Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

Through the NSNP, prospective immigrants who meet the requirements and are approved by the Nova Scotia government may receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate which permits immigration to Nova Scotia. The NSNP is administered by the Nova Scotia Immigration Office (NSOI), a department of the Nova Scotia provincial government.

The NSNP accepts applications under the following immigration streams:

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry

This stream came into effect on January 1, 2015 and is for highly-skilled individuals with a post-secondary education and qualifications that will help them successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Requirements:

– Express Entry profile with a score at least 67 out of 100 points

– at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the past five years in one of 29 skilled eligible occupations deemed in-demand. The NSOI establishes the list and the list is subject to change at any time based on the labour market needs in Nova Scotia

This stream came into effect on January 1, 2015 and is for highly-skilled individuals with a post-secondary education and qualifications that will help them successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Express Entry profile with a score at least 67 out of 100 points
  • at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the past five years in one of 29 skilled eligible occupations deemed in-demand. The NSOI establishes the list and the list is subject to change at any time based on the labour market needs in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry provides the opportunity for permanent residence for highly skilled applicants who have worked for a Nova Scotia employer for at least one year.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Be between the ages of 21 and 55;
  • Have at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before the application is made;
  • Have gained experience in Nova Scotia with the proper authorization (work permit, etc.);
  • Have completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential OR have completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority accompanied by an ECA report;
  • Meet the required language levels needed for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening). These levels are CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A and CLB 5 for NOC B;
  • Demonstrate that they will become economically established in Nova Scotia and that they intend to live in the province permanently; and
  • must also be eligible to enter the federal Express Entrypool through one of the federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class (see more information below under Federal Programs).

Applications for the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream may be made directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) or through Express Entry. In either case, the principal applicant will need to submit a complete application to the NSOI.

 

The Skilled Worker stream is for applicants who have received offers of employment from, and whose applications for permanent residency are being supported by, Nova Scotia employers. The Skilled Worker Stream has three categories: 

Skilled Workers

This category is for individuals with experience in an occupation classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) as being a level 0, A or B occupation, also known as skilled occupations.

Semi-Skilled Workers

This category applies to applicants who have job offers for occupations which are classified as NOC level C (semi-skilled occupations). Applicants for this category must have worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency. Employers must also have made an effort to recruit Canadian citizens to the position and must demonstrate that they will provide support to assist the applicant with settlement needs.

Low-Skilled Workers

This category applies to applicants who have job offers for occupations which are classified as NOC level D, unskilled occupations. Applicants in this category, and their employers, must meet the same eligibility requirements as those applying for semi-skilled occupations.

Applicant eligibility requirements applicable to all 3 streams:

  • Be between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time of application
  • Have a full time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
  • Have at completed at least a high school level of education (12 years of study) and have the education, training, and licensing/certification needed to perform the job in Canada, if applicable
  • Have at least 12 months of relevant work experience
  • Meet language requirements
    • For NOC levels 0, A or B – CLB level 5 in English or French
    • For NOC levels C or D – CLB level 4 in English or French
  • Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia

Employer eligibility requirements applicable to all 3 streams:

  • Be permanently established in Nova Scotia
  • Have operated in Nova Scotia, under current management, for at least two years
  • Issued a full time, permanent job offer to the applicant
  • The job must be located in Nova Scotia
  • The job must have salary and benefits that meet Provincial employment standards
  • The job must be in a position for which there is a shortage of qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • Job offers made to NOC level C or D occupations will be considered based on local labour market requirements and conditions
  • Demonstrate recruitment efforts to fill the position with a qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident

An international graduate from a Canadian college or university, with a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, can apply for permanent residency through the NSNP’s Skilled Worker stream.

Eligibility requirements:

  • have graduated within the last two years from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Nova Scotia;
  • have legal status in Canada on a temporary work permit
  • have a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia in his/her field of study and at an acceptable level and have been working for at least three months in this position;
  • have sufficient settlement supports; and
  • meet the minimum criteria for age and language ability requirements for the skilled worker stream.

This stream helps Nova Scotia employers hire workers that are close relatives and have specific skills that may be difficult to find amongst Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In order to be eligible, the identified worker, or their spouse, must be related to the family business owner or the spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways:

  • Son or daughter
  • Brother or sister
  • Niece or nephew (children of brothers or sisters)
  • Uncle or aunt (parent’s brothers or sisters)
  • Grandchild

They may also be a step or half relative of the same degree.

In addition, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have legal status in their country of residence
  • Have a permanent, full time job offer from a Nova Scotia business belonging to a close family member
  • Have the necessary education, training, qualifications or licensing/accreditation needed to perform the job
  • Have the appropriate work experience needed for the position
  • Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia

In addition, the family business owner, or their spouse, must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Have lived in Nova Scotia for at least two years
  • Owns at least 33.3% of the business issuing a job offer.
    • Business has been under current management for at least two years
  • Business is financially viable enough to provide the salary and other parameters outlined in the job offer
  • Not received social assistance or employment assistance within the last two years
  • Issued a full-time, permanent job offer to the close family member that meets the following requirements:
  • Has a salary, benefit, and working condition standards that meet provincial employment standards
  • Does not contravene bargaining agreements or settle any labour disputes
  • The family business owner or their spouse/common-law or conjugal partner may support an application under this category no more than once every two years. They may have to provide documentation to show that previously supported family members have settled into Nova Scotia, found employment, and have not needed social assistance.

