Nova Scotia is one of the 4 Atlantic provinces in Canada with a population of 969,383 people as of 2021. The province as most provinces has industries in focus such as:
- Accommodations and food services
- Profesional, scientific and technical services
- Healthcare and social assistance
Over the years the province has relied on immigration to fill its labour market needs. At this time one can obtain permanent residency in Nova Scotia through the following streams:
Through Express entry
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream
To apply for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream, you must first create an Express Entry profile in IRCC’s online Express Entry system and obtain an Express Entry profile number. This number is essential for applying to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream and will be used throughout the application process. In your Express Entry profile, indicate your interest in moving to Nova Scotia. Once nominated for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream, you will need to apply for permanent resident status with the federal Government of Canada.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream for physicians
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream for physicians selects doctors to apply for nomination through the federal Express Entry system. To be eligible, candidates need an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre and must receive a Letter of Interest from Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI).
General practitioners, family physicians (NOC 31102), and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) will get a Letter of Interest once LSI has their Express Entry profile number and a signed job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream
The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream targets highly skilled individuals who want to live permanently in Nova Scotia. To qualify, applicants need at least one year of work experience in the province in a TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation according to the National Occupational Classification.
Without express entry -Directly with the province of Nova Scotia
The Physician Stream
The Physician Stream is for general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) with approved job offers from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre.
The job offer must:
- Be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead
- Be signed and dated by an authorized NSHA or IWK representative
- Be signed and dated by the applicant
- Confirm eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
- Confirm eligibility to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and the IWK
The Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. Applicants must have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD and be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD in a new or existing business in the province. They need at least three years of experience owning and managing a business (with at least a ⅓ ownership share) or five years in a senior management role. Additionally, they must score at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English or French. After managing the business for a year, they may be nominated for permanent residency. Applications are by invitation only.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is tailored for recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College who have initiated or acquired a business in Nova Scotia and have run it for at least one year. This stream offers graduates the chance to be nominated for permanent resident status if they plan to settle in Nova Scotia. Have at least one year of continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business, with a minimum ownership of 33.33%.
Have completed a degree or diploma after at least two academic years of full-time, in-person study at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College. Hold a valid post-graduation work permit. Achieve a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French. Submit an online Expression of Interest. Receive an Invitation to Apply from Labour, Skills and Immigration.
The International Graduates in Demand stream
The International Graduates in Demand stream is tailored for recent international graduates whose skills and education align with specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) job categories, including paramedical occupations, pharmacy technicians, nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates, and early childhood educators and assistants. To be eligible, applicants must have a full-time permanent job offer in their field of study from a Nova Scotia employer, be aged 19 to 55, hold a high school diploma, and have completed a relevant program at an eligible Nova Scotia institution within the past three years. Additional requirements include possessing the necessary certifications from Nova Scotia regulatory bodies, demonstrating language proficiency at CLB Level 5, and showing sufficient financial resources to settle in the province.
The Skilled Worker Stream
Despite its name, the stream is not limited to skilled workers; it also accepts applicants with low-skilled job offers, although priority is given to skilled workers. This stream is designed for individuals with a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. The job must be one that cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, usually demonstrated through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), though certain exceptions may apply.
Occupations in demand
The Occupations in Demand stream focuses on specific TEER category 3, 4, or 5 occupations of the National Occupational Classification that are in high demand in Nova Scotia. To qualify, applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the following occupations:
- NOC 33102: Nurse Aides
- NOC 65310: Light Duty Cleaners
- NOC 73300: Transport Truck Drivers
- NOC 73400: Heavy Equipment Operators
- NOC 75110: Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
Additionally, candidates must have one year of work experience related to the job and meet other eligibility requirements.
The Critical Construction Worker Pilot
The Critical Construction Worker Pilot –Job Offer Pathway is exclusively for individuals with a permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the construction sector. The job offer must be in one of the approved NOC categories listed below:
- 70010 – Construction Managers
- 70011 – Home Building and Renovation Managers
- 72011 – Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations
- 72014 – Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers, and Servicers
- 72020 – Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
- 72102 – Sheet Metal Workers
- 72106 – Welders and Related Machine Operators
- 72200 – Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
- 72201 – Industrial Electricians
- 72310 – Carpenters
- 72320 – Bricklayers
- 72401 – Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
- 72402 – Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Mechanics
- 72500 – Crane Operators
- 73100 – Concrete Finishers
- 73102 – Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers, and Lathers
- 73110 – Roofers and Shinglers
- 73200 – Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers
- 73400 – Heavy Equipment Operators
- 75101 – Material Handlers
- 75110 – Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
- 75119 – Other Trades Helpers and Labourers
The Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) offers a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who wish to settle in Nova Scotia and other Atlantic provinces. This program is designed to attract skilled workers and international graduates to address labor shortages and support economic growth in the region.
The program is employer driven meaning applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces, including Nova Scotia. The job offer must be for a full-time, non-seasonal position. To view the list click here:
https://novascotiaimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/Designated_AIP_employers.pdf
Candidates can be eligible as skilled workers or International graduates.
Skilled Workers:
Must have a job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
International Graduates:
Must have a degree, diploma, or other credential from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province and have lived in the province for at least 16 months in the two years before graduation.
To ensure candidates adequately settle in the province and benefit from what the province has to offer, a settlement plan is required from a settlement service provider organization.
Lastly, candidates must be endorsed by the employer to receive a Certificate of Endorsement from the province, which is required to apply for permanent residency.
Application Process
Benefits of the Atlantic Immigration Program
- Fast-Track Processing: Applications are processed more quickly compared to other immigration streams.
- Supportive Integration: Comprehensive settlement support services are provided to help new immigrants integrate successfully into the community.
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an excellent opportunity for skilled workers and international graduates to obtain permanent residency and build a future in Nova Scotia.
If you want to find out more about how apply for Nova Scotia permanent residency please contact us:
