Immigration Canada: Eligibility Requirements for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Harbour of Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia Français : Port de Peggys Cove, Nouvelle-Écosse (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Below are the detailed eligibility requirements for the various streams of the NSNP.

Skilled Worker Stream

The Skilled Worker Stream is composed of three different categories, each with their own eligibility criteria. They are as follows:

Skilled Workers

This category is for individuals with experience in an occupation classified as NOC level 0, A or B, also known as skilled occupations. Priority is given to these high skilled applicants. See below for further eligibility requirements.

Semi-Skilled Workers

This category is for workers whose occupations are classified as NOC level C, also known as semi-skilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.

Priority is given to semi-skilled workers whose employers:

Have made an effort to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position; and
Can demonstrate that they will provide support to assist newcomers with settlement needs

See below for further eligibility criteria.

Low-Skilled Workers

This category is for individuals whose occupations are classified as NOC level D, also known as unskilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.

Priority is given to low-skilled workers whose employers:

Have made an effort to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position; and
Can demonstrate that they will provide support to assist newcomers with settlement needs

See below for further eligibility criteria.

General Criteria for this Stream
In addition to the general eligibility outlined above, all applicants, regardless of their work experience, must meet the following eligibility requirements:

If living in Canada, provide proof of legal status
Be between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time of application
Receive a full time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
Have at completed at least a high school level of education (12 years of study), and;
- Have the education, training, and licensing/certification needed to perform the job in Canada, if applicable
Have at least 12 months of relevant work experience
Meet language requirements for the program
- For NOC levels 0, A or B – CLB level 5 in English or French
- For NOC levels C or D – CLB level 4 in English or French
Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia

Employers sponsoring applicants through this program must meet the following requirements:

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 be located in Nova Scotia
- The job must have salary and benefits that meet Provincial employment standards
- The job must be in a position for which there is a shortage of qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Job offers made to NOC level C or D occupations will be considered based on local labour market requirements and conditions
Demonstrate recruitment efforts to fill the position with a qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Regional Labour Market Demand Stream

This stream will accept a maximum of 150 applications.

This stream targets individuals whose skills and experience meet Nova Scotia labour market needs. Applicants are not required to have a job offer at the time of submitting their application. However, they must intend to pursue employment in an occupation that has been designated as ‘in demand’ by the province. The following 25 occupations are currently designated as in-demand and thus eligible for this program:

Systems Testing Technicians
Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians
Registered Nurses
Head Nurses and Supervisors
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Managers in Health Care
Computer Engineers
Licensed Practical Nurses
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
User Support Technicians
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
Specialist Physicians
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Financial Auditors and Accountants
Software Engineers and designers
Medical Engineers
User Support Technicians
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
Specialist Physicians
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Financial Auditors and Accountants
Software Engineers and Designers
Medical laboratory Technologists and Pathologists’ Assistants
Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
Welders
Machinists
Industrial Electricians
Steamfitters/Pipefitters
Sheet Metal Workers

In addition, eligible applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be between the ages of 21 and 55
Demonstrate language proficiency of at least level 5 according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale or the Niveaux de competence linquistique canadiens (NCLC) scale
Have an intended occupation in Nova Scotia that is considered skilled (NOC levels 0, A or B), and is in demand in their intended community of residence
Be legally residing in current country of residence
Have completed a high school level of education and received at least a degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution
Have at least two years of continuous, full-time work experience in last five years related to intended occupation in Nova Scotia
Demonstrate the ability to become economically established in Nova Scotia
Demonstrate intent to live in Nova Scotia permanently
Complete an Employment and Settlement Plan outlining their potential contributions to Nova Scotia
Attend an interview in Nova Scotia, if required

Family Business Worker

This stream helps Nova Scotia employers hire workers that are close relatives and have specific skills that may be difficult to find amongst Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In order to be eligible, the identified worker, or their spouse, must be related to the family business owner or the spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways:

Son or daughter
Brother or sister
Niece or nephew (children of brothers or sisters)
Uncle or aunt (parent’s brothers or sisters)
Grandchild

They may also be a step or half relative of the same degree.

In addition, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Have legal status in their country of residence
Have a permanent, full time job offer from a Nova Scotia business belonging to a close family member
Have the necessary education, training, qualifications or licensing/accreditation needed to perform the job
Have the appropriate work experience needed for the position
Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia

In addition, the family business owner, or their spouse, must meet the following criteria:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Lived in Nova Scotia for at least two years
Own at least 33.3% of the business issuing a job offer.
- Business should be under current management for at least two years
Have a financially viable business that can provide the salary and other parameters outlined in the job offer
Not received social assistance or employment assistance within the last two years
Issue a full-time, permanent job offer to the close family member that meets the following requirements:
Has a salary, benefit, and working condition standards that meet provincial employment standards
- Does not contravene bargaining agreements or settle any labour disputes
- For occupations requiring certification, applicant should contact a provincial certification organization and verify they meet requirements
The family business owner or their spouse/common-law or conjugal partner may support an application under this category no more than once every two years. They may have to provide documentation to show that previously supported family members have settled into Nova Scotia, found employment, and not needed social assistance.