Immigrating to Nova Scotia

Have you considered Nova Scotia? Beautiful Nova Scotia is a province on the Atlantic side of Canada and welcomes immigrants. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) stream is the way that skilled immigrants may enter the province and eventually live there. Only applicants who receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration may apply, as labour market needs are always considered. As a certified immigration consultant, we want to help you learn more about Nova Scotia and settling in this province.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Stream

This is the Provincial Nominee Program that is unique to this province. It takes into consideration the occupations that may be in demand or are a need in Nova Scotia. In many cases, there are not enough permanent residents or citizens to fill these job openings.

Physicians Stream

The purpose of this path is to find general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians to work in Nova Scotia. It helps the NSHA and IWK to recruit and retain physicians that have not been able to be hired from among the present Nova Scotia permanent residents or citizens.

These jobs are opportunities with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre. They must be presented as an opportunity that has approval. It must be on an official letterhead of these agencies. Signatures are needed for the applicant and person authorized to hire. There are other eligibility requirements as well. There is also a demand for registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012).

What Occupations Are In Demand?

This is a category for occupations that are needed in Nova Scotia; it changes as the labour market demand has changes. You must have a job offer for a full-time job to apply.

These are some of the occupations in demand and their NOC codes:

• 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

You must be between 21 and 55 years old and have the appropriate training or skills for the job. You must also have a high school diploma and have language ability that is equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 even if your first language is English or French. An important consideration is that you have the financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia successfully.

Express Entry / Nova Scotia Experience

This program is now focusing mainly on those who have graduated from schools in Nova Scotia. With abundant applications, the government found that those who have studied within the province are more likely to remain in Nova Scotia.

There have been some recent changes, however. One of these changes is a pause to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry (NSEEE) stream to NOC 6311 – food service supervisors. They can still apply through the Skilled Worker stream.

Applicants for the Express Entry Nova Scotia Experience Program must have at least one year of work experience and must be between 21 and 55 years old. They must have the following:

• Canadian high school credential or equivalent
• Language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). You need CLB 7 for skilled work in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 and A. You need CLB 5 for NOC B positions
• A profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system

Can Entrepreneurs Move to Nova Scotia?

Application is by invitation only. The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers. You must want to live in Nova Scotia permanently while owning and managing a business in the province. After operation of the business for a year, you may be nominated for permanent residency.

Eligibility requirements

The following are the requirements for entrepreneurs:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Want to remain in Nova Scotia while operating the business
• Have net worth of at least $600,000 CAD
• Able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money
• 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

Ukrainians Moving To Nova Scotia

The government has support programs in place for Ukrainians who are arriving. They are trying to speed up the immigration process for these newcomers. Together with the YMCA of Halifax, there is information available on finding jobs, housing, accessing healthcare, language classes and enrollment of children in schools.

More About Nova Scotia

This family-friendly province is surrounded by natural beauty which includes rolling seas, green lush forests, farmland and peaceful lakes. With more than 7,400 kilometres of coastline, access to the sea is never far away, and spectacular scenery is often accessible. The low cost of living in Nova Scotia makes it a choice for many. The slower pace of life allows families to spend time together, enjoying the outdoors and safety of their neighborhoods.

The cost of living in Nova Scotia is one of the lowest in Canada. In fact, in the summer of 2020, the average value of a home in Nova Scotia was $286,227, compared to $538,831 for all of Canada.

If you want to learn more about the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) or other Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada, we can help.

Learn About Immigration Opportunities

Our trained staff knows these programs as well as others, such as Express Entry, family immigration to Canada and more. We can help with permanent residency as well a citizenship. Contact us to learn more.