This is a new stream which was recently announced by the NSOI. It is set to begin accepting applications on January 1, 2016. The Entrepreneur Stream is designed to attract individuals who wish to start or acquire a business and settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:

  • Have a minimum $600,000 CAD in Net Business and Personal Assets, verified by NSOI designated third party professionals.
  • Have a minimum of three years of business ownership experience including 33.33% ownership or greater than five years of experience in a senior business manager role in the last 10 years.
  • Agree to make a minimum capital investment of $150,000 CAD in Nova Scotia.
  • Have Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in either English or French in listening, speaking, writing and reading through an accredited test taken within two years prior to of the date of EOI submission.
  • Have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential verified by an ECA dated within the five years prior to the date of EOI submission.
  • Demonstrate accumulation of claimed net worth through legal means, verified by NSOI designated third party professionals.
  • Have a Business Establishment Plan and be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the plan.
  • Agree to reside in Nova Scotia.

Business Eligibility

  • The applicant must own at least one third (33.33%) of the equity of the business.
  • The applicant must provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business.
  • The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services.
  • The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.
  • The business is liable to pay income tax on taxable income earned as a result of a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia, irrespective of income or other taxes which may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity.
  • The business must have potential to create an economic benefit to Nova Scotia

Starting the Business Requirements:

  • If starting a business, the applicant must also create a minimum of one full time (or equivalent) employment opportunity for a Canadian or Permanent Resident in Nova Scotia (non-relative workers). This position(s) must:
    • Be over and above any position filled by the approved applicant. For clarity,      jobs created for or filled by family members of the applicant are not eligible.
    • Be relevant and directly related to the applicant’s business.
    • Meet the prevailing wage levels.

If Purchasing a Business

  • The business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for the previous five (5) years.
  • All applicants must complete an exploratory visit to meet the current owner(s).
  • Applicants must provide evidence that reasonable efforts were taken to establish a fair market value for the business.
  • The business must be actively in operation and not in receivership.
  • The succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership where the applicant will assume full control of the business.
  • Applicants must offer employment on similar terms and conditions to existing staff, including maintaining existing wages and employment terms.

Ineligible Businesses

  • Businesses that are conducted remotely (from another Canadian jurisdiction or from another country).
  • Property rental, investment, and leasing activities.
  • Real estate construction/development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage unless the applicant can demonstrate that their business will provide a compelling benefit to the Province.
  • Professional services or self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation.
  • Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machines.
  • Pawnbrokers.
  • Credit unions.
  • Home-based businesses; unless the applicant can demonstrate that their business will provide a compelling benefit to the Province.
  • Co-operatives.
  • Investments into a business operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income.
  • Businesses involved in the production, distribution or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services, or in the provision of sexually-oriented services.
  • Joint ventures between NSNP program applicants.
  • Any other type of business that by association could bring the NSNP or the Government of Nova Scotia into disrepute.

This is another new stream which was recently announced by the NSOI. It is set to begin accepting applications on January 1, 2016.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is open to graduates who have completed at least two years of full-time study from a recognized Nova Scotia university or Nova Scotia Community College, have operated their own business in Nova Scotia for at least one year, and intend to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

The Application process will be comparable to the process for the Entrepreneur Stream.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:

Human Capital Criteria

  • Applicants must have completed a full-time Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree of at least two years in length from a recognized university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College.
  • Applicants must have resided in Nova Scotia full-time during the academic program. (No distance learning programs or compressed academic programs will be eligible.)
  • Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages by achieving a test result demonstrating Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four language abilities; verified by an accredited test and taken within two years prior to the date of EOI submission.
  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Applicants are required to reside in Nova Scotia while they establish their eligible business.

Business and Financial Criteria:

  • Demonstrate intention to settle in Nova Scotia, and own and operate a business in Nova Scotia for at least one continuous year prior to the date of EOI submission.
  • Applicants must own 100% of the equity of the eligible business and provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business.
  • The applicant must demonstrate that they are receiving compensation in the form of salary from the business, which must, at minimum, meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada. The eligible business has to be in sound financial health. This means that it must be producing revenue and earning sufficient profits to allow the owner to become economically established in the province. Audited financial statements from an NSOI approved professional third party will be required to assess the financial health of the business.

Starting a Business

  • If starting a business the applicant must create a minimum of one full-time (or equivalent) employment opportunity for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident in Nova Scotia (non-relative worker). This position(s) must:
    • Be over and above any position filled by the approved applicant. For clarity, jobs created for or filled by family members of the applicant are not eligible.
    • Be relevant and directly related to the applicant’s business.
    • Meet the prevailing wage levels.

If Buying a Business

  • The Nova Scotia based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for the previous five (5) years.
  • Applicants must provide evidence that reasonable efforts were taken to establish a fair market value for the business.
  • The business must be in active operation and not in receivership.
  • The succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership where the applicant will assume full control of the business.
  • Applicants must offer employment on similar terms and conditions to existing staff, including maintaining existing wages and employment terms.

Eligible businesses must also include the following elements:

  • The business must be initiated or operated for the purpose of making a profit. Businesses created solely for immigration purposes are ineligible.
  • Businesses must meet the legal requirements of the community in which they operate.
  • The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services.
  • The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.
  • The business is liable to pay income tax on taxable income earned as a result of a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia, irrespective of income or other taxes which may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity.
  • You are required to reside in Nova Scotia and operate your business and be involved in its day to day management. You may not do this remotely, or from another Canadian province or territory or from another country.
  • The business must have potential to create significant economic benefit to Nova Scotia.

Ineligible Businesses: See list under Entrepreneur Stream.