NSNP Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Experience – Express Entry targets candidates with express entry profiles who work for at least one year for Nova Scotia employer.

The Nova Scotia Experience – 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 Experience – Express Entry provides a pathway to permanent residence for the highly skilled applicants who have worked for a Nova Scotia employer for at least one year. The Nova Scotia Experience – Express Entry stream is aligned with the IRCC Express Entry intake system. Candidate must also be eligible for federal Express Entry pool through one of the three federal economic immigration programs – Federal Skilled Workers (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) and Canadian Express Class (CEC). The candidate must be between the ages of 25 and 55. The individual must demonstrate that they will become economically established in Nova Scotia and that they intend to live in the province permanently. Also, the candidates may have to attend an in-person interview in Nova Scotia. Candidates will be notified if such an interview is required.

There are two application routes to Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. Candidates may either apply directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), or they may be selected from the Express Entry pool by the NSOI. To be considered for this stream, candidates are required to have an active profile under the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online Express Entry system to submit a complete application to the NSOI.

Eligibility Requirement

Express Entry Profile

The Nova Scotia Experience – Express Entry stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry intake system. Candidate must have an active Express Entry online profile.

Language Proficiency

If a candidate’s Nova Scotia work experience was obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0 or A then they must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher. If a candidate’s Nova Scotia work experience was obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level B they must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to CLB 5.

Level of Education

To be eligible for this stream, a candidate must have completed Canadian secondary (high school) 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 IRCC if you’re educational credential was obtained outside of Canada.

Work Experience

In order to be eligible for this program, a candidate must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience or an equivalent amount in part-time experience. This must have been obtained while working with an employer in Nova Scotia. The work experience must be at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. The work experience cannot be gained through self-employment or while studying full-time. Also, the volunteer work, unpaid internships, co-op terms, etc. do not count. The candidate must gain their work experience in the province of Nova Scotia with the proper authorization like work permit, etc.

Application Procedure

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is open to new applications at any time. This stream accepts applications electronically via the Nova Scotia online immigration portal. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Nova Scotia. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Ineligibility

Candidates should not apply if they are:

• An individual whose 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in the three years prior to their application is not based in Nova Scotia;
• Intending to work in an occupation that is a NOC level C or D;
• A grandparent, parent, spouse, or common-law 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;
• Not legally present in their country of residence;
• An individual who does not have status;
• An international student who is 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;
• An individual in Canada who is in the Caregiver Program;
• Intending to start a business and/or be self-employed in Nova Scotia; or
• 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).