Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is indeed Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program. It is an immigration program that allows the province to select and nominate individuals who have the skills and experience needed in the local labor market. The NSNP operates in partnership with the Government of Canada’s immigration authorities, specifically Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The NSNP offers several streams through which individuals can apply for nomination:
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream: This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which manages the applications for three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of this stream and have an Express Entry profile may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia.
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream: This stream is designed for individuals who have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in an eligible occupation. Candidates must also have completed a program of study at a recognized Nova Scotia institution.
- Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream: This stream allows the province to nominate candidates with specific skills and experience that are in high demand in Nova Scotia. The province regularly issues invitations to apply to candidates who meet the identified labor market needs.
- Entrepreneur Stream: This stream is for individuals who want to start or acquire a business in Nova Scotia and actively participate in its day-to-day management.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: This stream targets international graduates from Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions who have started or acquired a business in the province and intend to settle there permanently.
Each stream has its own specific eligibility requirements, and applicants must demonstrate their intention to settle in Nova Scotia successfully. Successful applicants who receive a nomination from Nova Scotia through the NSNP can then apply to the federal government for permanent residency.
It’s important to note that immigration programs and requirements can change over time, so it’s always advisable to consult the official website of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program or seek professional advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Overview of the Nova Scotia PNP
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) was launched in 2003 with the aim of addressing economic and labor market needs through immigration to the province. Over the past 20 years, immigration to Nova Scotia has tripled, largely due to the development of the NSNP and the introduction of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017. Currently, Nova Scotia welcomes over 7,000 new immigrants annually, with a retention rate of over 70 percent.
The NSNP and AIP focus on matching newcomers with job opportunities to improve retention rates. They also facilitate the transition of international graduates and temporary workers to permanent residency.
Nova Scotia offers various immigration streams, including enhanced streams and base streams. Enhanced streams, such as the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, align with the federal Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an enhanced stream gain an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Base streams, on the other hand, are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through a base stream are required to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Language proficiency is a key requirement for many NSNP streams, evaluated based on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale.
Here is an overview of some of the key NSNP streams:
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry:
- No job offer required
- Minimum requirements include having an Express Entry profile, work experience in Nova Scotia, proper authorization, education, language skills, and intention to live in Nova Scotia permanently.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities:
- No job offer required
- Minimum requirements include having a valid Express Entry profile, receiving a Letter of Interest from NSOI, meeting work experience requirements, financial eligibility, and specific draw eligibility criteria.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians:
- Job offer required from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist physician
- Minimum requirements include having a valid Express Entry profile, receiving a Letter of Interest from NSOI, meeting work experience requirements, commitment to stay in the province for two years, financial eligibility, and proper documentation.
- Skilled Worker Stream:
- Job offer required from a Nova Scotia employer
- Minimum requirements include age, education, work experience, language proficiency, intention to settle in Nova Scotia, financial eligibility, and additional employer requirements.
- Occupation In-Demand Stream:
- Job offer required from a Nova Scotia employer in specific occupations
- Minimum requirements include age, education, work experience, language proficiency, financial eligibility, and appropriate training or education.
- International Graduates In-Demand Stream:
- Job offer required from a Nova Scotia employer in specific occupations
- Minimum requirements include education, program completion in Nova Scotia, certifications, language proficiency, financial eligibility, and age.
- Entrepreneur Stream:
- No job offer required
- Minimum requirements include age, net worth, business ownership or senior management experience, capital investment, language proficiency, education, business establishment plan, and intention to live in Nova Scotia.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream:
- No job offer required
- Minimum requirements include a Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree, full-time residency during the academic program, intention to live in Nova Scotia, previous business ownership, language proficiency, age, valid Post-Graduation Work Permit, equity ownership in the business, active participation in management, and receiving compensation from the business.
Applicants must carefully review the specific requirements and procedures for each stream before submitting their applications. Successful