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ABOUT NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia, Canada's second-smallest province after Prince Edward Island, is situated on the southeastern coast of the country. This province encompasses Cape Breton, a sizable island to the northeast of the mainland. The name "Nova Scotia" is Latin for "New Scotland," a nod to the origins of some early settlers.

Capital: Halifax


Largest City: Halifax


Population: 1,072,545 (Source: Statistics Canada, Q2 2024)


Official Language:  English, French


Industry: Ocean Technology, Sea Food, Agri Food, Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Manufacturing, Tourism 


Tourist Attractions: Cabot Trail, Halifax Waterfront, Lunenburg, Bay of Fundy, Whale Watching, Peggy's Cove, Cape Breton Highlands, Halifax Citadel, Tidal Bore Rafting, Kejimkujik


Education: There are 372 public schools, 10 Public Universities and 14 community career colleges in Nova Scotia. There are around 80 Public Libraries that enrich lives and communities.

NOVA SCOTIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM 

The province plays host to a number of unique Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) designed to attract and retain newcomers who will be able to fill gaps in the workforce and contribute meaningfully to local economies and communities.

STREAM 1: NOVA SCOTIA LABOUR MARKET PRIORITIES

NOVA SCOTIA LABOUR MARKET PRIORITIES

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must have a valid Express Entry profile;

  • You must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on your Express Entry profile;

  • You must meet the work experience requirements for your Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class);

  • You must have the required supporting documents to demonstrate work experience;

  • You must have enough funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia;

  • You must meet the draw specific eligibility requirements. Each draw may have additional requirements.

NOVA SCOTIA LABOUR MARKET PRIORITIES FOR PHYSICIANS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must have a valid Express Entry profile;

  • You must receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) on your Express Entry profile;

  • You must have a job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner, family physician or a specialist physician (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112);

  • You must meet the work experience requirements for your Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class);

  • You must have the required supporting documents to demonstrate work experience;

  • You must commit to stay in the province for two years, by sending a signed Return for Service Agreement to the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness;

  • You must have enough funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

STREAM 2: SKILLED WORKER STREAM

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYEES

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must be between 21 and 55 years old;

  • You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;

  • You must have at least a high school education;

  • You must have the education, training, licensing or certification required to carry out your job duties;

  • You must have at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the last five years;

  • You must meet language requirements:
    1. NOC 0, A or B – CLB 5 in English or French;
    2. NOC C or D – CLB 4 in English or French;

  • You must intend to settle in Nova Scotia;

  • You must have enough funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYERS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • Be permanently established in Nova Scotia;

  • Have operated in Nova Scotia, under current management, for at least two years;

  • Issue a full time, permanent job offer to the individual applicant;
    The job must:
    1. Be located in Nova Scotia;
    2. Have salary and benefits that meet provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates;
    3. Be in a position for which there is a shortage of qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
    4. Not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements, labour agreements/standards, or be involved in any employment disputes; and,
    5. Job offers made to NOC level C or D occupations will be considered based on local labor market requirements and conditions;

  • Demonstrate recruitment efforts to fill the position with evidence that predate the applicant's current offer of employment. Evidence can be either:
    1. a current positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA);
    2. a proof that the position offered or worker is considered to be LMIA exempt; or
    3. three advertisements and related information that meet the conditions outlined.

  • Have a history of good workplace and business practices, and must be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

STREAM 3: OCCUPATION IN-DEMAND STREAM

OCCUPATIONS

  • Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413);

  • Food and beverage servers (NOC 6513);

  • Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 6711);

  • Light duty cleaners (NOC 6731);

  • Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511);

  • Heavy equipment operators, except crane (NOC 7521);

  • Construction trades helpers and laborers (NOC 7611).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must be between 21 and 55 years old;

  • You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the occupations outlined above;

  • You must have one year of relevant work experience;

  • You must have at least a high school education;

  • You must have the appropriate training or education required for the job;

  • You must meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 4;

  • You must have enough funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

STREAM 4: INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES IN-DEMAND STREAM

OCCUPATIONS

  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413);

  • Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an occupation listed above;

  • You must be between 21 and 55 years old;

  • You must have at least a high school education;

  • You must have completed a course of study that is at least 30 weeks long, in the last three years. At least half of the program must have been completed in Nova Scotia;

  • You must have the certifications required for the job;

  • You must meet the language requirement of CLB 5;

  • You must have enough funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

STREAM 5: PHYSICIAN STREAM

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • You must be a general practitioner, family physician or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or 3112);

  • You must have a signed approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre;

  • Must have the education or training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

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