Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) targets prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience to boost the province’s economy and tackle demographic challenges.
Candidates who meet the criteria of one of eight different streams can be nominated for Nova Scotia immigration, with a target processing time of three months.
The eight streams are:
Nova Scotia also operates ‘Study and Stay’, a program specifically aimed at helping international students from China, India, and the Philippines stay and build careers in the region after they graduate.
High-skilled immigrants with experience in Nova Scotia qualify under the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. As a core requirement, candidates require one year of experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) O, A or B position.
The Labour Market Priorities stream is designed to allow the province to single out specific occupations for immigration.
The stream targets occupations for Letters of Interest, with Early Childhood Educators the first focus job.
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians stream allows the province to select candidates who are qualified doctors from the federal Express Entry pool.
The stream specifically targets two National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
The employer-driven Skilled Worker stream is aimed at foreign workers and international graduates. Employers who have been unable to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents can access the stream after receiving a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Nova Scotia’s Occupations in Demand Pilot targets intermediate-skilled jobs in high demand in the province.
The pilot initially targeted nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413) and transport truck drivers (NOC 7511).
The target occupations are subject to change depending on labour market demand. It specifically targets jobs under National Occupational Classification (NOC) C.
The Nova Scotia Physician Stream assists the province’s public health system to hire general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians. It is designed to help recruit and retain doctors for positions the province has been unable to fill with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream targets candidates with business ownership or senior management experience. They must live in Nova Scotia, either start a new business or buy an existing business, and actively participate in the day-to-day management of that business.
Under the Entrepreneur stream, candidates are first issued a temporary work permit before applying for permanent residence after operating the business for a year. The stream uses an Expression of Interest format, where candidates in a pool are invited to apply.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is similar to the Entrepreneur stream, only aimed at recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. They must have started or purchased a Nova Scotia business and operated it for a year on a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Candidates are nominated for permanent residence if they intend to settle in the province. The stream works on an Expression of Interest format similar to the Entrepreneur stream.