Canada Immigration to Nova Scotia for Skilled Workers
As per the 2016 Census, Nova Scotia is home to 55,675 immigrants, who comprise over 6% of the total population of this serene Canadian province. Nova Scotia is increasingly gaining popularity amongst prospective migrants, owing to its relaxed work-life balance, superior public infrastructure, social benefits, low cost of living, and enthralling natural beauty. The province recorded its highest-ever Canada immigration intake by inviting 5,970 permanent residents in 2018, bringing Nova Scotia’s population to an all-time high.
More than 67% of these newcomers migrated through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. The NSNP offers several exciting pathways or ‘streams’ for foreign nationals to live and work as permanent residents in the province.
Skilled workers exploring options for how to immigrate to Canada must consider the NSNP as a potential route for economic success in the country. Overseas skilled workers — who are qualified to fulfil skill shortages in the Nova Scotia labor market, which the local population is unable to fill — can be nominated for permanent residence (PR) under the NSNP Skilled Worker stream.
Skilled workers must fulfil certain Canada PR requirements to be eligible for this stream.
• Be between 21 and 55 years of age.
• Have at least a high school diploma.
• Possess a permanent full-time job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia.
• Have at least one year of relevant work experience. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers should already have six months’ work experience with the Nova Scotia employer.
• Have the required training, skill set and/or accreditation to practice the job.
• Demonstrate English or French language proficiency by scoring Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher in an approved language test. Semi-skilled or low-skilled workers are required to score at least CLB 4.
• Possess sufficient funds to support themselves and dependent family members while settling in Nova Scotia.
Eligible candidates can follow a simple application process for the NSNP Skilled Worker stream, to gain access the myriad benefits of immigration in Canada.
Aspirants must submit an online application to the NSNP with required supporting documents attached. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration will issue a nomination certificate to eligible applicants. Within six months of receiving the nomination certificate, a complete application for permanent residence must be submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a Confirmation of PR and PR visa.
Nominees may also request a Letter of Support if they wish to apply for a temporary work permit, which will enable them to begin working in Nova Scotia while their PR application is being processed.
Nova Scotia has the highest immigrant retention rate amongst the Atlantic provinces. 71% of the 15,000 immigrants who entered Nova Scotia from 2015–2018 chose to continue living in the province. Public attitude towards the rising Canada immigration levels has been largely positive and welcoming. Moving forward, this encouraging trend is expected to continue. As of August 2019, Nova Scotia has already invited 3,393 new immigrants, and is on track to surpass the previous year’s record-high.
