Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

Application Guide
Nova Scotia Nominee Program

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program

novascotiaimmigration.com
Contents

Thank you for choosing Nova Scotia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Is the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream
right for you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What you need to know BEFORE you apply . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
You must apply to 2 levels of government:
federal and provincial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
You are responsible for your application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
You may use a representative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Misrepresentations disqualify you for 5 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Criteria may change; streams may close. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
We may withdraw your nomination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Gather the documents you need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Documents in languages other than English or French. . . . 10
Documents related to your application to the
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Documents related to your work experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Documents about you and your family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Documents related to your immigration status . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Documents related to your move to Nova Scotia . . . . . . . . . 13
The application process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1. Create an Express Entry profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. Look for a Letter of Interest in the Express Entry
online system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. Apply to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream. 14
4. You will either be nominated or refused. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Accept our nomination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7. Tell us when you become a permanent resident. . . . . . . 16
Document checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Questions? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 2
Thank you for choosing Nova Scotia

Read this guide carefully to find out how you can apply to the Nova
Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) through the Nova Scotia Labour Market
Priorities stream.
This stream aims to fill the needs of our changing labour market. Therefore,
what we are looking for in applicants changes as the needs of our labour
market change. You must meet the needs of the current labour market at
the time of your application. These are posted on the Nova Scotia Office of
Immigration (NSOI) website.
Before you can apply to this stream, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) must accept you into their Express Entry intake system. We
send letters of interest to Express Entry applicants who meet our province’s
current priorities. You must have such a letter of interest BEFORE you can
apply to this stream.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 3
Is the Nova Scotia Labour Market
Priorities stream right for you?

This stream is only for people who meet specific labour market needs as
set out on our website. Applicants must also have a Letter of Interest from
us (NSOI) AND be registered in IRCC’s Express Entry online system. Read
the following 2 columns carefully to see if this stream is right for you.

The Nova Scotia Labour The Nova Scotia Labour Market

Market Priorities stream may Priorities stream is NOT right for
be right for you you

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Do NOT apply to the Nova Scotia
Priorities stream may be right Labour Market Priorities stream if
for you IF you meet ALL of the even ONE of the statements below
criteria listed below applies to you

• You have a valid Express Entry • You are currently living in a country in
profile number. which you are NOT legally allowed to
• You stated in your Express Entry live.
profile that you are interested in • You have received a nomination
moving to Nova Scotia. through the NSNP within the last
• You received a Letter of Interest 12 months.
from us (NSOI). • You have applied to immigrate
• You meet the criteria in place at to Canada on compassionate or
the time you received the Letter humanitarian grounds or to claim
of Interest. refugee status.

• You meet the work experience • You have applied for refugee status in
requirements for the Express Canada and been refused.
Entry stream for which you have • You have received a removal order
qualified. from IRCC or the Canada Border
• During your work experience, Services Agency (CBSA)
you did at least 51% of the main
duties set out in the National
Occupational Classification
(NOC) for your job.
• You have proof of your
immigration status in the country
where you are currently living.
• You can show that you will be able
to support yourself and your family.
• You intend to live in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 4
What you need to know
BEFORE you apply

You must apply to 2 levels of government:

federal and provincial

Level 1: Canada (federal)

First, create an Express Entry profile in IRCC’s online Express Entry system.
After you create your profile, you will get an Express Entry profile number.
You need this number to apply to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
stream. You will continue to use the Express Entry online system during the
application process.
In your Express Entry profile, you must state that you are interested in
moving to Nova Scotia.
After you have been nominated to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
stream, you will have to apply for permanent resident status with the
federal Government of Canada.

Costs
You must pay all the required Government of Canada immigration fees
when you submit your file to IRCC. For current fees, see the fee list on the
IRCC website.

Level 2: Nova Scotia (provincial)

If we find that you meet the criteria for a particular labour market priority,
we will send you a Letter of Interest through the Express Entry online
system.
Once you receive the Letter of Interest, you have 30 calendar days to
apply to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priority stream through our online
service. If you are successful, we will send you a nomination certificate.
Important! We will refuse your application if you submit it later than 30
calendar days after you received your Letter of Interest.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 5
Costs
There is no application fee for the NSNP, but there may be costs related to
your application. For example,
• translation costs if your required documents are in neither English
nor French
• fees charged by a representative should you choose to hire one
• fees for English or French language testing if this is required

You are responsible for your application

It is up to you to provide ALL of the documents we require including those
that you get from your employers, immigration representative, and anyone
who is immigrating with you. You must also ensure that all documents
are valid when you submit your application for this stream AND when you
submit your file to IRCC. If you are missing documents or any document is
invalid, we will refuse your application.
Important! You must tell us if your status changes at any time before you
receive a permanent resident visa. For example, let us know if your marital
status changes or if you need to add a dependent child.

