NSNP Physician Stream

The NSNP Physician Stream targets internationally trained doctors and specialists with the necessary skills to fill healthcare positions in Nova Scotia

The NSNP Physician 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 NSNP Physician Stream targets internationally trained doctors and specialists with the necessary skills to fill healthcare positions in Nova Scotia. The NSNP Physician Stream launched to support Nova Scotia’s public authorities — the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre— to employ general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians to work in the province and help alleviate healthcare labour shortages.

Physicians who are successful through this program will be able to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. This stream is ideal for physicians who have secured a valid job offer from one of the eligible health sector employers in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Requirement

Job Offer

To be eligible for NSNP Physician Stream, the candidate must have an approved offer for an opportunity as a General practitioner and family physicians (NOC 3112) or specialist physicians (NOC 3111). The approved offer letter must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and must:

• be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire physicians at the NSHA or IWK;
• be signed and dated by the applicant who is accepting the opportunity;
• indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS; and
• indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and the IWK.

Language Proficiency

The candidate must have the ability to perform the job in one of Canada’s official languages as evidenced by an employment offer from the NSHA or the IWK.

Level of Education

The candidate must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or show proof of education and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

Legal Status

If the candidate is living in Canada, the candidate must provide proof of their legal status as a temporary worker or visitor. If the candidate applies from outside Canada, they must provide proof that they have legal status in their country of residence. If the candidate has lost their status, they are not eligible to apply until their status has been restored.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Physician Stream are accepted at all times, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The first step in applying for the Nova Scotia Physician Stream is to gather and prepare all the application materials. It is important to review the Forms and Supporting Documents Checklist prior to submitting an application. Prepare and submit an application online by creating an account on Nova Scotia’s online service or via email to the NSOI. Once an application is submitted to the NSOI, the NSNP conducts a complete evaluation beginning with an eligibility and completion check. Next, the NSOI issues a decision on the application. If approved, the applicant will receive a letter from the NSOI to confirm that a nomination has been issued and the NSOI will be sent proof of nomination directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If the NSOI intends to issue a refusal, the applicant will have 10 business days to provide additional information before being re-assessed. Once a final decision is made, the NSOI does not perform an appeal process. If nominated, the applicant may request a letter of support from the NSOI to apply for a temporary work permit or the renewal of an existing work permit. The letter of support replaces a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when applying for the new work permit. The work permit allows an applicant to continue working in Nova Scotia while a Canadian permanent residence application is being processed by IRCC.

During the permanent resident visa application assessment, IRCC may invite the applicant for an interview and (if applicable) a spouse or dependents must demonstrate that they meet statutory requirements for medical, security and criminal admissibility. If approved for a Canadian permanent resident visa, the applicant, the applicant’s spouse and dependents will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. The nominee must contact the NSOI within 30 days of arrival to the province.

Ineligible Applicant

Individuals should not apply to the stream if they are:

• a candidate who has received a nomination under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program dated within the last 12 months;
• an applicant under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, a refugee claimant or a failed refugee claimant;
• not legally present in your current country of residence;
• in Canada illegally, under a removal order, or are prohibited from entering or being in Canada;
• an individual who does not have status. You are not eligible to apply until your status has been restored;
• 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; or
• an individual with unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any dependent.