Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers a quality of life that is disappearing in much of North America. Here, hard work is tempered with an appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are tied to the sea and its gentle rhythms.
Life moves at a pace which allows you to keep everything in perspective: work, family, relaxation, and responsibility. Of course, as part of North America, have all the technology, all the communications, and all the educational institutions you would expect.
Organizations designed to help you find employment, improve language skills, or enroll in university make the transition easier. Welcoming people will make you feel that you belong, and safe communities will put your mind at ease.
Come to a place where a safe and secure environment, dependable people, and opportunities for your future give you the freedom to achieve great things.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the first step in a two-step application process for a permanent resident visa to Canada. It is used to recruit and select immigrants who intend to settle in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams are open to qualified skilled workers and other immigrants who meet community needs.
- Skilled Worker Stream
- International Graduate
- Community Identified Stream
- Family Business Worker
- Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee
- Agri-Food Sector Pilot
The Skilled Worker stream assists employers in hiring workers whose skills are in limited supply in the province. The stream helps employers recruit and/or retain foreign workers with the required skills for positions that they have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
The skilled worker must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer before applying to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Provincial priorities may change as skill shortages are met by permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
Learn more: Skilled Worker Stream
International Graduate Stream:
The International Graduate stream helps Nova Scotia employers hire and retain international graduates.
The international graduate must have a full-time, permanent job offer, preferably related to their field of study from a Nova Scotia employer and be working for that employer for at least three consecutive months before applying to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Provincial priorities may change as skill shortages are met by permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
To be eligible to apply to the International Graduate stream, the graduate must have graduated within the last three years from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Canada and have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a provincially-recognized institution in Canada. Applicants still in the study are not eligible for this stream.
Learn more: International Graduate Stream
The Community Identified stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is aimed at selecting individuals who have strong connections to a Nova Scotia community, wish to live there permanently have excellent employment prospects, and can contribute to the labour market and economy of that specific community.
The applicant must have received a Letter of Identification from an organization mandated by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration before applying to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. The list of organizations is found in Appendix 3 of the NSNP Community Identified Application Guide posted below.
The Community Identified candidate cannot be eligible for any other NSNP streams to apply to the category.
Learn more: Community Identified Stream
The Family Business Worker stream assists employers in hiring workers who are close relatives and have the work experience and required skills for positions employers may have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
The family business worker must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer who is a close relative and who owns an established business in Nova Scotia before applying to Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).
The worker or the spouse must be related to the family business owner or spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways. The worker is the business owner’s*:
- Son or daughter
- Brother or sister
- Niece or nephew (children of brothers or sisters)
- Uncle or aunt (parent’s brothers or sisters)
- Grandchild
(*or a step or half-relative of the same degree)
Learn more: Family Business Worker
Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee:
The Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee stream is aimed at selecting individuals who are the non-dependent children of immigrants who were nominated under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). The principal applicant must plan to live in Nova Scotia permanently, have strong employment prospects and be able to contribute to the labour market and economy of Nova Scotia.
The employability of the applicant will be determined based on the current labour market needs of Nova Scotia. Nominee’s non-dependent children must have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in the last five years in their field of studies and/or have the intention and ability to enter the Nova Scotia labour market.
The principal applicant can be in studies outside Canada and be eligible to apply to the Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee stream if they have already completed at least one year of post-secondary education and have received a degree, diploma or certificate issued by an accredited institution. The principal applicant is eligible to apply while pursuing an additional post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate.
The Agri-Food Sector Pilot is aimed at immigrants interested in agri-food production and/or value-added production. The pilot project allows strengthening rural communities by creating jobs and growing the economy by bringing agricultural skills to Nova Scotia. The Agri-Food Sector Pilot is a joint venture between the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.
The first step to applying to the Agri-Food Sector Pilot is for you, the applicant, to complete an Information Intake Form fillable electronically, which you can return to our office via email. The Office of Immigration in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture will examine the information provided in the form to determine if you may come for an exploratory visit.
If the Office of Immigration feels that you may be eligible to apply under the Agri-Food Sector Pilot, you will be contacted and you will need to come to Nova Scotia for a minimum of one five (5) working days exploratory visit to research farming opportunities. During this initial visit, you will meet with representatives of the Department of Agriculture who will inform and guide you in the Nova Scotia agri-food sector. You will also have an interview with a nominee officer from the Office of Immigration who will provide you with information about the application process.
Learn more: Agri-Food Sector Pilot
Source: Nova Scotia Immigration