Nova Scotia Nominee Program – Nova Scotia Graduate stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Program name	NSNP Nova Scotia Graduate Stream
Stay outcome	Provincial nomination leading to permanent residence
EOI submission fee	Free
Provincial application fee	$1,000 non-refundable
Federal visa cost	Not stated in the source
Age requirement	19 to 55 years old
Education timing	Completed within the last 3 years
Work rights	Letter of support for employer-specific permit
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Spouse and dependents included in PR
Nomination validity	12 months (single extension up to 6 months)

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Purpose

The Nova Scotia Graduate stream is an economic immigration pathway under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) for recent international graduates with job offers in specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories in high demand:

• NOC 32102: Paramedical occupations
• NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians
• NOC 33102: Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• NOC 42202: Early childhood educators and assistants

Note: You may not use this stream for family reunification, protected persons, humanitarian and compassionate grounds, or if you intend to settle in another Canadian province or territory.

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Job Offer: Hold a full-time (minimum 30 hours/week year-round), permanent (no end date) job offer in Nova Scotia in one of the eligible NOCs matching their recent study.
• Age: Be between 19 and 55 years old.
• Education: Hold a high school diploma, plus a letter from an eligible Nova Scotia Designated Learning Institution (DLI) confirming completion of the qualifying program within the last 3 years before submission:
  • NOC 32102 & NOC 32124: Diploma required (program at least 30 weeks).
  • NOC 33102: Certificate, diploma, or degree required (program at least 24 weeks).
  • NOC 42202: Diploma or degree required (program at least 30 weeks).
  • Location requirement: At least 50% of the program must have been completed while living in Nova Scotia.
• Licensing: Hold all required certifications issued by Nova Scotia regulatory bodies.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 5 or higher in English or French. Test results must be less than 2 years old (accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada), or demonstrated through valid education/employment records where English or French was the main language.
• Legal Status: Hold proof of legal immigration status in their current country of residence. If residing in Canada, the applicant must hold a valid, non-expired temporary resident status document (e.g., work or study permit). Maintained (implied) status is not eligible.
• Settlement Intent & Funds: Intend to live in Nova Scotia and demonstrate sufficient funds/income meeting Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).

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Ineligible Applicants

You cannot submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if:

• You lack legal status in your country of residence.
• You received an NSNP or Atlantic Immigration Program nomination/endorsement in the last 12 months.
• You are in Canada under the Live-In Caregiver Program.
• You applied on humanitarian and compassionate grounds or claimed refugee status.
• You have an active removal order from IRCC or CBSA.
• You received a scholarship or award requiring you to return to your home country upon graduation and have not done so.
• You are self-employed or offered a 100% commission-based sales job.
• You have unresolved custody or child support issues.
• Your job contravenes Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) policies regarding telework, home-based businesses, or trucking preferred employers.

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Employer and Job Offer Requirements

The employer must:

• Be a commercial business registered with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies with a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia, or a not-for-profit registered under the Societies Act.
• Have operated in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years.
• Be in good standing with provincial health, safety, and labour authorities.
• Pay a wage that meets provincial employment standards and the prevailing wage rate on the Job Bank Wage Report.
• Not deduct foreign worker recruitment costs from wages.
• Demonstrate recruitment efforts for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (via a positive LMIA, proof of an open work permit / LMIA exemption, or three advertisements running for at least 4 consecutive weeks in the 6 months prior to the offer).

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Settlement Funds and Income

Applicants must demonstrate transferable liquid funds (bank statements for the past 3 months or fixed investment statements in their or their spouse's name). Personal items, real estate, and vehicles are excluded. Family income (including the applicant's job offer and a qualifying spouse's job offer) must meet or exceed the Federal Income Scale / LICO for the relevant family size.

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Application Steps

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit a complete provincial EOI form. Submissions enter the EOI pool.
2. Selection & Fee Payment: If selected, you receive direct notification to pay the non-refundable $1,000 provincial application fee and provide updated documents within 7 calendar days.
3. Assessment & Nomination: If approved, LSI issues an NSNP Nomination Certificate (valid for 12 months) and notifies Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
4. Federal Application: Apply to IRCC for a permanent resident visa within 12 months. You may include your spouse and dependent children.
5. Work Permit Support Letter: LSI provides a Letter of Support upon nomination, allowing the candidate to apply for an employer-specific work permit to work in Nova Scotia while IRCC processes the permanent residence application.
6. Reporting: Provide a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence to LSI within 30 days of receipt. Applicants applying from outside Canada must report their Nova Scotia address and phone number within 30 days of arrival.

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Nomination Extensions and Withdrawals

• Extension: A single 6-month extension beyond the initial 12-month validity may be requested only if an IRCC application was made prior to expiration, was rejected after expiry, and the underlying issue was resolved. No extensions are granted beyond 18 months.
• Provincial Withdrawal: LSI may withdraw a nomination if the applicant no longer meets criteria, provided false information, or is found inadmissible by IRCC.

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Required Documents

• Employer Forms: Completed and signed NSNP 200 form with detailed job duties, conditions, and supporting business documentation.
• Education & Credentials: High school diploma, Nova Scotia DLI completion letter verifying dates, duration, and local study residency, along with required occupational licences/certificates.
• Language Proof: Official language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF, TCF) or approved institutional transcripts/employment records.
• Legal Status: Valid permits or foreign residency documents.
• Financial Evidence: Past 3 months of bank statements and/or fixed investment records.
• Translations: Certified translations and proof of certification for any documents not in English or French. Family members and paid representatives cannot act as translators.

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Important Warnings and Obligations

• Misrepresentation Penalty: Providing false or misleading information, or concealing material facts, results in a mandatory 5-year ban from all Nova Scotia immigration programs for applicants, employers, and authorized representatives.
• Immediate Notification Duty: Applicants and employers must immediately notify LSI of any change in circumstances (marital status, job duties, employment status, employer, work location, or immigration status).
• No Appeals: Refusal decisions made by LSI are final; there is no administrative appeal process.
• No Guarantee: An EOI selection, nomination certificate, or provincial letter of support does not guarantee work permit or permanent residence approval by IRCC.