Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the economic immigration programme for foreign entrepreneurs and workers.

Nova Scotia is a small Canadian province located in the country’s Maritime region. It comprises the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island and more than 3,000 smaller islands. The provincial capital, Halifax, is known as a major centre for culture and the arts, as well as for its high standard of living. Nova Scotians have a close connection to the sea, and the province is renowned for its coastal beauty and excellent cuisine.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the nominee programme of the province of Nova Scotia. Through this programme, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience the province is targeting can receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate.

Overview

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)of the province of Nova Scotia to meet its economic and labour market needs through immigration to the province.

The number of immigrants coming to Nova Scotia has tripled over the past 20 years thanks to the introduction and continued development of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), as well as the launch ofAtlantic Immigration Program (AIP)in 2017.

Nova Scotia currently welcomes more than 7,000 new immigrants each year.

The province has an immigrant retention rate of over 70%. This retention rate has improved thanks to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program, which seek to connect newcomers with employment opportunities. Both the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program also make it easier for international students and temporary workers to transition to permanent residence.

Nova Scotia immigration streams

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) has both enhanced streams and base streams. The following are enhanced streams:

• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream
• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream
• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream

An enhanced stream means that this sub-category is aligned with theExpress Entry.The federal government uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through Canada’s main economic immigration programmes.

Candidates in the Express Entry system are scored on the basis ofThe Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada holds regular Express Entry rounds of invitations, in which it invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence.

If a candidate receives a nomination from an enhanced provincial programme, they gain an additional 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing that they will receive anInvitation to Apply (ITA)for permanent residence. The candidate also receives the nomination through their Express Entry profile.

Most Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) immigration streams are base streams. This means they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination must apply directly toImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

For many Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) streams, candidates must meet minimum language requirements. This requirement is based on theCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB). This is a scale from 1 to 12 that measures a candidate’s language ability.

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

Is a job offer required?

• No

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must have an Express Entry profile
• The candidate must be between 21 and 55 years of age
• The candidate must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in Nova Scotia within the past three years
• The candidate must have held valid status during their time in Nova Scotia, such as a work permit
• The candidate must have a secondary school diploma or a higher qualification
• The candidate must have the language skills needed to perform their job
• NOC 0 and A – CLB 7
• NOC B – CLB 5
• The candidate must intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia.

How it works

Candidates who wish to apply to immigrate to Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream must make sure they are eligible and hold a valid Express Entry profile.

When ready, the candidate applies online on the Nova Scotia website. The candidate must provide all the information requested and upload all the required documents with the application.

After the application is submitted, if successful, the candidate receives the provincial nomination certificate by email. The nomination is also confirmed within the Express Entry system. The candidate must accept the nomination in the Express Entry system within 30 days. On doing so, the candidate is awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This all but guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry round of invitations.

Once the invitation to apply is received, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate can apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

Is a job offer required?

• No

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must have a valid Express Entry profile
• The candidate must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on their Express Entry profile
• The candidate must meet the work experience requirements of their Express Entry programme, namely:
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• The candidate must have the supporting documents needed to prove their work experience
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must meet the eligibility requirements specific to the round. Each round may carry additional requirements

How it works

The first step is to make sure the candidate is eligible for this stream. The candidate must also hold a valid Express Entry profile.

The candidate must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) in order to apply. Once this letter has been received, the candidate is ready to apply and will have 60 days to do so.

The candidate should check the round-specific supporting documents they need to upload on the Nova Scotia Nominee Program website.

If the application is successful, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate receives the nomination certificate by email. The nomination is also confirmed within the Express Entry system. The candidate then has 30 days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.

The candidate is then awarded an additional 600 CRS points and will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry round of invitations.

Once the invitation to apply is received, the candidate can apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians

Is a job offer required?

• Yes

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements:

• The candidate must have a valid Express Entry profile
• The candidate must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on their Express Entry profile
• The candidate must have a job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner, family physician or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112)
• The candidate must meet the work experience requirements of their Express Entry programme (the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class)
• The candidate must have the supporting documents needed to prove their work experience
• The candidate must commit to remaining in the province for two years by submitting a signed Return of Service Agreement to the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

How it works

First, the candidate makes sure they are eligible for this stream. The candidate must have an Express Entry profile. When ready, the candidate sends their Express Entry profile number to the NSOI.

