What is the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program?

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Canadian immigration by the province of Nova Scotia. Applicants apply directly to Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia nominates accepted individuals to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration.

To qualify for any Provincial Nominee Program, you must have the skills, education, work experience, and funds needed to settle in the province or territory of your application.

Nova Scotia currently has 3 immigration streams: (a) Workers – All Skill Levels, (b) Physician, (c) Express Entry and (d) Entrepreneur streams. Nova Scotia is also a participating province in the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Who can apply for the Nova Scotia Worker Programs?

You may qualify for the Nova Scotia immigration programs for Skilled Workers, Semi-Skilled Workers, and Low-Skilled Workers if you:

• have a valid job offer
• are 21-55 years of age
• have at least a high-school diploma
• have at least 1-year work experience in the last 5 years
• are able to prove language proficiency (exams with minimum CLB 5 may be required)
• are working for the same employer for at least 6 months (only for semi-skilled or low-skilled workers)

Who can apply for the Nova Scotia Physician Program?

You may qualify for the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Program if you:

• have an approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre
• are eligible for license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
• have relevant education and medical training
• enough language ability to perform the job

Who can apply for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Programs?

You may qualify for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program for business investors if you:

• are over 21 years of age
• have a net worth of $600,000
• invest $150,000
• have 3-5 years’ relevant business/management experience
• have at least a high school diploma
• meet minimum language proficiency requirements (CLB 5)

You may qualify for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program for international graduates if you:

• are over 21 years of age
• have completed a 2-year full-time diploma/degree in Nova Scotia
• meet minimum language proficiency requirements (CLB 7)
• reside in Nova Scotia
• have a valid post-graduation work permit
• have already started a business and have been actively managing it for at least 1 year
• are receiving salary from the business
• can create at least 1 full-time job

Can family members accompany the principal applicant?

Yes, you can bring family members that you declared in your Nova Scotia PNP (NS PNP) application. These include:

• your spouse or common-law partner
• your dependent child (<22 years old)
• your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child
• a dependent child of a dependent child

What are the key considerations in submitting an application?

The requirements might look simple on paper, but often applications are rejected because the documents submitted were inaccurate, incomplete, or non-compliant. Here are some key considerations when applying for the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program:

• Are you applying under the right immigration program?
• What activities can you undertake or submissions can you make to strengthen your application?
• Will your status in Canada affect your application?