Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - How It Works • Peel Out

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is one of the best pathways to immigrate to Nova Scotia, Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada organizes it as a part of the Provincial Nominee Program that encompasses eleven Canadian provinces and territories. The idea is that eligible applicants become nominees and have the opportunity to gain Canadian permanent residency.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the key information on the NSNP and its streams, as well as on different life aspects in Nova Scotia.

Why Nova Scotia?

To begin with, why is Nova Scotia (NS) a good place to live in? What should be your main considerations when planning a move to Nova Scotia? If you’re looking for answers and reassurance before your big international move, here is some helpful info.

Nova Scotia is one of the three Maritime Provinces (alongside New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). When it comes to the quality of life, the province offers some of the most advanced public health services. Education and the economy are also in a very favorable condition.

The majority of Nova Scotia residents speak English, with the exception of the Francophone southern coast. This is also where the main city of Halifax is located. It’s not difficult to get used to the breathtaking nature in NS – from mountain ridges and forestry to the beaches and waterfalls.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP): Explained From A to Z

Compared to the other Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) has more streams. Nonetheless, they are mostly organized around two factors – labor market needs and business investment possibilities. Here is the complete list of the NSNP streams:

Express Entry Streams

For all of the Express Entry Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams, candidates must meet requirements of the Express Entry Stream program. This means they are in the Express Entry pool and have a valid Job Seeker Code. Also, this is the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

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1 – Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream

The province can select candidates from the federal Express Entry Program if they meet the labor market needs in the province. Accordingly, those candidates will receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Then, they have 60 days to submit their nominee application and prove to have sufficient funds to settle in NS.

2 – Labor Market Priorities for Physicians

Secondly, Express Entry candidates who are practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians can receive an invitation to apply to the NSNP. They need to have a job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre (a major healthcare institution in Halifax).

3 – Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream

Next, individuals with a valid job offer in an in-demand occupation can be selected from the Express Entry pool. When there’s a shortage of skilled workers who have a job offer, Nova Scotia also opens the so-called “Category B” for this stream. In that case, they accept candidates who have experience in the desired occupations.

4 – Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream

Unlike the Demand Stream, Experience Stream does not necessarily require an employment offer. However, candidates need to have at least one year of continuous work experience in the province. There are also some additional requirements:

21-55 year of age
Canadian high school certificate (or equivalent)
Language proficiency (CLB level 7 for NOC 0 & A, and CLB level 5 for NOC B)

Skilled Worker Streams

As one of the primary aims of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program is to boost the economy in the province, it’s no wonder that the majority of the streams target qualified workers.

1 – Physician Stream

Major Canadian public health authorities – the NSHA and IWK – provide skilled workers with the opportunity to become nominees. The positions that are in demand are practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians. In addition, candidates need to prove that they meet the standards of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

2 – Skilled Worker Stream

If an employer can guarantee you are the best person to fill in a vacancy in Nova Scotia, you can move via the Skilled Worker Stream. Furthermore, s/he has to provide you with a full-time permanent job offer. On your part, you need to have a year of relevant work experience, be 21 to 55 years old, and prove language proficiency (CLB 5 and above).

3 – Occupations in Demand Stream

Additionally, individuals with a full-time permanent job offer in particular NOC C intermediate-skilled occupations can become nominees. As the labor market changes, these occupations are also subject to change. For example, over the last couple of years, in-demand positions were nurse aides, transport truck drivers, orderlies, etc.

Entrepreneur Streams

Finally, if you have the necessary skills and financial means, you can apply for one of the Entrepreneur NSNP Streams.

1 – Entrepreneur Stream

The requirements for the Entrepreneur Stream are the following:

3 years of experience as a business owner or 5 years as a senior manager
A minimum net worth of $CAD 600,000
Invest a minimum of $CAD 150,000 to establish a business in the province
CLB 5 in all four skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you ought to create a Business Plan. After a year of managing the business, they will evaluate your success. If it’s a positive outcome, you can become a nominee for the stream.

2 – International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Recent graduates from an authorized Nova Scotia post-secondary institution who operate a business in the province and want to permanently live there can also apply. Under this stream, you require a post-graduation work permit. Furthermore, your language skills have to meet CLB 7 or above.

Final Words On Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Immigration programs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is systematic and straightforward. All the requirements are clearly defined, and it’s easy to determine whether you fulfill them.

Prospective candidates who have the needed skills or can invest in a business have a good chance to immigrate. Follow the steps for the appropriate stream described above. Good luck with becoming an NSNP nominee!