If eligible, the candidate receives a Letter of Interest in their Express Entry account. The candidate then has 30 days to apply to the NSNP and submit all the required documents.

Once the application has been submitted, if successful, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate may receive the nomination certificate. The nomination is also added to their Express Entry profile. The candidate must accept the nomination within 30 days.

The candidate is then awarded an additional 600 CRS points and will be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry round of invitations.

Nova Scotia Skilled Worker

Is a job offer required?

• Yes

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must be between 21 and 55 years of age
• The candidate must have a permanent full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must have at least a secondary school education
• The candidate must have the education, training, licensing or certification needed to perform the duties of the job
• The candidate must have at least 12 months of relevant work experience within the past five years
• The candidate must meet the language requirement
• NOC 0, A or B – CLB 5 in English or French
• NOC C or D – CLB 4 in English or French
• The candidate must intend to settle in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia
• The employer must also meet additional requirements

How it works

The candidate makes sure they are eligible for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), then prepares the application by visiting the provincial website athere. The candidate gathers and uploads the required documents and submits the application.

If successful, the candidate receives the nomination certificate at their own email address or that of their representative. The nomination is also sent directly toImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The next step is to apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC within six months.

The candidate may also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI in order to obtain a temporary work permit. This allows the candidate to remain in Nova Scotia while IRCC processes their permanent residence application.

Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand

Is a job offer required?

• Yes

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Occupations

• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
• Food and beverage servers (NOC 6513)
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 6711)
• Light duty cleaners (NOC 6731)
• Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511)
• Heavy equipment operators, except crane (NOC 7521)
• Construction trades helpers and labourers (NOC 7611)

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must be between 21 and 55 years of age
• The candidate must have a permanent full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia in one of the occupations listed above
• The candidate must have one year of relevant work experience
• The candidate must have at least a secondary school education
• The candidate must have the appropriate training or education required for the job
• The candidate must meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 4
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

How it works

The first step is to make sure the candidate is eligible for this Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) immigration stream. Next, the candidate gathers and uploads the required documents and submits the application through the provincial website athere.

If successful, the candidate receives the nomination certificate at their own email address or that of their representative. The nomination is also sent directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The candidate can now apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC. This must be done within six months.

The candidate may also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI in order to obtain a temporary work permit. This allows the candidate to remain in Nova Scotia while IRCC processes their permanent residence application.

Nova Scotia International Graduates In Demand

Is a job offer required?

• Yes

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Occupations:

• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
• Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214)

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must have a permanent full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia in one of the occupations listed above
• The candidate must be between 21 and 55 years of age
• The candidate must have at least a secondary school education
• The candidate must have completed a course of at least 30 weeks within the past three years. At least half of the programme must have been completed in Nova Scotia
• The candidate must hold the certifications required for the job
• The candidate must meet the language requirement of CLB 5
• The candidate must have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

How it works

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate makes sure they are eligible for this immigration stream. The candidate then uploads the required documents and submits the application through the provincial website athere.

If the application is approved, the candidate receives the certificate of nomination by email, either their own or their representative’s. The candidate’s nomination is also sent directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

At this point, the candidate is able to apply for permanent residence directly to IRCC. The candidate must do so within 6 months.

The candidate may also request a Letter of Support from the NSOI in order to obtain a temporary work permit. This allows the candidate to remain in Nova Scotia while IRCC processes their permanent residence application.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur

Is a job offer required?

• No

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must be at least 21 years old
• The candidate must have business and personal assets of at least CAD 600,000
• The candidate must have accumulated their net worth through lawful means
• The candidate must have a minimum of three years’ business ownership experience (with at least one-third ownership), or more than 5 years in a senior business management role in the past 10 years
• The candidate must agree to make a minimum capital investment of CAD 150,000 in Nova Scotia to establish or purchase a business
• The candidate must meet the language requirement of CLB 5 in English or French
• The candidate must have at least a secondary school education
• The candidate must have a Business Establishment Plan
• The candidate must agree to live in Nova Scotia

How it works

First, the candidate satisfies themselves that they are eligible. Once satisfied, the candidate must submit anExpression of Interest (EOI)to Nova Scotia through this website. Candidates are scored on the basis of the answers given. The highest-scoring candidates may receive an invitation to apply.

