Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for skilled workers

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia has developed several programs (called streams) to select skilled workers for immigration to the province, under the umbrella of the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program:

  1. The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream;
  2. The Nova Scotia Demand—Express Entry stream;
  3. The Nova Scotia Experience—Express Entry stream;
  4. The International Graduate Entrepreneur.

Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream

The Skilled Worker stream helps employers recruit foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.

Candidates wishing to apply must:

  • Have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
  • Have 1 year of work experience related to the job (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must already have six months’ experience with the employer);
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have at least a high school diploma;
  • Have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
  • Prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if they are a skilled worker. If their first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have test results to prove they meet at least Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 even if their first language is English or French;
  • Have enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia demande: express Entry

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream selects highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently and will only consider certain types of occupations for nomination. These target occupations may change over time depending on current labour market needs.

Candidates who wish to apply under the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry must:

  • Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in one of the target occupations;
  • Have at least a Canadian high school credential or the equivalent;
  • Prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7;
  • Score 67 points or more on the stream’s six selection factors;
  • Demonstrate having sufficient financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia;
  • Have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system.
Note: Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry is not accepting new applications at this time.

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream selects highly skilled individuals who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently and who have at least one year of experience working in Nova Scotia in a high skilled occupation.

Candidates who wish to apply under the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry must:

  • Have at least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia;
  • Be 21 to 55 years old;
  • Have at least a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
  • Prove language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 for skilled work in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 and A, and at least Level 5 for NOC B positions;
  • Have a profile registered in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system.

International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. They must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year. If they intend to settle in Nova Scotia, the graduate may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.

Candidates who wish to apply under the International Graduate Entrepreneur must:

  • Be willing to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
  • Have at least one year’s continuous experience actively managing and owning this current Nova Scotia business (100% ownership minimum);
  • Have completed a degree or diploma after at least 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College;
  • Have a valid post-graduation work permit;
  • Have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
  • Complete an online Expression of Interest;
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.