Nova Scotia is one of the ten provinces of Canada and is known for its Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) aimed at attracting immigrants to fill labor market gaps and contribute to the local economy and communities. The NSNP, or Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program, offers prospective immigrants the opportunity to obtain a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate if they meet the province’s criteria.
Nova Scotia is renowned for its natural beauty, making it a popular choice for immigrants. The official language spoken in the region is English, ensuring that newcomers don’t face significant language barriers. Residents of the province are entitled to access the country’s healthcare benefits.
The job market in Nova Scotia primarily focuses on the technology sector, which aligns with Canada’s standing as a leading market for technological products. Candidates who meet the criteria of specific streams can be nominated for Nova Scotia immigration, with a target processing time of three months.
Streams under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians: Express Entry
- Skilled Worker
- Physician
- Occupations In Demand
- International Graduates In Demand
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
This stream is for skilled workers having at least one (1) year of work experience in Nova Scotia in an occupation comes under Skill Type “0”, or Level “A” or “B”, and also have an active Express Entry Profile.
Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities: Express Entry
In this stream, immigrants receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) letter from the provincial government within the Express Entry profile, depending upon the labor market requirements, which may vary with time.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians: Express Entry
Immigrants having an approved offer letter from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre, and an active Express Entry profile into the pool, will receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) to apply Permanent Residence in Nova Scotia. Profiles considered under this stream include:
- NOC: 31102 i.e. General practitioners and family physicians
Skilled Worker
This stream is for skilled worker and recently graduated international students, having a a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. Under this stream, it is mandatory to have at least 1 year of work experience related to the offered job.
Physician
With this stream, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre hire General Practitioners, Family Physicians, and Specialist Physicians to work in Nova Scotia. Immigrants having an approved offer letter from NSHA or IWK Health Centre, will receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) to apply Permanent Residence in Nova Scotia. Profiles considered under this stream include:
- NOC: 31102 i.e. General practitioners and family physicians
Occupation in Demand
This stream is for skilled workers having a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia in one of the following profiles:
- NOC 33102 – Nurse Aides
- NOC 65200 – Food and beverage servers
- NOC 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations
- NOC 65310 – Light duty cleaners
- NOC 73300 – Transport truck drivers
- NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 75110 – Construction trades helpers and laborers
It is mandatory for the skilled worker to have at least 1 year of relevant work experience to the offered job.
International Graduate In Demand
This stream is for international graduates, having a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in a job category stated as per labor market requirement. It is mandatory that education and experience should be relevant, and education should be earned within past 3 years from the date of submission of application. Additionally, 50% of the program should be completed in Nova Scotia.
Entrepreneur
This stream is for experience business owners or senior business managers who wish to start a new business or buy an existing business and want to live in Nova Scotia Permanently.
International Graduate Entrepreneur
This stream is for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College, who started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year.
After meeting the eligibility criteria and receiving a letter of interest, an individual can apply for Nova Scotia PNP.
Nova Scotia PNP Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Workers
General Eligibility criteria for skilled workers Nova Scotia PNP are:
- Applicant must be eighteen or eighteen plus
- One year of minimum work experience in the last ten years in the demanded occupation in Nova Scotia.
- Active Profile in Express Entry Pool
- The language Proficiency score must be CLB 7 in each module
Nova Scotia PNP Points Calculator
Mentioned below are the factors and eligibility points as per the Nova Scotia PNP Points Calculator:
AGE (Maximum 12 points)
Skilled Workers will get points on the basis of age. The point table is as follows:
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 00 |
| 18 – 35 | 12 |
| 36 | 11 |
| 37 | 10 |
| 38 | 09 |
| 39 | 08 |
| 40 | 07 |
| 41 | 06 |
| 42 | 05 |
| 43 | 04 |
| 44 | 03 |
| 45 | 02 |
| 46 | 01 |
| 47 and older | 00 |
EDUCATION (Maximum 25 points)
| Type of Degree/ Certificate | Points |
|---|---|
| Secondary school (high school diploma) | 5 |
| One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 15 |
| Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 19 |
| Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 21 |
| Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years | 22 |
| Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) | 23 |
| Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) | 25 |
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (Maximum 28 points)
First official language (Maximum 24 points)
| Primary Language | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB level 9 or more | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
Second official language (Maximum 4 points)
| Secondary Language | Points |
|---|---|
| At least CLB 5 in all of the 4 modules | 4 |
| CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities | 0 |
WORK EXPERIENCE (Maximum 15 points)
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 09 |
| 2 – 3 years | 11 |
| 4 – 5 years | 13 |
| 6 or more years | 15 |
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA (Maximum 10 points)
- Possessing an offer letter for a non-seasonal job from a Canadian employer that is good for at least a year.
- The job offer letter that was received is ongoing, full-time, and paid.
- The offered employment is one of the professions listed under Skill Types “0,” “A,” or “B.”
The skilled worker must fulfill one of the conditions listed below in addition to the prerequisites mentioned above.
ADAPTABILITY (Maximum 10 points)
| Adaptability Factors | Points (Maximum 10 Points) |
|---|---|
| Secondary Applicant’s language proficiency exam. At least CLB 4 level is required in all modules of English or French language exam. | 05 |
| Primary Applicant’s Experience in Canada. At least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in Canada on a legal permit, under NOC Level “0”, “A” or “B”. | 10 |
| Secondary Applicant’s Experience in Canada. At least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in Canada on a legal permit, under NOC Level “0”, “A” or “B”. | 05 |
| Primary Applicant’s Education in Canada. | 05 |
| At least 2 academic years of full-time study. | |
| Secondary Applicant’s Education in Canada. At least 2 academic years of full-time study. | 05 |
| Arranged employment in Canada. Supported by an LMIA (unless exempt). | 05 |
Relatives in Canada. Primary or Secondary Applicant’s relative, who is:
|
05 |
Nova Scotia PNP Processing Time
The general Nova Scotia Processing time is 6 months.
