The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry is aligned with the federal government’s Express Entry immigration selection system to nominate high skilled foreign nationals for permanent residence in the province of Nova Scotia.

This Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) stream is for skilled individuals with a post-secondary education and qualifications that will help them successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

There are two categories under the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream:

  • Category A: Arranged Employment in Nova Scotia
    • This category requires candidates to have an arranged job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from a Nova Scotia employer. The job offer must be in a 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill Type/Level 0, A, or B occupation.  Nova Scotia’s Office of Immigration specifies that the job offer must be for full-time work that lasts for a minimum of one year after becoming a permanent resident.
  • Category B: Paid Work Experience in an Opportunity Occupation
    • This category entails at least one year of continuous full-time (or 1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in part-time paid work experience in the last six years in one of the opportunity occupations.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible for Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry, candidates must:

  • Have a profile created with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry immigration selection system;
  • Have the minimum educational credential requirement equivalent to a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma;
  • Have a foreign diploma, certificate, or credential and its educational credential equivalency assessment by a designated body or a Canadian educational credential;
  • Have one year of full-time, or part-time equivalent, paid work experience in the last six years in an NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B occupation; and
    • The job offer must be for full-time work that lasts at least one year after a candidate becomes a permanent resident.
  • Meet the minimum language proficiency threshold – currently Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four language components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either English or French demonstrated by language test results from a designated agency:
    • IELTS (General Training Test only) for English;
    • CELPIP (General test only) for English; or
    • TEF for French.

Selection Factors

Potential candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 points on a point grid that measures education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether the candidate has an arranged job offer from a Nova Scotia-based employer.

Selection factor Points
Education Maximum 25 points
Ability in English and/or French Maximum 28 points
Work experience Maximum 15 points
Age Maximum 12 points
Arranged employment in Nova Scotia Maximum 10 points
Adaptability Maximum 10 points
Total Maximum 100 points
Pass mark: 67 Points

Factor 1: Education

Candidates must have a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by CIC.

An ECA is used to verify that the foreign degree, diploma, certificate (or other proof of credentials) is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada. The ECA report will also indicate the authenticity of the foreign educational credential(s).

Education Points
Doctoral (PhD) level 25
University-level credential at the Master’s level OR an entry-to-practice professional degree

For entry-to-practice professional degrees, the degree program must have been in:

  • Medicine,
  • Veterinary Medicine;
  • Dentistry;
  • Podiatry;
  • Optometry;
  • Law;
  • Chiropractic Medicine; and
  • Pharmacy.

AND

The related occupation must be:

  • NOC 2016 Skill Level A, and
  • licensed by a provincial regulatory body
23
Two or more post-secondary credentials (at least one must be for a program of at least three years) 22
Post-secondary credential for a program of three years or longer 21
Two-year post-secondary credential 19
One-year post-secondary credential 15
Secondary school education credential (also called high school) 5
Less than secondary school Ineligible

Factor 2: Ability in English and/or French

Candidates can earn up to 28 points for their skills in English and French. They will be given points based on abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Candidates can also earn points for their official second language capacity. To earn points for skills in both English and French, language test results for each language must be provided at the same time.

Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of receipt at the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) and at application for permanent residence to IRCC.

Language test results must come from one of the following designated testing agencies:

  • English:
    • CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test only)
    • IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)
  • French:
    • TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

Applicants are required to meet the minimum level of CLB 7 (for their first official language in all four language areas). To get points for the second official language, they must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 (in all four language areas).

First official language Points
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
CLB level 9 or higher 6 6 6 6
CLB level 8 5 5 5 5
CLB level 7 4 4 4 4
Below CLB level 7 Not eligible to apply
Second official language Points
At least CLB 5 in all of the four abilities 4
CLB 4 or less in any of the four abilities 0

Factor 3: Work Experience

The Candidate’s Canadian or international work experience must be:

  • At least one year (1,560 hours), continuous full-time or an equal amount in continuous part-time;
  • Paid work (volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count);
  • In the same occupation;
  • Within the last six years before the application to the NSOI and the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
  • In NOC 2011 Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system used to classify jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills and work setting for different jobs.

Experience Points
Less than 1 year Ineligible
1 year 9
2-3 years 11
4-5 years 13
6 or more years 15

Factor 4: Age

Candidates earn points based on their age on the day that their application is received by the NSOI.

Age Points
Under 18 years Ineligible
18-35 years 12
36 years 11
37 years 10
38 years 9
39 years 8
40 years 7
41 years 6
42 years 5
43 years 4
44 years 3
45 years 2
46 years 1
47  years and older 0

Factor 5: Arranged Employment in Nova Scotia

Candidates will receive points if they have a valid offer of arranged employment from a Nova Scotia employer. If the occupation is a regulated occupation in the province, the NSOI must be satisfied that the candidate can be expected to qualify for licensing/certification in Nova Scotia.

