Immigration to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a small province in Canada and one of the Atlantic provinces of the country. The capital of this province is Halifax, which serves as the main hub for culture and arts, and it also boasts a high standard of living. Immigration to Nova Scotia saw good growth in 2021, with the province welcoming 9,020 newcomers that year, marking a new record and a 19% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

The people of Nova Scotia have a close connection to the sea, and the province is famous for its coastal beauty and delicious food. Nova Scotia attracts a significant number of immigrants, as it’s home to many organizations, companies, and financial service agencies.

In this article, we’ll look at Nova Scotia’s immigration programs and review the requirements for each one. So stay tuned!

Let’s see what the provincial programs in Nova Scotia are. This province offers you 9 different programs:

1. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: Express Entry

2. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

3. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities For Physicians: Express Entry

4. Skilled Worker

5. Physician

6. Occupations In Demand

7. International Graduates In Demand

8. Entrepreneur

9. International Graduate Entrepreneur

Nova Scotia also accepts immigrants through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which is a joint federal and provincial program. In addition, the province runs the “Study and Stay” program, specifically designed to help international students stay and create businesses in the area after graduation.

Note: Previously, the province ran the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry program, but it was permanently closed as of January 4, 2021.

1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

Skilled and experienced immigrants in Nova Scotia are eligible for this program. The prerequisite for this program is that you must have at least one year of experience in the National Occupational Classification of Canada, or NOC, with TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Let’s see if you’re eligible for the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry category. You need to:

Have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.

Be between 21 to 55 years old.

Be a graduate of a Canadian high school or equivalent.

Have English or French language skills: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for skilled worker jobs in NOC TEER 0 and 1, and CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 and 3 jobs.

Submit a federal Express Entry profile to the Canadian government.

2. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: Express Entry

If you have an Express Entry profile and can meet Nova Scotia’s labor market needs, then this program is perfect for you. The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities program selects candidates from the federal Express Entry system who meet the provincial labor market demands for nomination applications.

Remember, only candidates who receive a letter of interest from Nova Scotia’s immigration office can apply.

As an applicant for this program, you must:

Receive a letter of interest from the Nova Scotia immigration program within the Express Entry system.

Submit your application within 30 days.

Have a valid Express Entry number and meet all IRCC criteria for Express Entry.

Have enough budget to cover your and your family’s expenses in Nova Scotia.

Meet the required criteria at the time the letter of interest is issued.

NOC 31102: Family Physicians

NOC 31100: Clinical and Laboratory Medical Specialists

Now let’s look into the conditions of this stream. You must:

Have an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a family physician (NOC 31102) or a specialist physician (NOC 31100).

Commit to living and working in Nova Scotia for at least two years.

Receive a letter of interest from the NSNP through Express Entry.

Submit your application within 30 days of receiving the letter of interest.

Meet the minimum work experience requirements for the Express Entry-related program you qualify for.

Have enough funds for your immigration and your family’s living expenses in Nova Scotia.

3. Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities for Physicians: Express Entry

If you’re a doctor who has applied through the federal Express Entry, this is an ideal program for immigrating to the province of Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities program for physicians allows the province to select qualified doctors from the federal Express Entry stream.

This program specifically targets two National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

NOC 31102: Family Physicians

NOC 31100: Medical Specialists

Now, let’s look at the requirements of this stream. You need to:

Have a valid job offer from the Nova Scotia Department of Health or IWK Health Centre as a Family Physician (NOC 31102) or Medical Specialist (NOC 31100).

Commit to living and working in Nova Scotia for at least two years.

Obtain a Letter of Interest from NSNP through Express Entry.

Submit your application within 30 days of receiving the Letter of Interest.

Meet the minimum work experience requirements for the Express Entry program you qualify for.

Have sufficient funds for your and your family’s immigration to Nova Scotia.

4. Skilled Worker

The purpose of the Skilled Worker program is to attract foreign workers and international graduates. Employers who have been unable to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents can access this program after receiving a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

As an applicant for this program, you must:

Have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.