You may use a representative

There are 2 kinds of representatives: paid and unpaid. Both can help you to
complete and submit your application. When you appoint a representative,
you do 2 things:
• You authorize us to share information about your application with
them.
• You authorize them to act on your behalf.

Unpaid representatives
As the name suggests, unpaid representatives do NOT charge for their
services. Your representative could be a family member, a friend, or
someone else.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 6
Paid representatives
Paid representatives charge a fee for their services. If you are using a
paid immigration representative, they must be authorized. Authorized
representatives must be one of the following:
• An immigration consultant who is a member in good standing with
the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
Visit the ICCRC website.
• A lawyer or paralegal who is a member in good standing of a
Canadian law society, barristers’ society, or barreau, or a law
student under the supervision of a recognized lawyer. Visit the
Federation of Law Societies of Canada website for links to law
societies across Canada.
• A notary public who is a member in good standing of the Chambre
des notaires du Québec or a law student under their supervision.
Visit the Chambre website.

Misrepresentations disqualify you for 5 years

What is misrepresentation? Misrepresentation happens when you or
someone else involved in your application does one of these things:
• is not truthful about one or more of the eligibility criteria
• leaves out information we need to assess your application

The people involved in your application include yourself, your immigration

representative if you decide to use one, and anyone who is immigrating
with you.
Important! If you are refused for misrepresentation, you will NOT be allowed
to apply to any immigration stream for 5 years.

There are no guarantees

Submitting an application and meeting the eligibility requirements for the
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream do NOT guarantee that your
application will be processed and assessed.
Even if you are successful and we nominate you for this stream, we cannot
guarantee that IRCC will issue a permanent resident visa. IRCC has its own
application process. They are the only ones who can issue these visas.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 7
Responsibilities of NSOI Responsibilities of IRCC
• assess nominee • assess work permits
applications (if applicable)
• issue letters of support • assess permanent
for work permits resident applications
(if applicable) • issue permits and visas
• issue nomination
certificates

Important! NSOI-issued letters of support or nomination certificates do NOT

guarantee approval by IRCC.

Criteria may change; streams may close

We may suspend the stream for a period of time or close it altogether. In
either case, it means that we will stop accepting applications, at least for a
period of time.
If we close or suspend the stream before we review your application, we
may not consider it even if you submitted it before we stopped accepting
applications.
There may be a delay between the time we receive your application and
when we can process it. During that time, criteria may change. We will
assess your application based on the criteria in place at that time. Check
our website regularly to stay up-to-date with all changes.

Decisions are final; there are no appeals

If we decide to refuse your application for the Nova Scotia Labour Market
Priorities stream, our decision is final. There is no appeal process.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 8
We may withdraw your nomination
We may withdraw your nomination at any time before you receive a
permanent resident visa and before you arrive in Canada for any of these
reasons:
• You no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the Nova Scotia
Labour Market Priorities stream.
• The Government of Canada has advised us that some information
in your application for permanent residency is false.
• IRCC finds that you, your spouse or common-law partner, or
someone immigrating with you is not allowed to immigrate to
Canada.

You may withdraw your application

You may withdraw your application without penalty at any time before
you receive a nomination certificate. There is one exception. You may
NOT withdraw your application without penalty if we know or suspect that
you have NOT been truthful or have left out important information in your
application.
If you accept an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC while your application
is being processed by the NSNP, you must withdraw your application to the
NSNP.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 9
Gather the documents you need

You will need a number of documents to complete your application. You

will have to complete some of these documents yourself. Some will have
to be completed by your employers. You will also have to get documents
from third parties such as educational institutions and governments. Begin
to gather these documents as soon as you know that you will apply for
the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream. It may take some time to
gather all the documents you need.
Important!
• All documents must be valid on the dates of your applications to
both NSOI and IRCC.
• All documents must be PDF files.
• Documents with images must be scanned in colour.
• Text-only documents may be scanned in black and white.
• The total size of all documents must be no more than 50 megabytes
(MB).
• Each file name must be no more than 50 characters.
• All documents must be clear enough to read.
• Scanner resolution must be 300 dots per inch (dpi).

