Work immigration to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of the provinces that offers a variety of programs for permanent residency. If you’re interested in studying in Nova Scotia, planning to immigrate there through a job offer in Canada, or simply want to settle in this beautiful province, read this text until the end to learn about the permanent residency programs through Nova Scotia’s work immigration and check if you meet the requirements for this province.
Benefits of the work immigration program to Nova Scotia, Canada:
– Possibility of immigrating with semi-skilled or unskilled work.
– Low language score requirements.
– Minimal work experience needed.
– No points-based system.
– Lower costs compared to other provincial programs.
Subcategories of the work immigration program to Nova Scotia, Canada:
| Subcategories | Main condition of the program | Duration of initial review |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: | Having an Express Entry profile. | Processing time is two to three months. |
| 2. Labour Market Priorities for Physicians: | Having an Express Entry profile and a job offer as a general practitioner or specialist. | |
| 3. Physician Program: | Having a job offer as a general practitioner or specialist. | |
| 4. International Graduates In Demand: | Graduating from Nova Scotia and having a job offer as a hospital nursing assistant and patient service assistant or child care assistant and educator. | |
| 5. Skilled Worker Program: | A job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. | |
| 6. Occupations in Demand Program: | Having a job offer in one of the roles like nursing assistants; housekeepers; patient service assistants; food and beverage servers; kitchen assistants; light duty cleaners; truck drivers; heavy equipment operators; construction helpers; and laborers. | |
| 7. Nova Scotia Experience: | Express Entry: Having a Canadian Express Entry profile and one year of work experience in Nova Scotia. |
Requirements for the work immigration program to Nova Scotia, Canada.
In this section, we will review the requirements for all the subcategories of the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program. To obtain permanent residency through the Nova Scotia Provincial Program, you must meet the criteria of one of the following programs.
Requirements for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Program
In the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Program, the province selects individuals based on its labor market priorities. You must meet at least the criteria listed in the section below, and if the province deems your skills necessary for its labor market, it will issue you an invitation.
You need to create a profile under one of the Express Entry programs. The various Express Entry programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. You also need to express your interest in the province of Nova Scotia when creating your profile.
The minimum work experience required for one of the Express Entry programs is at least one year in one of the NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the Canada NOC classifications.
Please note that to create an Express Entry profile, you need to have a language proficiency certificate. The required score for the language certificate varies depending on each of the Express Entry programs. Also, if you have not studied in Canada, you must have your highest qualification assessed.
There are organizations that assess foreign educational credentials and determine what they are equivalent to in Canada. One of the best assessment organizations is World Education Services (WES).
Requirements for the Labour Market Priorities Program for Physicians
In the Labour Market Priorities for Physicians program, physicians who are part of the Express Entry system are selected. The required conditions include:
A job offer from NSHA (Nova Scotia Health Authority) or IWK (Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre) as a General Practitioner or Family Physician (NOC 31102) or as a Clinical and Laboratory Specialist (NOC 31100).
You need to create a profile under one of the Express Entry programs. The various Express Entry programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. You also need to express your interest in the province of Nova Scotia when creating your profile.
You need to have one of the English or French language qualifications listed in the table below with the following scores:
| Exam | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| General CELPIP | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Core | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 68-75 |
| TEF Canada | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 310-348 |
| TCF Canada | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 10-11 |
A commitment to live and work for at least 2 years in Nova Scotia
At least one year of work experience as a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist
A valid medical degree from Canada or outside Canada. Degrees obtained outside Canada must be evaluated. There are organizations that assess foreign educational credentials and announce what Canadian degree it is equivalent to. This evaluation must come from the Medical Council of Canada. The credentials must be appropriate for obtaining a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
It must be proven that your job offer income, depending on the number of family members, meets at least the amounts listed in the LICO table for a 12-month period:
| Number of family members | LICO – 12 months | LICO – 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 26620 | 13310 |
| 2 people | 33140 | 16570 |
| 3 people | 40742 | 20371 |
| 4 people | 49466 | 24733 |
| 5 people | 56104 | 28052 |
| 6 people | 63276 | 31638 |
| 7 people | 70448 | 35224 |
| More than 7 people: this amount is added for each additional person | 7172 | 3586 |
Conditions for the Physician program
A job offer from NSHA (Nova Scotia Health Authority) or IWK (Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre) as a general practitioner and family physician (NOC 31102) or clinical and laboratory medical specialist (NOC 31100)
A commitment to live and work for at least 2 years in Nova Scotia
A valid medical degree from Canada or outside Canada. Degrees obtained outside Canada must be evaluated. There are organizations that assess foreign educational credentials and announce what Canadian degree it is equivalent to. This evaluation must come from the Medical Council of Canada. The credentials must be appropriate for obtaining a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
Conditions required for the Graduate program
A permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia for positions as a nursing assistant, hospital orderly, and patient service assistants (NOC 33102) and childcare assistants and educators (NOC 42202). The employer must have been active in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years and must be registered in the province.
