Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Nova Scotia is a small Canadian province located in the Maritimes region of the country.
The NSNP is Nova Scotia’s program for the nomination of eligible skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs and professionals looking to settle permanently in the province. The program has various economic immigration streams with not one, but three streams aligned with Canada’s Express Entry system.
The province is composed of the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and over 3,000 smaller islands. Its capital city, Halifax, is known as a major centre for culture and the arts, as well as for its high standard of living. Nova Scotians are closely connected to the sea, and the province is renowned for its coastal beauty and delicious cuisine.
The NSNP is Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate.
Overview of the Nova Scotia PNP
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) launched in 2003.
It launched to help address economic and labour market needs through immigration to the province.
Immigration to Nova Scotia has tripled over the last 20 years because of the introduction and continuous development of the NSNP, as well as the introduction of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017.
Nova Scotia is now welcoming over 7,000 new immigrants every year.
The province has a retention rate of over 70 per cent. The province’s retention rate has improved because the Nova Scotia PNP and the AIP are looking to match newcomers with job opportunities. Both the PNP and AIP also help make it easier for international graduates and temporary workers to transition to permanent residence.
Nova Scotia Immigration Streams:
Nova Scotia has enhanced streams and base streams. The following streams are enhanced
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
Enhanced means that the sub-category is aligned with the Express Entry system. The federal government uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through Canada’s main economic class immigration programs.
Candidates in the Express Entry system are given a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada regularly holds Express Entry draws, where they invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
If you get a nomination from an enhanced provincial program, you get an extra 600 CRS points, practically guaranteeing getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You also get your nomination through your Express Entry profile.
The majority Nova Scotia’s immigration streams are base streams. This means that they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination are required to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For many NSNP streams, you must meet the minimum language requirements. This will be according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). This is a scale between 1 and 12, that measures your language ability.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Needs job offer? No
Application Fee: None
Processing Time: At least 3 months
Minimum Requirements:
- You must have an Express Entry profile;
- You must be between 21 and 55 years old;
- You must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in Nova Scotia in the last three years;
- You must have had proper authorization during their time in Nova Scotia, such as a work permit;
- You must have a high school diploma/credential or higher;
- You must have the language skills required to carry out their jobs:
- NOC 0 and A – CLB 7
- NOC B – CLB 5
- You must intend to live in Nova Scotia permanently.
How it works:
If you wish to apply to immigrate to Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, you must first make sure that you are eligible, and make sure that you have a valid Express Entry profile.
When you are ready, apply online on this Nova Scotia webpage. You must include all required information and upload all required documents with your application.
After you submit your application, if successful, you will receive a provincial nomination certificate by email. Your nomination will also be confirmed in the Express Entry system. You must accept the nomination on the Express Entry system within 30 days. Once you do, you will be given an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This will effectively guarantee getting an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
When you receive your invitation to apply, you may apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
