Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) – Skilled Worker stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Stream Name	NSNP Skilled Worker Stream
Stay Duration	Permanent residence (via IRCC)
NSNP Application Fee	CAD $1,000 (non-refundable)
EOI Fee	Free
Eligibility Age	21 to 55 (except Physicians)
Job Offer Required	Full-time, permanent Nova Scotia offer
Work Rights	Employer-specific work permit supported
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship Pathway	Via federal permanent residency
Family Inclusion	Spouse and dependent children
Federal Application Deadline	Within 12 months of nomination

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Purpose

The Skilled Worker stream helps Nova Scotia employers recruit and retain foreign workers with needed skills when positions cannot be filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Successful nominees may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident visas for themselves, their spouses, and dependents.

This economic stream cannot be used for settling in another province/territory, family reunification, refugee protection, or humanitarian/compassionate grounds.

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Eligibility Criteria

Ineligibility Rules

Do not submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you:

• Were found to have committed immigration misrepresentation in the last 5 years.
• Lack legal status in your country of residence (or are on maintained/implied status in Canada).
• Received an NSNP or Atlantic Immigration Program nomination/endorsement in the last 12 months.
• Are in Canada under the Live-In Caregiver Program.
• Applied for refugee status (or were refused) or applied on humanitarian/compassionate grounds.
• Have an active removal order from IRCC or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
• Are currently studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Received a scholarship/award requiring you to return to your home country upon graduation and have not done so.
• Hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) working in NOC TEER 5 (unless applying under Critical Construction or Occupations In-Demand).
• Are self-employed, own/co-own, or exercise control over the employing business, or plan to start a business.
• Have a 100% commission-based sales job offer.
• Have a job that contravenes Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) policies regarding home-based businesses, telework arrangements, preferred trucking employers, or program integrity.

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Core Requirements (All Applicants)

• Job Offer: Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week year-round), permanent (no end date), located in Nova Scotia.
• Employer: Registered commercial business (Joint Stock Companies + permanent establishment under the Income Tax Act) or registered non-profit (Societies Act), operating in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years.
• Wages: Meets provincial employment standards and the prevailing wage range on the Job Bank Wage Report.
• Age: 21 to 55 years old (does not apply to Physicians).
• Settlement Funds: Sufficient funds based on family size (verified against Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off / LICO thresholds).
• Intent: Genuine intention to live in Nova Scotia.

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Category-Specific Requirements

A) Skilled Workers

• High school diploma.
• At least 12 complete calendar months (minimum 1,560 hours) of paid, related work experience within the last 5 years.
• If the job is in NOC TEER 4 or 5: Minimum 6 months of paid work experience with the supporting Nova Scotia employer.
• Language competency: CLB/NCLC 5+ for TEER 0, 1, 2, 3; mandatory test results of CLB/NCLC 4+ for TEER 4 or 5 (valid within 2 years).

B) Critical Construction Workers

• Employer must operate in the construction sector (NAICS 23).
• High school diploma OR proof of completing a construction-specific industry training program.
• 12 months (1,560 hours) of paid, related work experience within the last 5 years.
• Language proficiency: CLB 5 (TEER 0–3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4–5) from an approved language test taken within 2 years.
• Eligible NOC codes: 70010, 70011, 72011, 72014, 72020, 72102, 72106, 72200, 72201, 72310, 72320, 72401, 72402, 72500, 73100, 73102, 73110, 73200, 73400, 75101, 75110, 75119.

C) Physicians

• Approved job offer on official letterhead from Nova Scotia Health (NSH) or the IWK Health Centre under NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102.
• Commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from the Medical Council of Canada (issued within 5 years) OR proof of meeting licensing criteria with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
• Exemptions: Age limit, work experience proof, language testing, and employer 2-year history requirements do not apply.

D) Occupations In-Demand

• 12 months (1,560 hours) of paid, related work experience in the last 5 years.
• The 6-month prior work requirement with the Nova Scotia employer for TEER 4/5 does not apply.
• Note: No occupations are listed in this category at this time.

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Employer Obligations

• Must demonstrate local recruitment efforts prior to hiring (positive LMIA, proof candidate holds an eligible open work permit, or proof of advertising in 3 publications—including Job Bank—for 4 consecutive weeks within the 6 months prior to the job offer).
• Cannot deduct recruitment/immigration costs from the employee’s salary.
• Complete and sign Form NSNP 200.

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Required Documents

Document Type	Requirements
Job Offer	Form NSNP 200 completed by employer (or signed NSH/IWK letter for Physicians).
Translations	Certified translation + copy of original document + proof of translator certification (cannot be family or paid representatives).
Education	High school diploma, trade certificates, or Medical Council of Canada ECA report.
Language Tests	IELTS General, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada (maximum 2 years old).
Financial Proof	Past 3 months of bank statements or transferable investment statements (real estate and personal vehicles are excluded).
Status Proof	Non-expired temporary resident status in Canada or valid legal status in country of residence.

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Application Steps

[Submit EOI Pool Entry (Free)] 
          │
[Selection & Letter of Invitation]
          │
[Pay $1,000 Fee within 7 Calendar Days]
          │
[Assessment & Provincial Nomination]
          ├─► [Receive Work Permit Letter of Support to work while PR processes]
          │
[Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence within 12 Months]
          │
[Arrival / PR Notification to NSNP within 30 Days]

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an online profile. Entry is free and valid in the pool until selected, paused, or closed.
2. Selection & Assessment: If selected, you will receive instructions to pay the non-refundable $1,000 application fee within 7 calendar days.
3. Provincial Nomination: If approved, LSI issues a nomination certificate (valid for 12 months) and a non-expiring Temporary Work Permit Letter of Support.
4. Federal PR Application: Apply to IRCC for permanent residency before the 12-month nomination certificate expires. A single 6-month nomination extension may be requested only if IRCC rejected a timely application due to an issue that has since been resolved.
5. Post-Nomination Updates: Notify LSI (immigration@novascotia.ca) within 30 days of receiving Confirmation of Permanent Residence or arriving in Nova Scotia.

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Important Warnings

• Misrepresentation Ban: Submitting false, misleading, or concealed information results in a 5-year ban from all Nova Scotia immigration programs for applicants, employers, and representatives.
• No Guarantees / No Appeals: Selection, fee payment, or nomination does not guarantee work permit or PR approval by IRCC. All provincial refusal decisions are final with no right of appeal.
• Mandatory Reporting: You and your employer must immediately report any change in status (marital status, change in job duties, wage alterations, employer change, or loss of employment) to LSI. Nominations may be revoked if requirements cease to be met.