Graduation from an educational program in Nova Scotia. The application must be submitted within a maximum of 3 years after completing the educational program in Nova Scotia. This educational program must relate to one of the job categories mentioned in the job offer and at least half of it must be completed in Nova Scotia. If this program pertains to NOC 33102, the applicant must ultimately receive a certificate, degree, or diploma; however, if it relates to NOC 42202, they must receive at least a diploma or degree. Additionally, this educational program must be a minimum of 30 weeks long.
Age requirements for working immigration to Nova Scotia: at least 21 years old and a maximum age of 55 years. You must have one of the English or French language qualifications listed below with the following scores:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| General CELPIP | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Core | 31-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 51-58 |
| TEF Canada | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| TCF Canada | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 | 6 |
Skilled Worker program requirements for Nova Scotia.
There is no points system for the Skilled Worker program in Nova Scotia. To immigrate to Nova Scotia through the Skilled Worker program or skilled labor, you must meet the following conditions:
A permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. The employer must have operated in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years. This job offer can be at any of the TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
At least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience related to the job offer within the past 5 years (individuals with TEER levels 4 or 5 must have 6 months of work experience with the same employer).
Age requirements for the Skilled Worker program in Nova Scotia: minimum age 21 and maximum age 55.
At least a high school diploma.
Possessing the skills, abilities, and training necessary for the proposed job.
Language requirement for the Skilled Worker program in Nova Scotia: Individuals with a job offer at TEER levels 0, 1, 2, 3: Language proficiency in English or French according to the table below:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| General CELPIP | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Core | 31-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 51-58 |
| TEF Canada | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| TCF Canada | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 | 6 |
Individuals with job offers at TEER levels 4 and 5: An English or French language certificate according to the table below:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 |
| General CELPIP | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| PTE Core | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 42-50 |
| TEF Canada | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 181-225 |
| TCF Canada | 331-368 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 4-5 |
In the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Program, you must demonstrate that your job offer income meets the minimum level according to the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) table for your family size over a 12-month period:
| Family Size | LICO – 12 months | LICO – 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 27586 | 13794 |
| 2 People | 34346 | 17173 |
| 3 People | 42224 | 21112 |
| 4 People | 51267 | 25633 |
| 5 People | 58145 | 29072 |
| 6 People | 65578 | 32789 |
| 7 People | 73011 | 36506 |
| More than 7 People: add this amount for each additional person | 7433 | 3717 |
Conditions for the Nova Scotia In-Demand Occupations Program
Permanent full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. The employer must have been active in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years. This job offer must be in one of the following occupations.
At least 1 year of full-time work experience related to the job offer within the past 5 years.
Age requirements for working immigration to Nova Scotia: minimum age 21 and maximum age 55.
Minimum high school diploma.
Demonstrated skill and ability and required training for the proposed job.
You must have one of the English or French language certificates in the table below with the specified scores:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 |
| General CELPIP | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| PTE Core | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 42-50 |
| TEF Canada | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 181-225 |
| TCF Canada | 331-368 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 4-5 |
You must demonstrate that your job offer income meets the minimum level according to the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) table for your family size over a 12-month period:
| Family Size | LICO – 12 months | LICO – 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 27586 | 13794 |
| 2 People | 34346 | 17173 |
| 3 People | 42224 | 21112 |
| 4 People | 51267 | 25633 |
| 5 People | 58145 | 29072 |
| 6 People | 65578 | 32789 |
| 7 People | 73011 | 36506 |
| More than 7 People: add this amount for each additional person | 7433 | 3717 |
Nova Scotia Experience Program: Express Entry
According to the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Program, you must meet the following conditions:
You must create a profile under one of the Express Entry programs. The different Express Entry programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. Also, when creating the profile, you should express your interest in the province of Nova Scotia.
At least one year of full-time work experience or its equivalent in part-time work in Nova Scotia within the last three years (self-employment, studying while working, volunteering, and unpaid work are not counted). This work must be in one of the TEER levels 0, 1, 2, 3 in the Canadian job classification system.
Must have a high school diploma.
Language requirements:
For individuals with a job offer at TEER levels 0, 1: an English or French language certificate is required as per the table below:
| Exam | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| General CELPIP | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Core | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 68-75 |
| TEF Canada | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 310-348 |
| TCF Canada | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 10-11 |
For individuals with a job offer at TEER levels 2, 3: an English or French language certificate is required as per the table below:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General IELTS | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| General CELPIP | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Core | 31-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 51-58 |
| TEF Canada | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| TCF Canada | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 | 6 |
Documents required for work immigration to Nova Scotia
To obtain permanent residency through the Nova Scotia work immigration program, you must provide the following documents based on the selected subcategory:
Language certificate: only one of the following documents is accepted for this program.
