Immigrate to NOVA SCOTIA

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream selects candidates from the Express Entry pool according to their work history.  If you have work experience in occupations that are needed in Nova Scotia, and have indicated an interest in residing in Nova Scotia within your Express Entry profile, you may receive a letter of interest in your Express Entry account. If you receive such a letter, you then need to apply for Provincial Nomination within 30 days, and demonstrate settlement funds according to your family size.  There is no specific occupation list published for this category.  Invitations are issued to categories of occupations as determined by the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.

There are 2 streams available for physicians interested in immigrating to Nova Scotia.

1. Physician Stream

The Nova Scotia Physician Stream assists the public health authorities in Nova Scotia to hire physicians to work in Nova Scotia.  The stream is open to General Practitioners and Family Physicians (NOC 31102) and Specialist Physicians (NOC 31100) who have a signed job offer from one of the public health authorities.  You require a signed job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre and must be eligible for licensing through the NS College of Physicians and Surgeons.

2. Labour Market Priorities For Physicians

The Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream allows Physicians with a profile in the federal Express Entry pool to apply for an NS nomination. Only candidates with an approved offer from NS health authorities and who receive a Letter of Interest from the NS Office of Immigration may apply. (Applicants not in the Express Entry pool may apply in the Physician stream). 

Applicant criteria:

• have a valid profile in the federal Express Entry pool 
• have an approved opportunity from the one of the health authorities as a general practitioner and family physician (NOC31102) or a specialist physician (NOC 31100)
• provide a copy of a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness indicating commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years
• demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia 

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program is for experienced business owners or senior managers who want to operate a business in Nova Scotia.  Applicants must start a new business or purchase an existing business, and need to actively participate in the day to day management of the business for at least one year in order to be nominated for Permanent Residence.  Application is by invitation only, based on the Expression of Interest points grid for this stream.

Applicant criteria:

• you are 21 years of age or older
• you are willing to live permanently in Nova Scotia
• you have a minimum net worth of at least CAD $600,000, acquired legally
• you are able to invest at least CAD $150,000 to establish the business
• you can demonstrate at least 3 years experience actively managing and owing a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years experience as a senior manager
• you scored a min CLB 5 on a valid language test
• you hold an education credential that is equivalent to a Canadian High School Diploma
• you receive an invitation to apply from Nova Scotia Nominee Program, based on the Expression of Interest Points Grid

Business criteria:

• you own at least 1/3 of the business
• you actively participate in the daily management of the business, from the place of business in Nova Scotia
• your business generates a profit and has the potential to create significant economic benefit to Nova Scotia

Additional Criteria when Starting a New Business:

• business must create a min of one full-time (or equivalent part-time) opportunity for a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Residence in Nova Scotia (worker cannot be related to business owner)

Additional Criteria when Purchasing an Existing Business:

• the business to be purchased must have been in operation for the past 5 years, by the same owner
• applicant must complete an exploratory visit prior to purchasing business
• business must be purchased at fair market value and not be in receivership
• applicant must offer employment to existing staff on similar terms

The Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is for international students who have recently graduated from a University or College in Nova Scotia and who have started or purchased a business in Nova Scotia.  Application is by invitation only, based on the Expression of Interest points grid for this stream.

Applicant criteria:

• you have at least one year experience actively managing and owning a current Nova Scotia business (33.33% ownership)
• you completed a degree or diploma in Nova Scotia that required at least 2 years full time study
• you hold a valid post-graduation work permit
• you scored a min CLB 7 on a valid language test 
• you receive a salary from the business that meets LICO

Business criteria:

• business must be for-profit and have the potential to create significant economic benefit to Nova Scotia
• business must demonstrate sound financial health
• cannot be listed as an ineligible business

Additional Criteria when Starting a New Business

• business must create a minimum of one full-time or (equivalent part-time) opportunity for a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Residence in Nova Scotia (worker cannot be related to business owner)

Additional Criteria when Purchasing an Existing Business

• the business to be purchased must have been in operation for the past 5 years, by the same owner
• applicant must offer employment to existing staff on similar terms

The International Graduates in Demand stream is for recent international graduates whose skills and education match specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) job categories. This stream is currently open to workers in 2 NOC job categories:

NOC 33102: nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates

NOC 42202: early childhood educators and assistants

Applicant criteria:

• you are 21 – 55 years old
• you have a high school diploma
• you have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in a job category listed above that corresponds with your recent field of study
• you have met requirements for completing a course of study within three years of your application. The program must have been at least 30 weeks in length. You must have completed at least 50% of the program in Nova Scotia.

               - If you are applying under NOC 33102, your program must grant a certificate, diploma, or degree.

               - If you are applying under NOC 42202, your program must grant a diploma or a degree.

• you have certifications issued by NS regulatory bodies required for the job
• you have CLB Level 5 even if your first language is English or French
• you have enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream enables qualified workers and recent graduates with a permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia to be nominated.  Workers in NOC 0, A, B, C or D are eligible to apply; however post- grad work permit holders cannot apply in NOC D.

Applicant criteria:

• you are between the ages of 21-55 
• you have a full-time, permanent job offer in Nova Scotia.  If the job offer is NOC TEER 4 or 5, you must also have worked in the position for 6 months at the time of application, with the same employer making the job offer.
• you have at least 12 months paid work experience within the past 5 years, related to the position you have been offered
• you have completed a min equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma and any accreditation required for your job
• you scored a min CLB 5 on a valid language test for NOC 0, A and B positions if your first language is not French or English; a min of CLB 4 for NOC C and D positions
• you can show financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia

Business criteria:

• must be operating in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years and in good standing with provincial and federal authorities
• must obtain a Foreign Worker Employer Registration Certificate from Labour Standards
• must advertise for the position before making a job offer to the foreign national, or obtain an LMIA; unless worker is LMIA exempt or already working for the employer
• must provide settlement support to the worker

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is for individuals with a valid Express Entry profile and previous work experience in Nova Scotia

Applicant criteria:

• you have a min 1 year work experience in Nova Scotia in the past 3 years, in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation
• Note: As at May 2022, NOC 62020 – food service supervisors are not eligible to apply through this stream (Candidates using NOC 62020 can apply through the Skilled Worker Stream)
• you have a valid profile in the Express Entry System
• you are between 21 to 55 years old
• you have an education equivalent to Canadian High School diploma
• you scored a min CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A positions, CLB 5 for NOC B positions on a valid language test

This stream targets specific semi-skilled occupations in NOC C which are in high demand in Nova Scotia.  Eligible occupations are identified from time to time by the Office of Immigration based on labour market information and are subject to change.  

Applicant criteria:

• you have a full-time permanent job offer from a NS employer in an occupation on the in-demand list 
• you have 1 year of work experience related to the job
• you are 21 to 55 years old
• you have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent
• you have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job
• you scored CLB 4 on a valid language test
• you can show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

Employer criteria:

• must meet mandatory advertising/recruitment efforts unless the applicant has a valid LMIA or the position or applicant is LMIA exempt
• must not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements, labour agreements/standards or be involved in any employment disputes