Warning! We may close your application if documents are missing,

unsigned, unclear, or have been enhanced or edited.

Documents in languages other than English or French

Documents in languages other than English or French must be translated
by a certified translator.
• Submit a copy of the original document AND a copy of the certified
translation.
• Submit proof from the translator of their certification.

Warning! These people are NOT allowed to translate your documents:

• members of your family
• anyone who works for the paid representative you have hired to
help you with your application

If your documents are NOT translated by a certified translator, we may NOT

accept your application.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 10
Documents related to your application to the
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream
• a copy of the Letter of Interest we sent you
• documents showing that you meet the criteria for the draw you
have been invited to apply to. These documents change depending
on the draw. They are posted on our website.

Note: When we need to fill a specific need in our labour market, we create
a “draw.” Draws are issued for specific dates and for specific categories of
workers or professionals.

Documents related to your work experience

• documents showing that you meet the minimum work experience
requirements for one of these Express Entry streams:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
• letters of reference from previous employers. Each letter of
reference must be a single document written on company
letterhead and stamped with the company’s seal if it has one. They
must include ALL of the following:
- the signature of the responsible human resources officer,
supervisor, or manager
- the company’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, email
and website addresses
- the specific period of time that you worked for the company
- the titles of the jobs you held while you worked for the company
- the amount of time you worked in each job
- your main duties in each job
- your annual salary plus benefits for each job
- the number of hours you worked per week in each job
- the number of hours you worked in total in each job
- proof that your work experience meets the lead statement
definition in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for
your job and that you did at least 51% of the main duties listed
there
Important! We will refuse your application if you fail to show that your
work experience meets the description in the National Occupational
Classification for your job.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 11
Documents about you and your family

Passports
You, and everyone immigrating with you, must have a valid passport. The
expiry date of all passports should be at least 2 years from the date of your
application. Do NOT include the original passports in your application.
Instead, include copies of pages that show these things:
• the passport number
• the date of issue and expiry
• the photo of the passport holder
• the name of the passport holder as well as their date and place of
birth
• any changes to the passport holder’s name, date of birth, or other
identifying information
• any changes to the passport’s expiry date
• any visas or visits to Canada

Documents related to your immigration status

Include the documents that apply to you:
• If you currently live in Canada, include a copy of proof of your legal
status in Canada. Ensure that your proof is valid when you submit
your application.
• If you currently live in a country of which you are NOT a citizen,
include a copy of proof of your legal status in that country.
• If you have applied to immigrate to Canada before, include copies
of every letter you have received from the Canadian government or
any provincial or territorial government regarding each application.

Important! If you are in Canada on a work permit, your work permit must be
valid when you submit your application.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 12
Documents related to your move to Nova Scotia
You may provide one or both of the following:
• banking statements from the past 3 months showing all account
balances and transaction history
• statements from your investment portfolio showing fixed deposits
and the terms for withdrawing funds before the investment matures

This may include transferable funds in your name or your spouse’s name.
Important! Do NOT include real estate or personal items such as jewelry,
furniture, and vehicles.

Why do I need to include banking and investment information? We need to

know that you have enough money to pay for these things:
• your immigration costs
• your travel expenses
• the costs related to settling in Nova Scotia such as having enough
money for food, rent, clothing, etc.

You can find the requirements regarding the settlement funds for your
family size, and the form in which funds will be accepted on IRCC’s
website.
These requirements may be reduced if you are already living in Nova Scotia
or have arranged employment. In all cases, you must provide proof of your
financial resources in your own name. Officers assess this reduction on a
case-by-case basis.
We will refuse your application if it appears likely that your family income
will be below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). We calculate
the LICO requirement based on your family size whether they are coming to
Canada with you or not. Your family income includes these things:
• the income you will earn in Nova Scotia
• your spouse’s income even if they are not coming to Nova Scotia
with you

To find out if your income will be above or below LICO, compare your family
income to the minimum incomes listed in Table 1 of the Federal Income
Scale.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 13
The application process

1. Create an Express Entry profile

Go to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Express Entry website and follow the steps to create an Express Entry
profile. After you create your profile, you will get an Express Entry
profile number. You will need this number to complete your application.
You will continue to use the Express Entry online system during the
application process.

2. Look for a Letter of Interest in the Express Entry online

system
You must have a Letter of Interest from us (NSOI) to apply to the Nova
Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream.