English language
CELPIP General certificate (CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
Note that the CELPIP General-LS test is not accepted.
IELTS General certificate (IELTS: International English Language Testing System)
French language
TEF Canada certificate (TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français)
TCF Canada certificate (TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français)
Educational documents: main degree and transcripts, and credential assessment (if the degree was obtained outside Canada)
Proof of funds and a three-month bank statement
| Number of family members | Amount of proof of funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14690 |
| 2 | 18288 |
| 3 | 22483 |
| 4 | 27297 |
| 5 | 30690 |
| 6 | 34917 |
| 7 | 38875 |
| For each additional person | 3958 |
Work experience letter
Police clearance certificate
This certificate must be obtained for all family members over 18 years old from any country where they have resided for more than 6 months (except for Canada).
Passport, visas, and temporary residence permits from other countries besides the country of citizenship, birth certificate, marriage certificate, national ID, and recent photo
Steps for the work immigration program to Nova Scotia, Canada
The steps and application methods for subcategories aligned with Express Entry and non-express entry subcategories are different. Therefore, the steps and methods for each will be mentioned separately. To obtain permanent residency through the Nova Scotia provincial program, you must follow the steps below.
Express Entry aligned subcategories
Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream
Nova Scotia Physician Stream
Nova Scotia Experience Class
Non-Express Entry subcategories
Physician Stream
In Demand Graduate Stream
Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream
In Demand Occupations Stream
Step One: Submitting an application for Nova Scotia and getting a provincial nomination
In the Express Entry aligned subcategories, you first need to create an Express Entry profile on the GCKey website. To set up your Express Entry profile, you’ll have to enter information about your work experience, language proficiency, education, and personal details.
Once your Express Entry profile is created, your application goes into a pool. But this pool is different from the ones you’re used to! In this virtual pool, there are applications with varying scores and conditions. Your application is like a fish that the fisherman (Nova Scotia Immigration) needs to catch with a net.
Depending on the needs of Nova Scotia, there are draws every so often. In these draws, the Nova Scotia government selects individuals who meet their criteria from the pool and issues them a Letter of Interest.
After that, you have 30 days to create an account on the Nova Scotia website, enter your information, and submit your application. After reviewing your conditions, Nova Scotia will issue you a provincial nomination within 3 to 6 months.
For the subcategories unrelated to Express Entry, you must create an account on the Nova Scotia website, enter your details, and submit your application. After reviewing your conditions, Nova Scotia will issue you a provincial nomination within 3 to 6 months.
Step Two: Submitting an application to the federal immigration office and getting permanent residency
In the Express Entry aligned subcategories, you must accept the provincial nomination in your Express Entry profile within 30 days of receiving it. After that, the provincial Express Entry draw takes place, and you will receive an invitation. You then have 60 days to upload all required documents to your Express Entry profile, provide any additional requested information, pay the fee, and submit your application for permanent residency.
Then the federal immigration office will review your documents and information for about 6 to 9 months. During this review, your security and criminal background will also be checked. If everything is approved, a permanent residency confirmation will be sent to you.
In the subcategories not related to Express Entry, after receiving a provincial nomination, you have 6 months to submit your application to the federal immigration office. You can apply in two ways:
1. You can submit your application online by creating a profile on the permanent residency online portal. In this profile, you will need to upload scans of all your documents, pay the fees, and complete the forms digitally in the same profile.
2. You can prepare your documents on paper, pay the fees, and send them by mail. Then the federal immigration office will review your documents and information for about 6 to 9 months. During this review, your security and criminal background will also be checked. If everything is approved, a permanent residency confirmation will be sent to you.
How much is the permanent residency application fee through the Nova Scotia provincial program?
| Cost Breakdown: | Applicant | Applicant's Spouse | Each Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application processing fee: | $950 CAD | $950 CAD | $260 CAD |
| Permanent residency issuance fee: | $575 CAD | $575 CAD | |
| Fingerprinting fee: | $85 CADmIf the applicant has a spouse and children it's $170 CAD for the whole family (applicant spouse and children). |
New Articles
Recent News
Frequently asked questions
What are the age requirements for work immigration to Nova Scotia?
Some subcategories of this program have no age requirements, while in some subcategories, individuals aged 21 to 55 can use the program. However, migrating at a younger age does not count for points in this program.
How long is the processing time for the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Program?
All subcategories of this program are reviewed by the province within 3 to 6 months.
How is the points table for the skilled workforce in Nova Scotia structured?
Nova Scotia’s work immigration programs do not have a points table, so it’s enough to meet the required conditions to receive an invitation.
Is it easy to obtain a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia?
yes Considering that this program does not have a scoring table and therefore the selection of people is not competitive, if you meet the requirements of the program, you can get a provincial nomination.
Is work history required for Nova Scotia?
No. A work history letter is sufficient for this program.