The Nova Scotia Demand – Express Entry targets Express Entry applicants who will be able to fill shortages in Nova Scotia’s labour forces by quickly and easily integrating into the workforce.
The Nova Scotia Demand – Express Entry stream is one of several immigration streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Nova Scotia. 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. The candidate must have a profile created with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry immigration selection system. 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.
The following occupation list represents professions where there may be employment opportunities in Nova Scotia. The occupations are classified with National Occupational Classification 2016 (NOC). The NOC 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. The NOC Matrix provides an overview of the entire occupational classification structure based on skill levels and skill types.
| 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 |
Level of 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).
Language Proficiency
The candidate must 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 designated agencies.
Points Assessment Grid
To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, candidates must score at least 67 points on the province’s points assessment grid (mentioned below).
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 or the candidate is currently working/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 childcare, language training plans and integration into the community.
Application Process
The first step to applying for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream is to create a profile with IRCC’s online Express Entry system. A candidate’s Express Entry profile number and job seeker code are necessary for the application. After creating a profile on Express Entry, candidates will need to submit all the requested documents along with the application electronically through Nova Scotia’s online service. It is important to ensure all requested documents are completed, signed and translated by a certified translator (if required). Candidates may have to attend an in-person interview in Nova Scotia. Once an application is received, the NSOI begins the process by conducting a complete check. After conducting a full review and evaluation of the application, the NSOI will communicate a decision of nomination or refusal to the candidate (or representative) via email. If a nomination is issued, the candidate will have 30 days to accept the nomination in his or her Express Entry profile. Candidates who are being considered for refusal will receive an Intent to Refuse letter from the NSOI and will have 10 business days to provide additional information.
Following the acceptance of a nomination, candidates nominated by the province will obtain an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Nominees will have 90 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence and provide all the supporting documents to the federal government. If approved for permanent residence, applicants and their spouses/partners and dependants will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent residence, which must be submitted to the NSOI within 30 days of arrival in Nova Scotia along with other required documents.
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 |
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 (Ph.D.) 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:
AND
|
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 |
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 |
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 works 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 |
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 |
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: |
|---|
|
| The job must: |
|
| In addition, the candidate must meet one of the following: |
OR
OR
|
Adoptability
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:
|
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:
|
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 |
Ineligible Applicant
Candidates should not apply if they are:
- A person who has received a nomination under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program dated within the last 12 months;
- Intending to work in an occupation that is a NOC skill level C or D;
- A grandparent, parent, spouse, common-law or conjugal partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
- An applicant under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, a refugee claimant or a failed refugee claimant;
- In Canada illegally, under a removal order, or are prohibited from entering or being in Canada;
- An individual who does not have legal status in Canada (candidates are not eligible to apply until their status has been restored);
- An international student currently studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution;
- An international graduate who has studied in Canada, whose studies have been sponsored by an agency or government and who is contractually obligated to return to their country of origin;
- On a valid federal post-graduation work permit whose occupation falls under NOC skill level C or D;
- An individual with unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any dependent;
- In a sales position that is based solely on commission for compensation;
- A seasonal, part-time or casual worker;
- An individual whose job is not based in Nova Scotia;
- A helper and/or labourer in construction, agriculture or primary resources sectors;
- An individual in Canada who is in the Caregiver Program;
- Intending to start a business and/or be self-employed in Nova Scotia;
- A passive investor (an individual who intends to invest in a Nova Scotia business with very limited or no involvement in the day-to-day management of the business); or
- Unable to provide proof of required amount of funds.