One of the most distinctive and breathtaking of all Canadian regions, Nova Scotia invites immigrants to the friendly Maritime peninsula. Tucked on the Eastern edge of Canada, the Nova Scotia peninsula is broken into multiple islands, including Cape Breton Island.
Program Introduction
Job seekers and skilled professionals applying for the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) usually set their sights on Halifax, the provincial capital and epicentre of economic activity. The metropolis of Halifax has a population of over 400,000, and it is the thriving hub of Canada’s art and cultural scene. The metropolis is also home to some of the best universities and healthcare facilities across the country.
Nova Scotia appeals to foreigners and immigrants who wish to bask in the beauty of the vast coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean. The province is famous for its stunning coastline and distinctive seafood cuisines. Many foreign nationals dream of acquiring permanent residence so they can live and work in the picturesque province of Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia PNP offers various routes to immigrate to this idyllic region, of which the Express Entry system is the easiest and shortest route to Nova Scotia immigration.
Keep reading to learn more about the Nova Scotia Immigration Nominee program and the various streams it offers to attract immigrants.
What is NSNP?
Even though it ranks as the second smallest Canadian province, Nova Scotia has vast reserves of natural resources. The province beckons highly skilled foreign nationals to address the growing demands of its labour market.
Nova Scotia participates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows the provincial government to issue nominations for foreign nationals and skilled workers that meet the Nova Scotia PNP requirements.
NSNP is an abbreviation for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, an immigration program that issues nominations to highly skilled and experienced candidates, inviting them to immigrate to the province and attain permanent residence in the region. The provincial government select and recruit applicants who fulfil the Nova Scotia PNP eligibility requirements to address the economic and labour market needs of the province.
Receiving a Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Certificate offers applicants a fast and efficient route to acquire a permanent residence as it fast-tracks the immigration process.
How Does the NSNP Work?
The Nova Scotia Immigration Nominee Program (NSNP) offers eight immigration streams:
1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
3. Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream
4. Nova Scotia Physicians Stream
5. Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
6. Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
7. Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream
8. Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Stream
The NSNP allows applicants to apply through multiple streams to attract many skilled immigrants to enrich the local labour market and economy.
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry invites professionals whose skills and experience are in demand in the local job market. This stream aids skilled professionals to find high-paying employment opportunities.
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry allows applicants with one year of experience working in job that demands higher qualifications to apply for immigration. The Skilled worker Stream is for skilled foreign immigrants, and the provincial government issues invitations to applicants who meet the Nova Scotia PNP requirements.
The Entrepreneur Stream is directed at immigrants who wish to set up a business in the province, while the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for candidates who recently graduated from a university or affiliated college in Nova Scotia.
The Physicians Stream allows the Nova Scotia healthcare sector to attract skilled healthcare professionals, physicians, and specialists. The streams directed at the labour market and in-demand occupations allows Nova Scotia to address the labour shortages in its economic sectors.
Nova Scotia PNP Eligibility
Let us take a closer look at the eligibility criteria for multiple streams under the Nova Scotia PNP.
General Requirements for Nova Scotia PNP Eligibility
- It is pertinent to note that each stream under the Nova Scotia PNP program is different and comes with different eligibility requirements. The general eligibility requirements for the NSNP are as follows:
- Age group: 18-49 years
- At least one year of working experience in an occupation in-demand in Nova Scotia.
- Willing to stay in Nova Scotia and contribute to the local economy.
- Diplomas, degrees, or certificates to verify level of education.
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English or French demonstrated through a language proficiency test.
- Sufficient funds in bank accounts to support him/herself and family in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Profile registered through the IRCC’s Express Entry System
- A minimum score of 67 points in the six selection categories.
- A full-time job offer from an employer based in Nova Scotia, lasting at least one year after the issuance of a permanent residence visa.
- At least 1 year of experience relevant to the job.
- Canadian high school credentials or equivalent certifications.
- At least Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French.
- Sufficient financial resources.
- Rank in one of the designated occupations in the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry guide.