A valid offer of employment must be:
  • Made by one employer
  • For continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week);
  • For work that is:
    • located in Nova Scotia
    • for a minimum one year following the issuance of the permanent resident visa
    • not seasonal; and
    • in an occupation in skill level type 0, A, or B of the 2016 NOC.
The job must:
  • Have a compensation package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates;
  • Be a position for which there is a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens; and
  • Not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements or be in any employment disputes.
In addition, the candidate must meet one of the following:
  • The employer making you the job offer has a valid positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada that approves the offer and names you and your position

               OR

  • You are currently working in Canada in a NOC 0, A or B job on a work permit that was issued based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment, and
    • you are working for an employer listed on your work permit, o you are authorized to work in Canada on the day you apply for a permanent resident visa, and when the visa is issued, and o your current employer made you an offer to give you a full-time job for at least one year if you are accepted as a permanent resident

               OR 

  • You have a valid work permit for a NOC 0, A or B job that is exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
    • are currently working for the employer specified on the work permit o have one year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for that employer and o have a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.

Criteria and Requirements for the Employer

If claiming points for arranged employment, the Nova Scotia employer must meet the following requirements:

  • The business has a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia;
  • The business must have been in operation in Nova Scotia, under current management, for at least two years;
  • The employer must have a history of good workplace and business practices, including compliance with employment, immigration, health and safety standards and regulations;
  • The employer must be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations;
  • The employer must make a full-time, continuous, paid work job offer to the candidate; The job must:
    • Be NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of the 2016 NOC,
    • Be located in Nova Scotia,
    • Have a compensation package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates,
    • Be a position for which there is a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens to fill the position,
    • Not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements, labour agreements/standards or be in any employment disputes.
  • The employer must demonstrate satisfactory recruitment efforts to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • The employer must provide a copy of a current LMIA.

Additionally, when reviewing an application, the NSOI will take into consideration support offered to the candidate by the employer. Support may be in the form of financial or non-financial assistance. Some examples of support and retention efforts include settlement assistance, career training plans, coverage or contribution to immigration fees, and others.

Factor 6: Adaptability

Candidates can claim points for their accompanying spouse or common-law partner. However, candidates cannot claim points for a spouse who is living in Canada or a Canadian citizen. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded under this factor, regardless of how many criteria a candidate qualifies for.

Adaptability Points
Arranged employment (principal applicant only)

Points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment.

5
Candidate’s previous study in Nova Scotia

The candidate completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years.

Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week. Candidates must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.

5
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous study in Nova Scotia

The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years.

Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and the spouse or common-law partner must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.

5
Candidate’s previous work in Nova Scotia

The candidate completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Nova Scotia in the past five years:

  • In an occupation in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of NOC; and
  • With a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.
10
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous work in Nova Scotia

The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Nova Scotia in the past five years.

5
Relatives in Nova Scotia

The candidate or, if applicable, his/her spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Nova Scotia and is 19 years or older. Acceptable forms of relatives include:

  • parent
  • grandparent
  • brother/sister
  • aunt/uncle
  • niece/nephew
5
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency

The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency in either English or French is at the CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

To receive these points, candidates must submit a copy of the language test results from a designated testing agency with their application. Results must not be more than two years old on the date that the application is received. The language test results must remain valid through the assessment process with the NSOI and remain valid throughout the submission of a complete application for permanent residence with IRCC.

5

Settlement Requirements

Proof of funds

Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to establish themselves and their family members in the province of Nova Scotia. The amount required to show proof of funds is determined by family size. The funds must be in the candidate’s name or in the name of the accompanying spouse.

These funds must be unencumbered by debts or obligations transferable and available to the candidate. Funds must be liquid (i.e. not real estate) and cannot be borrowed.

Proof of funds is not required if:

  • the candidate has a valid job offer (offer of arranged employment) in Nova Scotia; and
  • the candidate is currently working or is authorized to work in Nova Scotia.

Arranged Employment Income

The NSOI will not approve an application if it appears that the family income (based on the offer of employment and any spousal income) will be below Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-off.

Settlement Plan

Candidates are required to show a genuine intention to settle in Nova Scotia by providing a detailed explanation of why they chose to settle permanently in the province and what they believe Nova Scotia can offer them and their family. The settlement plan can include details such as accommodation /housing, transportation, employment/job, schools or child care, language training plans and integration into the community

Opportunity Occupations

The following occupation list represents professions where there may be employment opportunities in Nova Scotia. The NOC code and occupation title, which are based on Canada’s 2016 National Occupational Classification, helps determine whether a job meets the skill levels established for skilled and semi-skilled occupations, and whether the candidate’s qualifications and experience match the requirements of the job.

In your application to NSOI under this category you will need to demonstrate that you:

  • performed the actions described in the lead statements for the occupation as set out in the occupational description of the NOC; and
  • performed a substantial number of the main duties, including all of the essential duties, of the occupation as set out in the occupational description of NOC.

This list is subject to change.

Occupation title NOC Skill level
Financial Auditors and Accountants 1111 A
Other financial officers 1114 A
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations 1123 A
Administrative assistants 1241 B
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers 1311 B
Civil engineers 2131 A
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 3012 A
Licensed practical nurses 3233 B
College and other vocational instructors
4021 A
Paralegal and related occupations 4211 B
Social and community service workers 4212 B