NSNP

Overview

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an immigration program that allows Nova Scotia to nominate individuals who wish to settle in the province and contribute to its economic growth. The program is designed to address specific labor market needs and demographic goals by attracting and retaining qualified immigrants. Successful nominees receive a provincial nomination, which can then be used to apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How it works

The NSNP operates several streams, each with unique eligibility criteria designed to target various types of applicants, including skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs. Applicants submit an application to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) under a specific stream. If nominated, they then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Some NSNP streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which may offer a faster processing time for permanent residence applications once nominated.

Who it's for

The NSNP is suitable for foreign nationals who have a strong connection to Nova Scotia, such as a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, previous work experience or education in the province, or demonstrate an intention to settle and contribute to the provincial economy. It is also designed for Nova Scotia employers who are struggling to find qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill permanent positions.

Eligibility for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program varies significantly by stream. Applicants must meet general criteria applicable to all streams, as well as specific requirements for their chosen stream.

General Eligibility Considerations:

• Intention to reside: All applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Nova Scotia.
• Economic Establishment: Applicants must show they can economically establish themselves in Nova Scotia.
• Legal Status: Applicants must have legal status in their current country of residence.

Common Stream-Specific Eligibility Examples:

• Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream:
  • Meet criteria for a federal Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class).
  • Have work experience in one of Nova Scotia's targeted occupations.
  • Meet language proficiency requirements.
  • Achieve a minimum score on the NSNP points grid.
• Skilled Worker Stream:
  • Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 position.
  • Be 18 to 55 years old.
  • Have at least one year of work experience related to the job offer.
  • Meet language proficiency in English or French (CLB 5 for NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3; CLB 4 for NOC TEER 4 or 5).
  • Have a high school diploma.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream:
  • Have completed a degree or diploma from a Nova Scotia university or Nova Scotia Community College.
  • Have operated a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year.
  • Intend to permanently reside in Nova Scotia and own and actively manage a business in Nova Scotia.
  • Meet language proficiency requirements (CLB 7).
• Entrepreneur Stream:
  • Be 21 years of age or older.
  • Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
  • Have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000.
  • Be able to make a minimum investment of CAD $150,000 to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia.
  • Have at least three years of experience actively managing and owning a business OR more than five years' experience in a senior business management role.
  • Meet language proficiency requirements (CLB 5).

It is crucial to review the specific guidelines for the chosen NSNP stream, as eligibility criteria can be updated regularly by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

The specific documents required for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program will depend on the stream you are applying under. However, common documents generally include:

• Identity and Civil Status Documents: Valid passport(s), birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce certificate (if applicable), national identity cards.
• Educational Documents: Educational credential assessments (ECA) for foreign education, diplomas, degrees, transcripts.
• Work Experience Documents: Letters of employment, reference letters, pay stubs, employment contracts, resumes.
• Language Proficiency Results: Official results from approved language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French).
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements, investment statements, or other verifiable documents demonstrating sufficient funds to settle in Nova Scotia.
• Job Offer (if applicable): A copy of a valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
• Business Plan (for Entrepreneur Streams): A comprehensive business plan outlining the proposed business, market analysis, financial projections, and job creation.
• Net Worth Verification (for Entrepreneur Streams): Documentation verifying personal net worth and source of funds.
• Provincial Forms: Completed NSNP application forms specific to the chosen stream.
• Federal Forms: Depending on the stream, some federal forms may be required at the provincial nomination stage or will be required upon application to IRCC for permanent residence.

All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

The application process for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program generally involves several key steps, although specific nuances exist between streams:

1. Determine Eligibility: Review the criteria for all NSNP streams to identify which one best matches your qualifications, work experience, and intent to settle in Nova Scotia. This is a critical first step as eligibility varies considerably.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary supporting documents as specified by the chosen NSNP stream. This typically includes identity documents, educational credentials, proof of work experience, language test results, and financial documents.
3. Complete Provincial Application: Submit a complete application package to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI). This may involve an online application portal or a paper-based submission, depending on the stream.
4. Receive Provincial Nomination: If your application meets the NSNP criteria, the NSOI will issue a Certificate of Nomination. For Express Entry-aligned streams, this nomination will add points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
5. Apply for Permanent Residence to IRCC: Once nominated by Nova Scotia, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You must submit a complete application to IRCC within the specified timeframe, along with all required federal forms and supporting documents.
6. Medical Examination and Police Clearances: As part of the federal application process, you and your accompanying family members will be required to undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician and obtain police certificates from any country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
7. Decision on Permanent Residence: IRCC will review your application. If approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable).
8. Land in Canada: You and your family must land in Canada before the expiry date on your COPR.

Most Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams allow principal applicants to include their accompanying family members in their application for permanent residence. This typically includes:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Your spouse or common-law partner can be included in the application.
• Dependent Children: Your own children and those of your spouse or common-law partner who meet the definition of a dependent child (under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship) can be included.

All accompanying family members must undergo medical examinations and obtain police clearances as required by IRCC. Their eligibility will be assessed alongside the principal applicant's.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia, applicants may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed by IRCC. This is often applicable to those with a valid job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. The work permit would allow the nominee to work for the specific employer that supported their nomination.

For applicants nominated through an Express Entry-aligned stream who do not yet have a job offer, or those without a job offer in other streams, obtaining an open work permit is not typically an option based solely on the provincial nomination. Work rights are generally tied to specific employer-supported nominations or other federal work permit programs.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program is a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence. A provincial nomination from Nova Scotia allows successful applicants to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident status. For Express Entry-aligned streams, a provincial nomination adds 600 points to an applicant's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Upon approval by IRCC, the applicant and their accompanying family members will become permanent residents of Canada, granting them the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents, including access to social services and healthcare.

Applications to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program can be refused for various reasons, both at the provincial (NSOI) and federal (IRCC) stages. Common refusal reasons include:

• Incomplete Application: Failing to provide all required documents or not completing forms accurately.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or misleading documents. This can also lead to a ban from applying to Canada for several years.
• Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Not satisfying the specific requirements of the chosen NSNP stream (e.g., insufficient work experience, low language scores, inadequate funds).
• Lack of Genuine Intent to Settle: Not convincing the immigration officer of a sincere intention to live and work in Nova Scotia.
• Job Offer Issues: The job offer not meeting NSNP requirements (e.g., not permanent, not full-time, or from an ineligible employer).
• Insufficient Funds: Not demonstrating enough unencumbered funds to support oneself and accompanying family members upon arrival in Nova Scotia.
• Inadmissibility: Applicants or their family members being deemed inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as criminality, serious health issues, or security concerns.
• Failure to Respond to Requests: Not responding to requests for additional information or documents from the NSOI or IRCC within the specified timeframe.
• Business Plan Issues (Entrepreneur Streams): A weak or unviable business plan, or insufficient demonstration of business management experience or net worth.