The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the first step in a two-step application process for a permanent resident visa to Canada. It is used to recruit and select immigrants who intend to settle in Nova Scotia. The NSNP allows the Government of Nova Scotia to nominate applicants who can meet the province’s labour market and economic needs. The processing time for eligible applications can be completed within two months. Nominated applicants, along with their spouse and dependents, may become permanent residents following approval by the Canadian government. Processing times for provincial nominee applications processed by visa offices outside Canada can be found here. NSNP like all other Canadian PNP programs are subject to frequent changes - for up to date information on all rules, information and application forms visit NSNP web site. Nova Scotia Nominee Program Streams
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams are open to qualified skilled workers and other immigrants who meet community needs. Skilled Worker For skilled workers who have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. The skilled worker must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer before submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Provincial priorities may change as skill shortages are met by permanent residents or Canadian citizens. Skilled and Semi-Skilled WorkersThe Office of Immigration differentiates between skilled workers, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers.Skilled workers are defined as individuals with occupation within NOC skill level O, A or B. Priority will be awarded to these higher skilled occupations. Semi-skilled workers have occupations that fall under the NOC skill level C occupations. The Office of Immigration may consider applications based on local labour market requirement and conditions, and 6 months of work with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application. Low-skilled workers have occupations that fall under the NOC skill level D. The Office of Immigration may consider applications from individuals in these occupations only if all other eligibility criteria are met, the principal applicant has worked for at least 6 months with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application, there are indicators of success in the application, and there is a strong employer support. The Office of Immigration reserves the right to consider only certain types of jobs and occupations for nomination. This decision will depend on the current economic situation of the Nova Scotia labour market needs. For skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers, priority will be given to workers whose employers: - have made a genuine effort to recruit qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents - can demonstrate that they will provide additional supports to assist newcomers with their settlement needs. Positions in all skill level occupations need to receive prevailing wages for their industry or sector as per the Government of Canada Web site www.workingincanada.gc.ca How to apply Application forms International Graduate For international graduates who have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer and have been working for the employer for at least three months. The International Graduate stream helps Nova Scotia employers hire and retain international graduates. The international graduate must have a full-time, permanent job offer, preferably related to their field of study from a Nova Scotia employer and be working for that employer for at least three consecutive months before submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Provincial priorities may change as skill shortages are met by permanent residents or Canadian citizens. To be eligible to apply to the International Graduate stream, the graduate must have graduated within the last three years from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Canada and have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a provincially-recognized institution in Canada. Applicants still in study are not eligible to this stream. How to apply Application forms Community Identified For individuals who have significant employment prospects, have a strong connection to a particular Nova Scotia community and have received a Letter of Identification from an Office of Immigration mandated organization. The Community Identified stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is aimed at selecting individuals who have strong connections to a Nova Scotia community, wish to live there permanently have excellent employment prospects, and can contribute to the labour market and economy of that specific community. The applicant must have received a Letter of Identification from an organization mandated by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration before submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. The list of organizations is found in Appendix 3 of the NSNP Community Identified Application Guide posted here. The Community Identified candidate cannot be eligible for any other NSNP streams in order to apply to this category. How to apply Application forms Family Business Worker For workers who have received a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia business owned by a close relative. The Family Business Worker stream assists employers in hiring workers who are close relatives and have the work experience and required skills for positions employers may have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. The family business worker must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer who is a close relative and who owns an established business in Nova Scotia before submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). The worker or the spouse must be related to the family business owner or spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways. The worker is the business owner’s*:
OccupationsThe Office of Immigration differentiates between skilled workers, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers as per the National Occupation Classification (NOC).Skilled workersare defined as individuals with occupation within NOC skill level O, A or B. Priority will be awarded to these higher skilled occupations. Semi-skilled workershave occupations that fall under the NOC skill level C occupations. The Office of Immigration may consider applications based on local labour market requirement and conditions, and six (6) months of work with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application. Low-skilled workershave occupations that fall under the NOC skill level D. The Office of Immigration may consider applications from individuals in these occupations only if all other eligibility criteria are met, the principal applicant has worked for at least six (6) months with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application, there are indicators of success in the application, and there is a strong employer support. The Office of Immigration reserves the right to consider only certain types of jobs and occupations for nomination. This decision will depend on the current economic situation of the Nova Scotia labour market needs. For skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers, priority will be given to workers whose employers: - have made a genuine effort to recruit qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents - can demonstrate that they will provide additional supports to assist newcomers with their settlement needs. Positions in all skill level occupations need to receive prevailing wages for their industry or sector as per the Government of Canada Web site www.workingincanada.gc.ca Criteria for Family Employer
The NSNP will not consider as the Worker:
appropriate for the NSNP.
Application forms Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee For individuals who are non-dependent adult children of Nova Scotia nominees who wish to enter the labour market and contribute to the economy of the province. The Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee streamis aimed at selecting individuals who are the non-dependent children of immigrants who were nominated under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). The principal applicant must plan to live in Nova Scotia permanently, have strong employment prospects and be able to contribute to the labour market and economy of Nova Scotia. Employability of the applicant will be determined based on the current labour market needs of Nova Scotia. Nominee’s non-dependent children must have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in the last five years in their field of studies and/or have the intention and ability to enter the Nova Scotia labour market. The principal applicant can be in studies outside Canada and be eligible to apply to the Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee stream if they have already have completed at least one year of post-secondary education and have received a degree, diploma or certificate issued by an accredited institution. The principal applicant is eligible to submit an application while pursuing an additional post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate. ParentParents / nominees need to meet all the following criteria in order for their non-dependent child to be eligible to apply under the Non-Dependent Child of Nova Scotia Nominee stream.
How to apply Application forms Agri-Food Sector For immigrants who plan to establish a business in Nova Scotia in the agriculture sector for primary and/or value added production. The Agri-Food Sector pilot is aimed at immigrants interested in agri-food production and/or value added production. The pilot gives the opportunity to strengthen rural communities by creating jobs and growing the economy by bringing agricultural skills to Nova Scotia. The Agri-Food Sector pilot is a joint venture between the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. The first step to applying to the Agri-Food Sector pilot is for you, the applicant, to come to Nova Scotia for a minimum of one five (5) working days exploratory visit to research farming opportunities. During this visit, you will meet with representatives of the Department of Agriculture who will inform and guide you in the Nova Scotia agri-food sector. You will also have an interview with a nominee officer from the Office of Immigration who will provide you with information about the application process. Some of the eligibility criteria:
A qualifying farming business must demonstrate a minimum annual revenue of $10,000 CAD. Hobby farms are not eligible. How to apply Application forms |
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