- Profile registered through the IRCC’s Express Entry System
- A minimum score of 67 points in the six selection categories.
- At least 1 year of experience in one of the designated occupations.
- Canadian high school credentials or equivalent certifications.
- At least Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French.
- Sufficient financial resources.
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
This stream attracts highly skilled professionals who wish to permanently move to Nova Scotia. Immigrants require at least one year of experience working in a highly skilled position in the province.
- At least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
- Age group: 21-55 years old.
- Canadian high school credentials or equivalent certification.
- A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French.
- Profile registered through the IRCC’s Express Entry System.
Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream
This stream allows the provincial authorities to select applicants from the federal Express Entry pool to address the demands of the labour market. Only applicants who are issued a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration can apply under this stream.
- Issuance of a Letter of Interest from the NSNP within the Express Entry System.
- Addressing the minima work experience eligibility of the Express Entry system.
- Sufficient funds to support oneself and family in Nova Scotia alongside immigration and travel expenses.
- Legal status in current country of residence.
- Compliant with eligibility requirements when issued a Letter of Interest.
Nova Scotia Physicians Stream
Designed to allow the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Center (IWK) to hire physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals to enrich the provincial healthcare sector.
This stream is only applicable to general practitioners, family physicians and specialty physicians with signed approval from the NSHA and IWK.
The approved opportunity must carry an official letterhead of the NSHA or IWK, alongside being:
- Signed and dated by the authorized individual at the NSHA or IWK.
- Signed and dated by the applicant.
- Demonstrate licensure eligibility with the Nova Scotia College or Physicians and Surgeons.
- Indicate applicant’s eligibility for credentials and privileges from the NSHA and IWK.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is directed at experienced entrepreneurs or senior management professionals who wish to live in Nova Scotia. They can either start a new business, buy an existing business, or obtain a senior managerial position. The entrepreneur can be nominated for permanent residence after running the business for a year.
- Age: 21 years or older.
- Desire to permanently live and owning a business in Nova Scotia.
- Minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD.
- Ability to invest at least $150,000 in a business in Nova Scotia.
- At least three years of experience in owning a business with at least one-third ownership or 5 years of experience in a senior management position.
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in English or French.
- Submit an online Expression of Interest.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply
- Receive an invitation
Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
Designed for recent graduates from Nova Scotia, the applicants must have already opened or acquired a local business, running for at least one year.
- Desire to permanently live and own a business in Nova Scotia.
- At least one year of experience in managing and owning Nova Scotia business with 100% ownership.
- Degree or diploma for at least 2 years of full-time education in a university or community college in Nova Scotia.
- A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French.
- Submit an online Expression of Interest.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply
- Receive an invitation.
Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream
This stream allows Nova Scotia employers to acquired talented and skilled foreign workers and recently graduated international students with in-demand skillsets.
- A full-time permanent employer offer from a Nova Scotia business.
- At least 1 year of relevant job experience.
- Age group: 21 to 55 years.
- High school diploma.
- Skills or training required for the job.
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for skilled workers and 4 for semi-skilled or low-skilled workers.
- Sufficient funds to settle in Nova Scotia.
NSNP Application
Why to consider the NSNP?
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program offers a fast-track route to acquire permanent residence in Canada. It offers multiple streams that allow applicants to carve out the lives they desire and obtain employment opportunities or set up their own business.
NSNP processing time
The NSNP processing time for eligible applicants is around two months.
Nova Scotia PNP fees
The Nova Scotia PNP fees for each stream is $550 for applicants and family members, while
$150 is charged for family members and unmarried partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants require a minimum CRS score of 67 points to apply to the Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Program.
It generally takes around 6 months for applicants to acquire permanent residence after securing immigration through any of the NSNP streams.
It most certainly is. The NSNP offers the following two Express Entry Streams:
1. Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
2. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Yes, you can apply to the following NSNP streams:
- Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
- The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
Moving to a different country is a big decision and requires an enormous amount of time and money. You may have a lot of questions and you may not know where to start, if that’s the case, feel free to reach out to an RCIC at any time for some advice and support.