Have at least one year of relevant work experience in the job (semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have six months of work experience with the employer providing the job offer).

Be between 21 and 55 years old.

Have at least a high school diploma.

Have training relevant to your job offer.

Demonstrate language ability in English or French equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for skilled workers, CLB level 4 for semi-skilled and low-skilled workers.

Have the financial means to cover immigration expenses.

5. Physician Program

Are you a doctor? Then this program is perfect for you. The Nova Scotia Physicians Program helps the province’s public health system hire general practitioners, family doctors, and specialists.

Let’s see what requirements you need to meet:

Legal status in the country of residence

If you live in Canada, you must provide proof of your legal status as a temporary worker or visitor.

If you are applying from outside Canada, you need to provide documentation showing that you have legal status in your country of residence.

Obtain written confirmation from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK):

General Practitioner and Family Doctor (NOC 31102)

Specialist Doctor (NOC 31100)

This confirmation must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and include the following conditions:

It should be signed and dated by someone authorized to hire physicians at NSHA or IWK.

It must be signed by you.

It should indicate that you qualify to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and IWK.

Education: You must have a copy of your educational credential assessment or the qualifications and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

6. In-demand occupations

The Nova Scotia In-Demand Occupations Pilot Program covers high-demand, medium-skilled jobs in the province. Target occupations may vary based on labor market demand but generally include NOC TEER 4 positions.

The conditions you need to meet for this program are:

A full-time job offer from an employer based in Nova Scotia in occupations such as:

NOC 33102 (Nurse Aides).

NOC 65200 (Food and Beverage Servers).

NOC 65201 (Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations).

NOC 73300 (Transport Truck Drivers).

NOC 73400 (Heavy Equipment Operators (except Crane Operators)).

NOC 75110 (Construction Labourers).

One year of relevant work experience.

You must be between 21 and 55 years old.

You should have a high school diploma.

You need to have the necessary training and skills for this job.

Language skills equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.

You must be financially capable of living in this province.

7. International Graduates

The International Graduates program caters to individuals who have chosen to study in Nova Scotia. These graduates must have a job offer in one of two NOC categories:

NOC 33102: Nursing assistants, caregivers, and healthcare support staff. (Nurse Aide)

NOC 42202: Early childhood educators and assistants.

Let’s look at the requirements for these categories. In this category, you must:

Have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in NOC 33102 or 42202 that matches your recent field of study.

Be between 21 and 55 years old.

Hold a high school diploma.

Complete a course of study in Nova Scotia for at least 30 weeks within three years of your application.

Candidates under NOC 33102: Must receive a certificate or diploma at the end of the program.

Candidates under NOC 42202: Must receive a diploma or degree at the end of the program.

Certification from NS regulatory bodies is required for employment in this category.

Have language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English or French.

Have the financial ability to cover your living expenses in Nova Scotia.

8. Entrepreneur Program

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur program is for those who own a business or have senior management experience. You need to live in Nova Scotia and either start a new business or buy an existing one and take over its ongoing management.

Under the Entrepreneur program, you initially receive a temporary work visa, and after operating your business for a year, you can then apply for permanent residency. This program uses an Expression of Interest format, where candidates from a pool are invited to apply.

What steps must you take for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur program?

Expression of Interest

Invitation to apply

In-person interview and business performance agreement

Work permit and establishing business in Nova Scotia

Nomination application

Apply for permanent residency

What are the requirements for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur program?

Be 21 years or older.

Intend to reside permanently in Nova Scotia while being an active owner and manager of a business in Nova Scotia.

You must have a minimum net worth of CAD 600,000.

You need to have at least CAD 150,000 to invest in starting or buying a business in Nova Scotia.

You should have a minimum of 3 years of active management experience and ownership of a business (at least 33% ownership) or over 5 years of experience in a senior management role.

You must have a minimum CLB 5 language score.

Complete the online expression of interest form.

9. International Graduate Entrepreneurs

The International Graduate Entrepreneur program is similar to the Entrepreneur program, but it only applies to students who have recently graduated from a university or community college in Nova Scotia. They must establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia and operate it for one year with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Note 1: Applications for this program are only accepted through an invitation.