3. Apply to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream

You must apply to this stream within 30 calendar days of receiving a
Letter of Interest from us. To apply:
• Submit your application through our online service.
• Include all documents listed in the section of this guide titled Gather
the documents you need.

• If you currently live in another Canadian province, explain why you

would leave this province and come to Nova Scotia.

Important! Be sure to include documents showing that you meet

the criteria for the draw you have been invited to apply to. These
documents change depending on the draw. They are posted on our
website.

4. You will either be nominated or refused

If you are nominated
If we approve your application, we will send you a letter through the
Express Entry online system telling you of your nomination. We will also
email this information and your nomination certificate to you or your
representative. You must accept our nomination within 30 calendar
days of receiving it. You do this through the Express Entry online
system.
The nomination certificate expires 6 months after the date it was
issued. You must apply to IRCC for permanent residence within this
6-month period.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 14
 If we decide to refuse your application
We will refuse your application if you do NOT meet the criteria for the
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream. We will NOT refuse you
right away. Instead, we will email you or your representative a letter
explaining our concerns or requesting further information. You have
10 business days to submit new information for us to consider. After
10 business days we will re-assess your application, including the new
information. We will then make our final decision and email it to you or
your representative.
We may extend this 10-day time limit in rare circumstances if you
request it. For example, we may extend it if you were in hospital or had
a death in the family.

If we refuse your application

We will notify you or your representative by email. This decision is final.
There is no appeal process.

We may extend your nomination

You can ask us to extend your nomination period beyond 6 months.
This will give you more time to apply to IRCC for your permanent
resident visa. You must provide evidence as to why you need the
extension and include any supporting documents we ask for.
We allow you only one such extension. This extension will expire 6
months after the original expiry date. We do NOT grant extensions after
one year from the original nomination date. After one year, you will have
to re-apply to the program.

5. Accept our nomination

You must accept our nomination within 30 calendar days of receiving
it. You do this through the Express Entry online system.

6. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence

After you accept our nomination in the Express Entry online system,
IRCC will send you an invitation to apply for a permanent resident visa.
Find out more about the Express Entry system on IRCC’s Immigrate
through Express Entry website.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 15
7. Tell us when you become a permanent resident
Contact us within 30 days of your arrival in Nova Scotia. Send us these
documents:
• a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• a copy of your passport
• your Nova Scotia contact information including
- your current address
- your phone number
- your email address

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 16
Document checklist

Check your documents against the list below. Be sure that you have all
the documents we have requested in this guide. We may ask you for more
information if we need it.

Criteria and Supporting Documents Who must provide

the document

NSNP Forms

❏ eNSNP 100 – Online application at Applicant

novascotia.ca/eNSNP
Any dependents
❏ NSNP 50 – Use of a Representative (optional. aged 19 and older
Use only if a representative has helped you to
complete and submit your application).
See You may use a representative.
❏ NSNP 60 – Authority to Release Personal
Information (optional. Use only if you want us to
send your application information to someone
other than yourself or your representative).
The person you choose will have access to
information about your application, but they will
NOT be able to act on your behalf.

Documents Related to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

❏ a copy of the valid Letter of Interest Applicant

❏ documents showing that you meet the criteria for
the draw you have been invited to apply to
See Documents related to your application to the
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream

Work Experience

❏ letters of reference from previous employers Applicant

❏ documents showing that you meet the criteria for
one of IRCC’s Express Entry streams
See Documents related to your work experience

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 17
 Settlement Funds

You may provide one or both of the following: Applicant

❏ Official banking statements from a financial Spouse or
institution for the past 3 months common-law
❏ Statements for investment portfolio and fixed partner
deposits and the terms and conditions for Dependents
withdrawing these funds prior to maturity
See Documents related to your move to Nova Scotia

Immigration Status

❏ Copies of passport pages as described under Applicant

Passports in this guide
Spouse or
❏ A copy of proof of legal status for the country common-law
where you are currently living, including Canada partner
❏ Letters from previous attempts to immigrate to Dependents
Canada
See Documents related to your immigration status.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 18
Questions?

Call (902) 424-5230 or toll free in Nova Scotia 1-877-292-9597

Email immigration@novascotia.ca
Fax (902) 424-7936
Write to Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
PO Box 1535
Halifax NS B3J 2Y3
CANADA
Visit online novascotiaimmigration.ca
Visit in person Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
1469 Brenton Street
3rd Floor
Halifax NS
CANADA
Find Nova Scotia Immigration on the following social media websites:

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (1 December 2020) 19