Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of eastern Canada's Maritime Provinces on the Atlantic. Consisting of a peninsula and offshore islands, it's home to puffins and seals, and popular for water sports like kayaking. Nova Scotia offers a quality which allow its residents to keep everything in perspective.
Candidate can apply for Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) stream, through the NSNP, prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate. Receiving a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate speeds up the overall immigration process.
Through the NSNP, prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate. Below are different streams under which one can apply:
- Skilled Worker
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
The application process depends on the stream which applicant qualify for. The processing time for eligible applications can be three (3) months or more.
Within six (6) months of receiving nominee certificate, one can apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent resident visa. All dependents must meet all requirements for medical, security and criminal admissibility. In some cases candidates are called for an interview. CIC has the final authority to issue a permanent resident visa.
1. Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker stream helps employers recruit foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
Eligibility: A candidate must
- have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
- Have 1 year of work experience related to the job. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must already have six months’ experience with the employer.);
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have a high school diploma;
- have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
- Prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 for skilled worker.
- Show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
2. Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream selects highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently. Applicants must have a good chance of quickly finding a job in Nova Scotia’s labor market. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration reserves the right to consider only certain types of occupations for nomination, depending on current labour market needs.
Applications are accepted online under two categories:
- Category A (for applicants with a job offer) : To apply under Category A, below requirements must be met :
- have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system;
- score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
- have a full-time permanent skilled job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
- have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English /French at Canadian Language Benchmark 7;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
- Category B (for applicants with experience in an opportunity occupation): To apply under Category B, candidate must :
- have a profile registered in IRCC Express Entry system
- score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
- have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in one of the target occupations;
- have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
- prove language ability in English/ French at Canadian Language Benchmark 7
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
3. Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.
Eligibility: A Candidate must:
- be 21 years of age or older;
- want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
- have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD;
- be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia;
- have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role;
- have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
- complete an online Expression of Interest ;
- Receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.