Note 2: Applicants are eligible for permanent residency only if they intend to remain in the province.

What are the steps to apply for this category?

Expression of interest

Receiving an invitation to submit an application

In-person interview and nomination

Applying for permanent residency

As an applicant in this category, what requirements must you meet?

You must intend to stay permanently in Nova Scotia while actively owning and managing a business there.

You should have at least one year of continuous experience in active management and ownership of your current Nova Scotia business (with a minimum of 33.33% ownership).

You need to have completed a degree or diploma that included at least 2 years of full-time, in-person study at a university or college in Nova Scotia.

You must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

You should have a minimum score of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program was introduced in 2017 as a pilot program to encourage immigrants to settle in one of the four Atlantic provinces. This program was very successful and became permanent in January 2022. It encourages Atlantic Canadian employers to apply to be recognized as Officially Designated businesses, meaning that if they hire a foreign citizen, they can bypass the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

In 2021, 1,564 people received permanent residency as immigrants using the Atlantic Immigration Program and settled in Nova Scotia.

Immigrating to Nova Scotia through work

Immigrating to Nova Scotia through work offers many advantages, including:

No need for a high language score

No requirement for extensive work experience

No points-based system

Possibility of immigrating with semi-skilled or unskilled work

Lower costs compared to other provincial programs

Overview of Nova Scotia’s Nominee Program (NSNP)

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) was launched in 2003, and since then, immigration to Nova Scotia has tripled over the past 20 years due to the ongoing introduction and development of the NSNP and the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017.

Studying in Prince Edward Island

Is the Nova Scotia provincial immigration program open to immigrants in 2022?

Yes. Nova Scotia has announced new immigration targets for 2022. The province welcomed over 9,000 newcomers in 2021. Nova Scotia has confirmed its allocations for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP2) for 2022.

How long does it take to get PR in Nova Scotia?

Processing times for applications may be 3 months or longer. Apply for your permanent residency visa through IRCC within 6 months of receiving your nomination.

How many points are needed for the Nova Scotia Express Entry aligned with Express Entry?

You must score at least 67 points out of 100 on a points table. Education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether you have a job offer from an employer established in Nova Scotia or not are the criteria for scoring.

Studying in Nova Scotia

As an international student, studying in Nova Scotia offers you the chance to experience life in a beautiful province while enjoying top-notch universities and affordable living costs. This makes immigrating to Nova Scotia a great option for international students.

Benefits of immigrating to Nova Scotia

Having multiple and diverse immigration programs

Affordable living costs

Efficiency of federal programs

Beautiful and attractive nature

Relatively high demand for labor

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for an application to be processed at the Nova Scotia immigration office?

The typical processing time for a completed application is about 3 months or more on average.

What is Nova Scotia's Skilled Worker program?

The Skilled Worker program helps employers attract foreign workers and newly graduated international students with the skills needed in Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with Canadian citizens.

Is it hard to find a job in Nova Scotia?

As Nova Scotia’s economy grows, more opportunities arise for skilled immigrants. However, the job market remains competitive, so it’s in your best interest to plan for your job search.

Is Nova Scotia a good place to immigrate to?

Nova Scotia is surrounded by the ocean, lush forests, lakes, and farmland. All of this, along with growing cities and low living costs, makes Nova Scotia one of the most enjoyable places to live in Canada.

What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?

$15.20 per hour

The province of Nova Scotia has kept its promise and raised the minimum wage from $13.35 to $15.20 in 2024.

How can I immigrate to Nova Scotia without a job offer?

Only the Nova Scotia Demand Express Entry allows you to apply for the Nova Scotia PNP without a job offer.

Can I leave Nova Scotia after getting PR?

Yes. As someone who has received permanent residence, you have the right to travel anywhere in Canada.

Is Nova Scotia a suitable option for obtaining permanent residency?

Compared to most other provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia has affordable housing costs, making it the best place for immigrants to live in Canada. On the other hand, its diverse provincial immigration programs have contributed to the growth of immigration to this province in recent years.

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