Scotia can offer to you and your family.
Your explanation can include details such as your plans for accommodation/housing; transportation; employment/job; schools or child care; language training plans; and integration into community. Include all information you think is relevant. All responses must be in your own words. Do not copy information from other sources. |
Financial and settlement supports | SETTLEMENT SUPPORTS: You can prove that you have enough settlement supports and financial resources, including transferable funds in your name or your spouse’s name, to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses (if applicable) and to successfully set up yourself and your family in Nova Scotia.
Federal guidelines generally recommend that immigrants arrive with a minimum of $11,000, plus $2,000 for each dependent. This recommended amount is reduced in the case of a principal applicant who is already living in Nova Scotia or has arranged employment. In all cases, proof of some financial resources in your own name is required. |
Application and Assessment Process
There are seven steps of the process for Nova Scotia Immigration
- The principal applicant prepares an application
- The employer prepares an employer form
- Submit your NSNP application online or by mail
- The application is assessed by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
- Temporary work permit for provincial nominees
- If nominated, the applicant applies for a permanent resident visa
- Issuance of permanent resident visa
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream are for those people who are highly skilled and wish to live permanently in Nova Scotia and contribute to the local labor market of Nova Scotia. There are two categories of people who can apply under this stream to Nova Scotia.
Category A (for applicants with a job offer)
Category B (for applicants with experience in an opportunity occupation)
ELIGIBILITY
To apply under Category A, you must:
- have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system;
- score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
- have a full-time permanent skilled job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. For a job offer to be valid in Express Entry and receive points, employers will usually need an LMIA from ESDC. There are a few exceptions
- have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 7;
- have enough proofs for settlement funds to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
To apply under Category B, you must:
- have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system;
- score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
- have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in one of our target occupations;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 7;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
Eligibility Criteria for the Principal Applicant
There are two categories under the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream:
Category A: Arranged employment in Nova Scotia
You have a valid job offer (offer of arranged employment). For a job offer to be valid in Express Entry and receive points, employers will usually need an LMIA from ESDC.
A valid job offer must be:
- made by one employer
- for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week),
- for work that is:
- for at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued
- not seasonal, and
- in a job that is Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B of the 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC)
The job offer must meet the arranged employment requirements described in this guide.
Category B: Paid Work Experience in an Opportunity Occupation
You have at least one year of continuous full-time (or 1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in part-time paid work experience in the last 6 years in an opportunity occupation.
The following occupation list represents professions where there is a possibility of employment opportunities in Nova Scotia. The occupations are classified with National Occupational Classification 2016 (NOC). The NOC helps decide whether a job meets the skill levels established for skilled and semi-skilled occupations, and whether the candidate’s qualifications and experience match the requirements of the job.
S.NO. | Occupation Title | NOC | Skill |
1 | Financial auditors and accountants | 1111 | A |
2 | Other financial officers | 1114 | A |
3 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations | 1123 | A |
4 | Administrative assistants | 1241 | B |
5 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 1311 | B |
6 | Civil engineers | 2131 | A |
7 | Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 | A |
8 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers | 2174 | A |
9 | Computer network technicians | 2281 | B |
10 | User support technicians | 2282 | B |
11 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 3012 | A |
12 | Licensed practical nurses | 3233 | B |
13 | College and other vocational instructors | 4021 | A |
14 | Paralegal and related occupations | 4211 | B |
15 | Social and community service workers | 4212 | B |
16 | Financial sales representatives | 6235 | B |
Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility criteria in one of the two categories, next is you must get enough points under the selection factors, and meet the Minimum Settlement Funds requirement.
The minimum requirements
To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, you need to meet the following three minimum requirements:
- Valid foreign diploma, certificate or credential and its educational credential assessment (ECA) by a designated body or valid Canadian educational
- A minimum of 1 year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience (in Canada or international) in the last 6 years in NOC 2016 Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or
- Valid English or French language test results from a designated agency IELTS (General training test only); CELPIP (General test only); or TEF demonstrating CLB 7 in the 4 language abilities (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
The selection factors
You need to gain enough 67 points under the selection factor to apply for Nova Scotia: Express Entry Stream after meeting the eligibility requirements
Selection factor | Points |
Factor 1: Education | Maximum 25 points |
Factor 2: Ability in English and/or French | Maximum 28 points |
Factor 3: Work experience | Maximum 15 points |
Factor 4: Age | Maximum 12 points |
Factor 5: Arranged employment in Nova Scotia | Maximum 10 points |
Factor 6: Adaptability | Maximum 10 points |
Total | Maximum 100 points |
Pass mark: | 67 Points |
If you are ineligible within factors 1 to 4 or have a score less than 67 points you do not qualify for Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream.
Factor 1: Education (maximum of 25 points)
Factor 2: Language Ability in English and/or French (maximum of 28 points)
Factor 3: Work experience (maximum of 15 points)
Factor 4: Age (maximum of 12 points)
Factor 5: Arranged employment in Nova Scotia (maximum of 10 points)
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is for people who are skilled and wish to live in the Province of Nova Scotia permanently and have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is aligned with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry intake system.
There are two ways by which a potential candidate can apply for Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream, one is you apply directly to Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) or you can be selected from the Express Entry pool by the NSOI. In both the cases, the principal applicant will need to create an Express Entry profile within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s online Express Entry system AND give a complete application to NSOI.
Eligibility Criteria for the Principal Applicant
Applicants eligible for nomination must meet all the eligibility criteria below you will be also need to give all supporting forms and documentation to NSOI as a proof of your eligibility Minimum requirements:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 55;
- Have at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before you apply;
- Have gained your experience in Nova Scotia with the proper authorization (work permit, etc.);
- Have completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by IRCC if your educational credential was obtained outside of Canada;
- Meet the required language levels needed for your job for each speaking, reading, writing, and listening. These levels are CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A and CLB 5 for NOC B;
- Demonstrate that you will become economically established in Nova Scotia and that you intend to live in the province permanently.
Contact Us to discuss your profile and eligibility.
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