If selected, the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Nova Scotia.

The next step is to prepare and submit the application to Nova Scotia. The candidate must submit:

• The application form
• The Business Establishment Plan
• A net worth verification report

After receiving the ITA, the candidate has 20 days to select and notify Nova Scotia of the Net Worth Verifier chosen.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidates have 90 days after receiving the ITA to submit the application form, the required documents and the Business Establishment Plan.

The candidate has 180 days after receiving the ITA to submit the net worth verification report.

If the requirements are met, the candidate is invited to attend an in-person interview. The candidate is then sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to review and sign.

Once the BPA is submitted, Nova Scotia sends the candidate an Entrepreneur Approval Letter, together with guidance on how to apply for a work permit. This document allows the candidate to live in Nova Scotia while establishing the business.

The candidate must apply for a work permit within two months of receiving the Entrepreneur Approval Letter.

After receiving the work permit, the candidate is expected to arrive in Nova Scotia within 12 months. The candidate must also meet an NSOI officer within 60 days of arriving.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidates must carry out the terms set out in the BPA and must transfer the required funds to Canada. The candidate may then request a Nova Scotia nomination by completing the Nomination Request Form. The candidate will need to provide details of the business and submit an Audit Report and a Special Purpose Report.

If successful, the candidate receives a letter confirming that the nomination has been issued. The candidate’s nomination is sent directly to IRCC. The nomination expires after 6 months.

The candidate may then apply for permanent residence directly to IRCC.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur

A detailed article on theNSNP International Student category.

Is a job offer required?

• No

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must hold a post-secondary degree or qualification obtained in Nova Scotia lasting at least 2 years
• The candidate must have lived full time in Nova Scotia throughout the programme of study
• The candidate must intend to live in Nova Scotia permanently
• The candidate must have owned and operated a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year before submitting the EOI
• The candidate must meet the language requirement of CLB 7
• The candidate must be at least 21 years old
• The candidate must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit
• The candidate must own one-third of the equity of an eligible business
• The candidate must take part in the day-to-day management of the business
• The candidate must demonstrate that they are receiving remuneration from the business in the form of a salary

How it works

First, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate satisfies themselves that they are eligible. The candidate must then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Nova Scotia through this website. Candidates are scored on the basis of the answers given. The highest-scoring candidates may receive an invitation to apply.

If selected, the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Nova Scotia.

The next step is to prepare and submit the application to Nova Scotia. The candidate must submit:

• The application form
• All supporting documents
• The Audit Report and the Special Purpose Report

Candidates may submit the application through this website. The candidate must also select one of the designated Financial Statement Audit Service Providers, who will assess the financial statements and provide the required reports.

After receiving the ITA, the candidate has 20 days to select and notify Nova Scotia of the Financial Statement Audit Service Provider chosen.

The candidate has 90 days after receiving the ITA to submit the application form, the required documents and the Audit Report and Special Purpose Report.

If the requirements are met, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate is invited to attend an in-person interview. If the officer is then satisfied, the candidate is nominated for permanent residence.

If successful, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate receives a letter confirming that the nomination has been issued. The candidate’s nomination is sent directly to IRCC.

The candidate may then apply for permanent residence directly to IRCC. The candidate must do so within 6 months.

Nova Scotia Physician

Is a job offer required?

• No

Application fee

• None

Processing time

• At least three months

Minimum requirements

• The candidate must be a general practitioner, family physician or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or 3112)
• The candidate must hold a signed approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre
• The candidate must hold the education or training required for licensure in Nova Scotia

How it works

First, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidate satisfies themselves that they are eligible for the Physician stream. The candidate then gathers and prepares the required documents.

The candidate prepares and submits the application online by creating an account on the Nova Scotia website.

If the application is approved, the candidate receives a letter from the NSOI confirming that the nomination has been issued. Evidence of the nomination is sent directly to IRCC.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) candidates may apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Candidates may be invited to an interview.

Candidates may also request a support letter from Nova Scotia in order to apply for a temporary work permit. This support letter replaces the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when the candidate applies for a work permit. It allows the candidate to work in Nova Scotia while their permanent residence application is pending.

Find out more about the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) on the Government of Nova Scotia website athere.